Self-Reliance Tip of the Week- The Hard Knocks Education

Self-Reliance Tip of the Week - The Hard Knocks Education

The Pot Of Possibilities

Heavenly Father has a unique way of helping me learn the things I need to know. If He wants me to learn how to wash laundry by hand...my washer breaks. And, if he wants me to learn how to use alternative ways of baking...the element goes out on my oven. I'm just glad He knows that I know how to purify water, because I really would rather not have to be tested on that...moving on.

So, this week I have been practicing other ways of baking. What alternatives are out there?

#1 The Good Ol' Fashioned Dutch Oven:

The Dutch oven has been used for literally HUNDREDS of years! The Dutch had it all figured out a long time ago...smart little buggers. Dutch ovens are more versatile than just about any other way of cooking. They can be used for soups, stews, frying, and baking...even bread and pies! Dutch ovens work really well with Volcano stoves too. There is a REASON the Iron Rod was made out of iron...because like the Dutch oven, it is steadfast and faithful...and when seasoned correctly can sparkle.

I have really tried to avoid learning how to use the Dutch Oven because, honestly, wood fires and even charcoal can be intimidating. Modern spoiled people (me) aren't used to that kind of stuff, and what if I mess up? I could burn something. Yes, there is a learning curve. But Dutch oven cooking has so much potential! In the home of Paul Revere, they have an example of how a typical Colonial kitchen was. Now is the time to go and hug your counter tops and sink, and maybe even give them a little kiss; because a lot of fire poking and squatting was involved. Dutch ovens minimize that. If someone happened to fall into the cooking fire, life threatening injuries could result. Vigilance is key around open fire, but it can be done and some amazing culinary masterpieces can happen with a little practice.

For dinner last night I made Chicken Pot Pie with all FSF (Food Storage Friendly) ingredients: Here is the recipe I pretty much made up as I went along:

8 C of Water

3 T Boullion (home made recipe here: http://runningfoxes.blogspot.com/2015/08/self-reliance-tip-of-week-bulldoze-that.html)

Handfull of deh. onions

handfull of deh celery

handfull of deh carrots

handfull of deh potatoe dices

handfull of deh peas

2 tsp salt

diced chicken (I used fresh, but canned can be used also)

Brought to boil, thickened with flour/water mixture

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Biscuit topping (this was actually from a recipe)

4 1/2 C wheat flour

4 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp salt

2/3 C oil

2 T sugar/honey

mix well

Added 2 1/2 C water - very wet mix...

I plopped the biscuits on top of the chicken soup and put my dutch oven lid on.

I used 25 charcoal: 8 underneath and 17 on the top. It was ready in about an hour. The family loved it.

For more information on recipes and how-to's for the Dutch Oven, check out Jas-Townsend videos on Youtube. I love them!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkbuIP0kby0

#2 The Solar Oven

I have a Solavore Solar Oven. I love it. When there is sun. All you have to do is warm the oven and help it follow the Sun while stuff is cooking. That's it. When it is cloudy, well, look elsewhere because this honey isn't working for you today.

I have made biscuits, bread (more like rolls), casseroles, sweet potatoes, cookies, the BEST chicken ever, etc. in my Solavore oven. It has been well worth the investment.

For more information check out: http://www.solavore.com/

It is ALWAYS better to practice alternatives BEFORE the School of Hard Knocks knocks on or even bursts through your door and you land on your hiney. It is better to burn stuff now than when you might need the ingredients to sustain life. If you mess up, you can always go get pizza and try again tomorrow.

Self-Reliance Tip of the Week - Better the Second Time Around

Snowcone?

Last Saturday my family was really excited to go to our mountain and play in the newly fallen snow on our mountain. We layered up with our Southern Arizona gear (which would make an Eskimo shake a head) and headed up. Man! Who knew snow could be so cold? Within only a short amount of time, we realized how under-prepared some of the kids were. My three year old was uncomfortable quickly. We had fun, but it could have been so much better if we would have been better prepared. So, Monday we were headed back up the mountain to try again. I had found some small snow suits for the younger children that I had tucked away and had forgotten about. We stayed and slid and played for several hours completely comfortable. The three year old didn't want to get off the sled. 

