Self Reliance Tip of the Week - Oct 24, 2013 - Salt! Glorious Salt!

Salt is a seasoning that has lasted through the ages! It is so amazing that it is even in the scriptures! In Luke 14:34 it says:

Salt is good: but if the ^bsalt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

I don't think I've ever had salt that has lost its savour. That is a sad day. So is the day that we forget how important it is to store salt! Our bodies need it! 

I am only slightly obsessed with Colonial America era. I love the clothing, the architecture, the Founding Fathers...I love it all! It shouldn't be surprising that we can learn so many preparedness lessons from this day in time too. They had no cars, no electricity, NO iPHONES??? But they survived! I have found a website that has many things from this time period that I periodically drool over when I have a spare minute or two. They have also been making cooking videos. Here is a video on how to preserve pork with salt (remember, they had no refrigerators) for several winter months.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdmPIpQZPRg

If you feel so inclined to check out their website, here is also a link, but beware - there are some amazing things on this website you might become as slightly obsessed as I :). Tell me honestly... wouldn't you just LOVE if this stuff came back in style?

http://jas-townsend.com/index.php?cPath=2

Self Reliance Tip of the Week - Sept 26, 2013 - Archive: What to do with all this Wheat?

A blog was started by a brilliant young lady when we were in Solomon Ward and we kept the tips coming until the ward split, shuffle and fruit basket reorganization took place. The tips are still available for your reading enjoyment at this link.

http://solomonvillereliefsociety.blogspot.com/search/label/self%20reliance

I've decided to take some information from that archive once in a while. It is always good to get a refresher on something you may not have thought about for a while. For some it may be old, for some it may be new, sometimes it is borrowed, and seldom it is blue. :) So here goes:

A question I get a lot is: "So, I have all this wheat...what do I do with it?"


Well, I was talking with my friend Marie the other day. She told me that a few years ago her grandparents served a mission in Adam-ondi-ahman. They decided as a couple that they were going to eat SUPER healthy. They made cracked wheat cereal, whole wheat bread, etc etc. They were so happy to be eating healthy...until...about a week into it, for the sake of the squeamish lets just say that her grandfather had some SERIOUS digestive trouble. 


Poor Marie...she didn't know why in the world he was sharing this information with her. Well, Marie, it is because our "Tip-of-the-week" readers needed something to...chew on.


One of the big mistakes that Grandma & Grandpa made was that this much wheat is not something they normally eat. Their digestive systems weren't ready for all that. Our society is beginning to see many food allergies to wheat, soy, eggs, milk etc. I won't get into the hows and whys now, but if we HAVE to eat things that we aren't used to eating, some tummies might not be ready for that. So...lets plan ahead.


Suggestion #1: Plan several meals that you usually eat and have those items on hand...say, 3 months worth :). 


Suggestion #2: Have at least one meal a week that is strictly food storage items. Pancakes are a good start :).


If you're going to be making Whole Wheat Bread, it is a good idea to also get "vital wheat gluten" found currently in the "emergency food isle" at Walmart. After many tries and failures, Sister Noelle told me that her husband uses the "vital wheat gluten" and 2 T to my 2 loaf batch turned out awesome!!! Thanks Noelle!


What if you have allergies to wheat? What if you want to cut gluten down in the things you currently eat in an effort to avoid gluten intolerance later? I have a tool for you! Check out Chef Brad


http://www.chefbrad.com/grain/articles.php?article=Wonder-Flour&qid=5

He has a natural "white flour" recipe and a gluten free flour recipe. I haven't tried them yet, but I'll let you know when I do.

Self - Reliance Tip of the Week - July 8 Vacuum Sealer Jar Attachment

Do you have a vacuum sealer? Did you know there is a jar attachment where you can use canning jar lids and seal all kinds of awesome things in them?

Things I have personally sealed: almonds, chocolate chips, and raisins.

Things I plan on sealing are: olive oil, walnuts, pecans, dried fruit, coconut, brown sugar, and more chocolate chips :),

Things you cannot seal this way: powdery stuff (like flour) it will get sucked up in the hose and stuck, things that need heat and pressure (like fruits and veggies etc).Here is are some links where you can purchase the attachment. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-FoodSaver-Mason-Jar-Sealers-1-Large-1-Small-HOSE-all-are-New-Vacuum-Sealers-/111075524336

http://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-T03-0023-01-Wide-Mouth-Jar-Sealer/dp/B00005TN7H/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373298166&sr=8-1&keywords=food+saver+jar+attachment

Make sure you get the hose attachment (sorry, no pic available)
http://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-420-13268-Tilia-Foodsaver-Accessory/dp/B002UORPR0/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1383323568&sr=8-7&keywords=vacuum+sealer+mason+jar

Self Reliance Tip of the Week - Sept 5, 2013 - Cheese Glorious Cheese!

