Food Storage Made Easy blog

There are many blogs that address or focus on Food Storage. Here is one that has a feature some of you may appreciate. They have "Baby step" checklists that they send out to you every 2 weeks to help you obtain needed items for your 3-month supply and long-term storage. They even include recipes.

So, if you need Food storage information in increments, consider trying this blog for more information.

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/babysteps/

It's a matter of Gardening...Growing plants from seed using grow lights---Part a

We have a "guest blogger" today, LRH's sister....who really does have a green thumb. She has kindly chosen to share how she begins her plants from seed and why. If you are anything like the LRH, you get a little intimidated at the thought of this. But, it's just like learning how to tie your shoes, tricky at first thought....but once you try....it makes great sense and is such a good preparedness skill. My thanks to Jenifer B. for providing the information and photos:

This has been a work in progress and I still find different ways to improve it. The savings that you gain from growing your own garden far outweigh the initial start up costs. It’s rewarding, healthy and fun to see them progress from seeds all the way to harvest. It is best to learn to grow your own vegetables when you don’t need to rely on it. Although we live in difficult times, it is best to get started now. Once you get into it, you will learn what works and what doesn’t. Funny how this is coming from someone who absolutely hated working in the garden when I was a kid. I guess you appreciate it more when you are older and ‘invest’ in the process. Bottom line, anyone can do this. Yes, even my sister who claims she has a ‘black’ thumb (...and she is referring to LRH!). The secret is: information, the more the better and the Internet is a great source.

First of all, if you are going to attempt starting your garden from seed, start small. That way your investment is minimal. You can build upon it as you go. The general rule to starting from seed is timing. Count back 8 – 10 weeks from the last frost date in your area. Your local state extension service should be able to provide that for you. Otherwise consult the Internet for your zip code. You will use the 6-8 weeks to grow your seedlings and then 1-2 weeks to harden off your plants. This is a very important step before you transfer them to your garden. For more details on how to do this, you can look on youtube.com and videojug.com or go to forums.gardenweb.com/forums and look under the Growing from Seeds or Growing under lights topics. There are also forums that teach you how to start from seed without lights if this is what you prefer. This is just a drop in the bucket of topics on this website. These sites are where I gained my information and they have been invaluable. Remember, information is the secret.

How to begin:

Begin with jiffy pellets (see below). They are very convenient and not very expensive approximately $2.50 – $3.00 for 25 pellets.

With a little water the pellets expand.

Then, just plant and label your seeds and you’re on your way.

Starting off Small

You don’t have to go all out to start plants from seed. You can use the baggie method or the coffee filter/paper towel method. Again, consult the websites for more information. I use the fluorescent light method. The following setup is from when I first started. My husband built the box for me but you can find an ‘over the sink’ – extendable wire shelf at Walmart for less than $10 that will do the same thing. But here are pictures of my first attempt. It worked great.

The shoe shelf was purchased at K-mart for less than $5. As the seedlings grow, you can remove the legs of the shelf to allow for growth. A thermometer (found at the local dollar store) is not essential but it has come in handy as you want to keep your temperature between 55-75 degrees. It’s simply attached with duct tape.

Then use the Press–n–seal wrap to to wrap around the outside of the shelf. It’s great because it self sticks, so no tape. This helps hold in warmth. To germinate seeds, you need just that. Warmth. Not hot, just warm around 65-70 degrees. You don’t have to use light to do this. You can use an old heating pad, (one that will not auto shut-off after an hour or so) and turn it on low or on top of a refrigerator or freezer. But I kept them in the ‘box’ with the light and heating pad, then wrapped it with press-n-seal.

This is the end of "Part A"

It's a matter of ....Earthquake preparedness

Along the Wasatch Front in Utah, we are in prime Earthquake territory. In the Sunday paper this week, the following handbook was inserted:

"Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country:

Your Handbook for Earthquakes in Utah"

Not only is there information on the prevalence of Earthquakes in our area, but reasons and suggestions of how you should prepare your homes, and your families. Suggestions are also made for how to meet your family in times of crisis, how to contact family members through a contact outside of the disaster zone, and other very pertinent information. It would be a great Family Home Evening subject.....perhaps with some buffering for younger children. Make it a priority.

If you didn't get the Sunday paper, try the following link:

http://geology.utah.gov/online/pdf/eq_handbook.pdf

Make a special breakfast for Conference morning....

Mmmmmm, homemade pancakes....warm and delicious on a frosty morning. Since we all have some "together time" on the morning of Conference, consider making the following for your family. You can be a hero in a heartbeat! And, you will be using staples form your Food Storage as well!!!!

Whole Wheat Blender Pancakes (http://www.dvo.com/recipes_archive/Whole_Wheat_Blender_Pancakes.html)

1 cup golden whole wheat

1 1/2 cups milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 egg

3 teaspoons baking powder

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

Blend 1 cup of milk with wheat for 2-3 minutes add rest of milk and blend for another 2-3 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend. Cook on a hot skillet until done. Makes 5 servings. (LRH found that she had to add a little extra flour to thicken this mix, also blend much longer than it states to ensure the wheat berries are really finely ground)

And, you always need delicious syrup to go with it. Here is a recipe to try!

Maple Syrup Substitute Recipe
http://homecooking.about.com/od/condimentrecipes/r/blcon119.htm

Ingredients:
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon maple extract or vanilla extract

Preparation:Place granulated sugar in a heavy skillet. Heat until the sugar melts and turns brown. Meanwhile, place brown sugar into a heavy saucepan. Pour water over brown sugar and bring to a boil without stirring. Add caramelized white sugar to the melted brown sugar in the saucepan. Simmer, stirring often, until syrup is thickened. Remove from heat, and whisk in butter and maple or vanilla extract. Serve maple syrup substitute warm over pancakes, waffles, and biscuits. Yield: about 1 cup

Have a happy Breakfast!!!!!!!

It's a matter of ....a Food Dehydrator and Dehydrating your food.

This is a L'Equip Delux Food Dehydrator.  A Dehydrator gives you many options to preserve your food. This one is traditionally rated very highly. This style of Dehydrator has the advantage of pulling air across the trays and reportedly you get more even dehydration.

There are other models such as the AMERICAN HARVEST Snackmaster Express™ which is also readily available.  This is the one I have, and it has served our family well. This unit pulls air vertically, and to get even dehydration, you sometimes may have to rotate the racks. It is very easy to do.

I do have a Powerpoint class that I can send as an attachment in an email if you would like more information. YOU DO NOT NEED TO PURCHASE A COMMERCIAL DEHYDRATOR TO DEHYDRATE FOOD. There are options such as using your oven, using window screening, mesh bags, etc. The powerpoint demonstrates and explains many methods that you can use. The presentation also explains how you would use your Dehydrated foods in preparing meals.

If you are thinking "I never use foods that are dehydrated", think again. Rice & Noodles are dehydrated as are many of your spices. Many convenience foods such as Scalloped Potato mixes contain dehydrated foods.

Please let me know if you would like further information. Please see the attached videos (from YouTube) taught by a lady who really knows what she is doing. This is the 1st in a series that she does and I encourage you to watch all of them. Youtube will prompt you with choices when the video is completed and you can choose the next video in the series. She has included a bit of "preaching" about her views, but her techniques and suggestions for dehydrating are excellent. Best wishes in attempting something new!