What was the difference? I believe it is because the first time we didn't have the experience that we fixed the second time around. 

The world has experienced some unusual, extreme and downright crazy weather lately that has left many people without homes, electricity, and other necessities. If people were to practice before an emergency, wouldn't they have a better time the second time around because they kind of knew what to expect? 

That was our experience. Lets focus for a second on electricity and how necessary...or rather unnecessary it may be. Our ancestors for many, many generations lived without it. It sure is convenient, but can we live without it? Sure!

What alternatives do we have if we do not have electricity? What substitutes are available? I found this list on http://gottawannaneedagettaprepared.blogspot.com/search/label/EMPs

Think about every thing you do each day which uses electricity and technology, and come up with things that you can substitute.  Ask yourself, "What if I had no electricity.  What do I need to store NOW, to substitute for that item."

Here are some:

No electric washing machine?  Get some washtubs, and a wringer.

No Dryer?  Get a clothesline and clothespins.

No Electric drill, power saw, chain saw?  Get a hand saw, a handpowered drill, regular screwdrivers, etc.

No Electric wheat grinder?  Get a hand wheat grinder.  (I also have an antique meat grinder, hand powered.)

No electric sewing machine?  You might be able to find a foot-powered treadle machine somewhere.

No Computer or ipad?  Learn to hand write again.  Get pencils, pens, paper.

No computer files anymore?  You better have printed out all your recipes, and other important documents, in case you never have a computer again.  

No internet?  You better have all that stuff in regular old books, on the bookshelf, because you might not be able to look it up anymore.

No grocery stores, or trucks bringing food from faraway farms?  Better have food storage, plus garden tools and garden seeds, because you will need to grow your own food sooner or later.

This might be scary to think about, but if you have the low-tech equivalent, you will be able to make it through most crises and disasters better than someone who relies strictly on electricity.

I challenge you to become electricity free for a day or two and practice. You may not know how this will make your "second time around" better...maybe even enjoyable! 

Self- Reliance Tip of the Week - Self- Reliance "The Gymnast"

The home of Paul Reevere where he raised most of his 16 children

Several months ago my family was watching "American Ride" on byutv.org. This show takes you all over the United States and shares American History the way you've never seen it before. One episode talked about the Freedom Trail in Boston. We got the itch and saved so we could walk the Freedom Trail. It was amazing. 

We explored nearly half of the two some-odd mile trail with a tour guide who was dressed in period clothing and an amazing way of making history come alive. He played a man named "Isaiah Thomas" who (in real life) on July 14th, 1776 read the public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Worcester, Massachusetts. We learned some amazing things about Boston and American History. 

Did you know that "The Midnight Ride of Paul Reevere" is grossly inaccurate? Our tour guide shared with us the most amazing and hilarious story where the truth really was stranger than fiction. I won't go into the details of what really did happen, but I will say that Longfellow really needed to check his facts before writing a poem that would be timelessly incorrect...I guess facebook isn't the only place that happens. 

I would like to share with you what Paul Reevere really DID do. He was an incredible businessman who had to be close to chameleon-like when it came to providing for his 16 children. Here are some of the jobs he held when the economy would shift and he had to change things up: 

+ GOLD/ SILVERSMITH : This was the trade he learned from his father.

+ DENTIST : (he used his experience with as a silver smith to make teeth); he was also may have been the first to use forensic dentistry to identify the remains of his friend Dr. (Gen) Joseph Warren several months after the Battle of Bunkerhill because he had made some teeth for him that Reveere had wired into Warren's mouth.

+ ENGRAVER: He used the skills he had learned in engraving silver, he engraved tea sets. copper plates and lead metal mastheads (for the printing press). He was able to also use this gift to be a little outspoken and make political cartoons. 

+ BELLMAKER : After the Revolutionary War, he again wanted to change things up again. H decided he would make bells and made over 900 before he would be done with that business venture. 

+ COPPER ROLLER: His experience with the bell foundry gave him the idea to convert an old steel mill to manufacture copper sheeting. He covered the dome of the "New State House" in copper and had great success with this business...that he started at the age of 65. 

