Thursday, July 25, 2013

Week 28 Food Storage Challenge

25 pounds Sugar / Canning Supplies

25 sugar if you have access to honey and would like to store some of that just get a gallon of honey instead of the sugar.

Canning Supplies jars and lids. I bought some of the tattler lids a little while back. I haven't used any yet but from what I have seen people are very happy with them. I will use these on some of the stuff that I use all the time. Try to get as many flat lids as you can. They can be stored for a long time, you just need to boil them for a little longer when they have been in storage.
Jars are a little pricey so any time you can find used. If you find used don't get caught  up in paying to much for them. I will  not pay over 4 to 5 dollars a dozen for used. When buying used you need to figure out what new ones cost and how much you will be paying for the used. New jars come with lids , bands, are clean and not chipped. With used they have no lids or bands have to be cleaned and have a risk of being chipped.
If you plan on making jelly you might want to also get sure-Jell. If you have a krogers or city market they have the cheapest sure-jell.

Keep adding to your water. If you are filling empty containers you might want to go ahead and get a few cases of bottled water.

Put a little more into your money stash. Even if it is only  a couple dollars every little bit is good.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Week 27 Food Storage Challenge

10 pounds of powder milk / Coffee and tea.

10 pounds of powder milk you can get regular powder milk and then repackage in jars I think you can oven can it I haven't tried that yet so not sure. Or you can get the  large sealed cans of it.


Coffee and tea I just get the cheaper coffee. My husband is not to picky about his coffee (Thank goodness) I try to pick up an extra large can every few times that I go to the store.

Tea we use tea bags so I get mine at wal-mart they have the packs of 100 for 1.18 they are not wrapped which I like a lot better then the wrapped ones.

Put back more water.

Add some more money to your money stash.

For this month your action item is to check your smoke detectors and learn where your shut off valves are for your utilities, ( water gas and electric).


Thursday, July 11, 2013

Week 26 Food Storage Challenge

8 Cans of tuna or canned meat / School Supplies

Tuna or canned meat you can can your meat ( you can read here how to ). Buy or can meat that you family will eat no since in getting tuna if nobody will eat it.

School Supplies these are all on sale now, get enough to last the whole year. Then  in the middle of the year when your child runs out of paper or needs something else they will need you will not have to pay full price for it. Also when they start putting school supplies  on clearance sale but for next year. And don't forget to get stuff for home like paper, pens, tape, glue and things like that while they are on sale. Try to get enough so if money is short next year you have some put back.

Keep putting water back.

Add a little more to your cash stash.

Also with all the tension in the middle east right now you should try to keep you gas as close to full as you can. If at all possible and you don't already have you should have a few gas cans with gas ( don't forget to add fuel stabilizer) put back.

Things in the world are not looking good right now so I hope everyone is putting back a little something. You will be glad you did, as you may well need it soon.

Monday, July 1, 2013

Make your own Insect Repellent


I don't like to use the store bought insect repellents because of all the chemicals, and the nasty smell. So I make my own we have been using this for a couple years and  it seems to work real well plus it doesn't smell as bad as store bought.

It is real easy to make you just need a couple empty spray bottles,witch hazel,citronella E.O.,Lemongrass E.O., Lavender E.O.,and Peppermint E.O.

 
Pour 1/2 a cup or with hazel in a small container, I just mix mine in the measuring cup.

 
Add 8 Drops of citronella E.O.
5 Drops of Lemongrass E.O.
6 drops of Lavender E.O.
3 drops of Peppermint E.O.
 
I use a dropper to measure out mine this way I  accurate drops.

 
Mix well
 

 
Pour in to your bottles

 
Shake before using.

 
This sure beats using the horrible store bought that is so bad for you.