For many families cheese is a comfort food (oouu pick me!). For other families not so much. If life would be hard for you without cheese, this is the tip for you!

There are actually a few ways to have your cheese for a rainy day:

1) One is cheese waxing - here is an excellent how-to video (not for mozzerella or cream cheese though...hard cheeses are invited to this party only)

http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=sYLKtFmIRoI

2)  And then there is learning how to make your own cheese...It sounds so complicated and not do-able in our modern day...but it is and it TASTES SOOOOOoooo good!

This is a website you can get starter packets (which I have and I have enjoyed making Mozzerella) - I got the 30 minute Mozzerella kit:

http://www.cheesemaking.com/store/c/1-Kits.html

When making your own cheese, you need to know there is a learning curve. But you can do it!

3) Freeze dried cheese is an awesome option! This is my favorite place to get it. It is a bit pricey, but you can buy it now and use it later. When stored in the proper temperatures, it will last many many years. I have cooked with it before (including grilled cheese sandwiches!) and my family didn't even know! My picky eaters were none the wiser!

https://www.thrivelife.com/catalogsearch/result/?order=relevance&dir=desc&q=cheese

Hopefully you can glean something worth your while in this week's tip. Have a great day!

PS - For those who might not have thought me completely crazy.... I want to let you know that I used my Wonder Oven to dye wool! Please ask me how! :)

Self Reliance Tip of the Week - May 1, 2013 - Italian Dressing Mix !

Sometimes when it comes to self-reliant thinking, you have to improvise. 

One of our favorite "food storage friendly" meals is Pasta Chicken Salad. Here is the recipe:

1 pint canned chicken

1 Box whole wheat penne

1 can olives

1 to 2 Tomatoes (or 1 16 oz can of diced tomatoes if fresh isn't available)

1/2 c fresh celery sliced (or 2 T dehydrated)

1/2 C fresh grated carrots (or 2 T dehydrated

1 pkg Italian Dressing mix (and vinegar and oil that goes with it)

Olive oil 

Parmesan cheese

Prepare Italian dressing according to package directions set aside. Cook noodles according to package directions, drain, rinse and cover with olive oil and put in the fridge. If you have dehydrated veggies, hydrate according to directions on the can and set aside. Drain olives and tomatoes. When noodles are cool, add veggies and chicken. Top with Italian dressing and mix well. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before eating. Yummo!

I had a small dilemma when I went to make it for dinner last night. Where did I put my Italian Dressing mix? It is time to improvise! I found this recipe and it was a wonderful substitute. In fact  I think it had more flavors than the mix I usually have on hand from the store.

Italian Dressing Mix

1 T garlic salt

1T onion powder

1 T white sugar

2 T dried oregano

1t. ground black pepper

1/4 t. dried thyme

1 t. dried basil

1T dried parsley

1/4 t. celery salt

2T Salt

In a small bowl, mix together the garlic salt, onion powder, sugar, oregano, pepper thyme, basil, parsley, celery salt and regular salt. Store in tightly sealed container.

To prepare dressing, whisk together 1/4 C white vinegar, 2/3 C olive oil, 2 T water and 2 T dry mix.

This was an easy family favorite to change to a "Food Storage Friendly" meal.

Self Reliance Tip of the Week - April 16th Peanut Butter Breakfast Energy Balls

I found this recipe book for shelf stable recipes. If you don't know where to start as far as using foods from your storage, this recipe book is an excellent place to start. You can print it for free at this link:

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/fsme/docs/SHELF-STABLE-RECIPE-BOOK.pdf

This recipe has been excellent for our family!! It is a good breakfast or snack recipe.

Peanut Butter Breakfast Energy Balls

2 C rolled oats

2T chia seeds (loaded with vitamins!)

1/2 c unsalted peanuts or walnuts

1/2 C brown rice syrup or honey

3/4 C peanut butter melted

Optional ingredients:

chocolate chips, dried fruit, flax seeds, wheat germ, cocout, m&ms, banana chips, 

Directions:

In a bowl, mix together oats, seeds, and nuts. Add brown rice syrup or honey  and mix to combine. Add melted peanut butter and mix until moistened. At this point you can fold in  1/2 c add ins. If making these when you have power, you can press into a 13/9 in pan and bake at 350 for 20-25 min or press in a pan and chill for 60 minutes. If you are without power, roll into balls. These do not need refrigeration.