Paul Reevere wasn't the only one to have to do this type of "shifting" in order to provide for his family. A whole generation earlier the father of Benjamin Franklin, Josiah Franklin had come from a long line of blacksmiths in England. When he immigrated, there were too many blacksmiths in Boston, so he created a business making soap (woot woot) and candles to provide for his 17 children. 

It might be easy to assume that if one person goes from "job to job" that those talents cannot be utilized in another field. The only thing we can take with us when we leave this life is the knowledge we've gained while we were here. When we change things up a little bit, we can find hidden talents we didn't know even existed. When we open opportunities for us to be more flexible...like a gymnast...we open doors for greater opportunity for learning and blessing not only our lives, but the lives of many others.

If you can ever make it to Boston and walk the "Freedom Trail" you'll come back with a greater sense of the sacrifices that these brave people paved for us, If you ever do get to go, make SURE to get "Isaiah Thomas" to be your tour guide, because he was AWESOME!!! 

Self-Reliance Tip of the Week - Waste Not, Want Not

This is a buckskin suit warn by Pres. Roosevelt in his younger days...much like the suit made for my Great Great Grandfather

I have been thinking a lot about Native American Indians this week. They were taught to use everything on a buffalo or deer. I mean everything. They didn't waste a thing because it was such hard work to hunt the animal and because they respected life. 

I have worked on two deer hides over the last few weeks that were given to me. One has been in the freezer for a while and the other only a few days. Luckily, I wasn't the one to actually have to take the life of the animal. I've learned the most by trial and error how to tan the hides. But...thank GOODNESS for Youtube!! 

Here is the process in a nutshell: 

• Flesh the hide (remove any remaining meat, fat and membrane)
• Dry it
• Soak the hide for a few days (until you can tug a little and the hair comes out
• Take the brain (remember, we are not wasting anything) and blend it with a little water - work it into the hide (3 to 4 times)
• Wring it well and begin to stretch the hide
• After the hide is dry, rub it on a tree or steel cable
• Tadah!! You have buckskin leather
• The last step is to place it over a smokey fire and the smoke clogs the pores and makes it water proof. Without this step, if you hide gets wet, you'll have to start the process all over again. 

You might be thinking, what in the WORLD possessed me to even consider trying this? Well, a few reasons.

#1.  I have seen other people make it and I wanted to try.

#2 Another reason has to do with a little family history.

Many years ago, some of my ancestors, Warren and Clara Tenney settled outside of Show Low in the White Mountains. This was still Indian territory. During this time, the father of Chief (William) Alchesay had died and some greedy men didn't want Alchesay to become chief. They tried to kill him. He escaped and was badly wounded. He came to the Trading Post of my Great Great Grandparents and they took him in. They hid him in the storage room surrounded by food and other items. When the naughty Indians came looking for him, they couldn't find him and moved on. He was badly wounded and Warren and Clara somehow found his mother. Together, they nursed him back to health. Alchesay's mother was so grateful to them for their service to her family, that she made Warren a buckskin suit (which would have taken several hides). He was so proud of that suit, that he wore it all the time. As far as I know, he might even be buried in it, but I don't know for sure. One hide takes a long time and A LOT of work. I can't imagine how much time it took to make his suit. That is one incredible "THANK YOU!" When was the last time I said "thank you" like that?

Alchesay later became a scout for the United States and was a huge help to the US Government during the Indian Wars and was even given a Medal of Honor That's a pretty cool connections huh?  John Bourke said this about him, 

 "a perfect Adonis in figure, a mass of muscle and sinew of wonderful courage, great sagacity, and as faithful as an Irish hound."

#3. The last reason that I was interested in learning to brain tan is that the first clothes that Adam and Eve were given were "skins of beast" to "cover their nakedness"... Jehovah made them for our first parents. I think that is amazing. 

Learning how to brain tan isn't a "necessity" for everyone to learn. But we all must learn how to not waste. When Benjamin Franklin said, "Waste not, want not." it is because like the Native Americans we show Heavenly Father we are thankful when we do not waste the blessings he has given to us. We live in a unique time when we have the means to purchase necessities for the future. It is easy to waste money in our world today. We must also simplify. We have been counseled over and over to get rid of the unnecessary things in our lives. Now, that is great advice!!!

Self-Reliance Tip of the Week - The Veggies That Shape Our Lives...Ish....

My garden TOTALLY looks like this...ok, almost....

When I was in second grade, we had a spelling test. One of the words was "vegetables". I was in a hurry and spelled "veggies". For some reason I didn't get credit for spelling it right. Who knows? As the weather begins to change, so does our gardening needs. When the Word of Wisdom tells us to eat foods in season, we kinda have to plant it in season too. I have learned a little about this, but there's sooooOOOOooo much I don't know. 

I found this PDF for vegetables to plant for the Gila Valley and when. If you do not live in the Gila Valley, look around, there is probably an extension office or local farmer who could tell you what to plant and when for your area. 

Here is what to plant for Fall/ Winter: 

Veggie:    Time of Year:      Notes: 

Asparagus               Oct. 1 -   March 1            Transplant root cutting after frost

 Beet                         Aug. 1 -  April 1               Except extreme cold

Carrot                    July 15 - March 15            Succession planting for more carrots

Chard                      Aug. 1 -  April 1

Garlic                     Sept. 1 -  Jan. 1                 December is good

Kale                       Aug. 15 -  Feb 15

Lettuce (head)       Aug. 15 - Sept. 15             Can't take heat, goes to seed

                               and Dec. 15 - Jan. 15

Lettuce (leaf)         Aug. 15 - Feb 15

Onion

(green bunching)     Aug. 15 - Feb. 1              For green onion

Pea (spring)             Jan. 1 - Feb. 1

Radish                       All year

Spinach                  Aug. 20 - March 1           Chard is preferred by many - easier and higher yield

Here is the link: 

http://ag.arizona.edu/graham/horticulture/gila_valley_guide.html

I love gardening this time of year because many things that can be grown in our own yards are salad ingredients! Yay!!!  One of the things I could really work on is making my garden a little more attractive and getting my children more involved. President Kimball said this: 

"We encourage you to grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property. Berry bushes, grapevines, fruit trees—plant them if your climate is right for their growth. Grow vegetables and eat them from your own yard. Even those residing in apartments or condominiums can generally grow a little food in pots and planters. Study the best methods of providing your own foods. Make your garden as neat and attractive as well as productive. If there are children in your home, involve them in the process with assigned responsibilities."¹

There is so much more to it than that though...when we take the time to teach our children and grand-children about the Law of the Harvest by LIVING that temporal law, we all get a greater understanding. President Kimball continues: 

"I hope that we understand that, while having a garden … is often useful in reducing food costs and making available delicious fresh fruits and vegetables, it does much more than this. Who can gauge the value of that special chat between daughter and Dad as they weed or water the garden? How do we evaluate the good that comes from the obvious lessons of planting, cultivating, and the eternal law of the harvest? And how do we measure the family togetherness and cooperating that must accompany successful canning? Yes, we are laying up resources in store, but perhaps the greater good is contained in the lessons of life we learn as we live providently." ¹¹

Half a century ago, nearly everyone had a garden. Because foods are so convenient, gardening has nearly dropped of the map of amazing hobbies. Similarly to being disconnected with the meat that we eat, we have also lost connection with many of our veggies. Even though I may never learn to spell "vegetables" right, it is always the right choice to plant them, cultivate them with our children and reap the reward because homegrown tastes SO much better anyway!

Self-Reliance Tip of the Week - Rockin' the Homemade Ranch Dressing!

Nothin' really says "American Cooking" like Ranch Dressing. Hidden Valley Ranch made the most serene commercials of beautiful green farms and freshness. The only problem is, when you pick up a bottle of Hidden Valley Ranch, there are a few ingredients you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy if you knew how they affected your body. Here's a few to consider: 

• MSG (causes headaches, weight gain, skin rashes, nausea, heart irregularities, and even seizures in sensitive individuals)
• Disodium EDTA ( a purin - robs your body of Vit C and important minerals)
• Disodium Guanylate (also a purin flavor enhancer) 
• Disodium Inosinate (also a purin flavor enhancer)
• Other artificial ingredients and preservatives

Purines also complicate problems for people with gout (ouchie) and kidney stones (double ouchie). 

Bummer - but it tastes sooo good! I have a friend who lived for a time in China and they put MSG on EVERYTHING!! She had consumed so much MSG that she started to loose her hair. She had to have hair extensions for several years because her hair was so thin. After years of avoiding it and trying to cleanse her body, her hair began to grow back. 

So lets take a second and look at a Ranch Dressing Mix that you can make at home without all the junk mentioned above. It is food storage friendly and loaded with such amazing ingredients, you'll never look back! I found this website and I love it. I have purchased a few of her cook books. They are inexpensive and have great ideas. I got the original idea for the ranch dressing from this site: http://www.simplehealthytasty.com/

I played with her Ranch Dressing Mix recipe and made a few changes. I cut the dill in half because it was just a little too strong for my liking. But, everything else worked great. Here is the bulk mix with my changes: 

Dry Ranch Dressing Mix

• 1/4 cup basil (fights bacteria, reduces stress, detoxes liver)
• 1/2 cup dill (is helpful with insomnia)
• 1 cup parsley (reduces kidney inflammation, strengthens liver and spleen, a pint of tea daily can help remove gall stones)
• 1/2 Tablespoon garlic granules (anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-Nephi-Lehi...the list goes on...)
• 1/4 cup onion powder (contains necessary minerals and vitamins)
• 1 Tablespoon Real Salt 
• 1 teaspoon pepper

Mix everything together and mash with your hands. Put (or vacuum seal in a jar - wink wink) ingredients in air tight container. Use 2 table spoons per batch of dressing. 

http://www.simplehealthytasty.com/2012/08/ranch-dressing-mix.html

Now, all you need are a few more ingredients to make a dip or dressing: 

• 1 C Mayo
• 1 C Sour cream
• 3T apple cider vinegar
• Milk (rice worked just fine for me) to the consistency you want

Mix well and add dry Ranch Dressing Mix. Add more milk if you want. 

http://www.simplehealthytasty.com/2008/06/just-like-mom-homemade-ranch-dressing.html

If you want to make it vegetarian, simply substitute the mayo for Vegenaise and the sour cream with  

Sunflower Seed Sour Cream:

• 1 cup raw (not roasted) sunflower seeds
• 1 cup water
• 4+ Tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove pressed or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

Place ingredients in a blender and blend. Done (will thicken in the fridge). 

We can treat our bodies a little better than we do. Even though it is easy to be fooled by distracting commercials that couldn't be further from nature - our tongues as well as the rest of our body need not argue. We know the real deal when we taste it. Our bodies know the real deal when it is digested. I think it is time to rethink what All American Food means to us. The Dry Ranch Dressing Mix also works great for Ranch Potatoes and Taco Soup. These are great food storage meals that are easy!!

Sources for adverse effects of additives in foods: 

http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/diet-tips/7-ingredients-are-robbing-you-nutrients/slide/4 

http://saveourbones.com/12-dangerous-ingredients/

Self-Reliance Tip of the Week - How Long Will They Last?

I have a sick boy today, so this will be short and sweet...

In 2011 I vacuum sealed Oreos to see what would happen. How long would they last? I wasn't sure, so I am always experimenting. Four years later I cracked a jar open and fed it to my teenage sons. 

"Wow, mom these are so good!" 

I thought, "Well, maybe it is because they are teenagers, they're supposed to eat anything." 

So I tried one. They tasted like I just got them from the store. If ya'll don't have a vacuum sealer and jar attachment for your favorite comfort foods - you need to get one. 

http://www.foodsaver.com/accessories-and-parts/foodsaver-wide-mouth-jar-sealer/T03-0023-01P.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwwIKxBRDKhOz7ytT30vkBEiQAT1NaPdjnFghKnUWK8e_nQGGt3aivb8VancRcSA5yIXOiSxgaApz_8P8HAQ&kwid=productads-plaid^45349594235-sku^T03@ADL40023@ADL401P-adType^PLA-device^c-adid^55532708770