Week 31 Food Storage Challenge

 

 

50 LBS Beans / Cornmeal

50 Pounds of beans,  Walmart has Pintos for 13.42 for 20 pounds. Get the beans that your family likes to eat. You can get a variety pintos, kidney, black, butter beans or whatever you like and have easy access to.  

Cornmeal I don’t have a price on this. One way to store cornmeal, if you have a corn grinder you can get feed corn or cracked corn just make sure it is straight untreated corn. I have several bags of whole corn and lime so I can make masa for tortillas and I can grind it for corn meal. If you store corn meal do it like you do the flour freeze and for at least 72 hours. Nothing better than beans and cornbread HaHa.

The Action item for this month is to learn to make soap, if you can make soap then you can use it to make laundry, and dish soap. And it is so nice to know you have soap that you know what is in it and you can custom make it if you like lavender you can make lavender or whatever your favorite is.

 

The Extra item this month is Alterative clothes washing. A couple things here, you can get a toilet plunger (new would be best J ) and a 5 gallon bucket. You can also invest in a mop bucket that has the wringer for the mop that you can use to wring out your clothes, wringing by hand is not a whole lot of fun. I have seen on the internet little foot powered washing machines they are a little pricey but they wash rinse and spin.

Put back more in your water storage.

Add some more to our money stash.

Have a great week.

 

 



Fairy Garden

 

I have been wanting to do a fairy garden ever since I discovered them. Well this summer I finally got one put together. I had a small section of my yard that I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it. I had planted mint there but the weeds are so bad that they just took over. So with the fairy garden I could put down a ground cover and not have to worry about the weeds. I have several pictures since it is a little larger then most.  

 

I have a water fall fountain in one corner. The little cabin I got at an action, it was actually part of a pile that Andy had to buy to get the one thing he wanted. Score for me :). I used a lot of slik flowers to dress it up that way I don't have to worry about keeping them all watered.

 

 

OK I wasn't going to use this picture since it has a shadow, but it shows the middle way better ( disregard the  bags of mulch to the side ). I did buy the fairy house on the left at Hobby Lobby when it was 50 % off. I also got a few accessory's and a few fairies (can't have a fairy garden with out fairies, right)  to use. The barn I got from Wal-Mart it is a bird feeder but works for  what I needed.  

This is from the other end, I made a stream with blue aquarium gravel and lined it with rocks from the yard.

One more from the other end. Had to put the fencing up to keep the dogs out. Although the cats have found it so I have to go out every now and then and redo it. 

It was so fun to make and it matches my Gnome garden in the front. The little kids love it

 

 

 

Do you have a fairy garden or want one? 

DoTerra Essential Oil Uses

 

Photo from DoTerra

 

 

As I mentioned the other day I am selling DoTerra oils. I am pretty excited about this since I love using them. I do have to admit I haven't really cooked with them, so looking forward to trying that out.

I wanted to do a post on some of the ways to use them, only I am going to cheat a little. On the DoTerra site they have this post about them you can read the full article  HERE . Here is some of what it has to say.

 
Aromatic

The sense of smell is a tool that can elicit powerful physiologic, mental, and emotional responses. Essential oils are quickly absorbed by the smell receptors, which have a direct link to the limbic system by way of the olfactory nerve. The limbic system is part of the brain that supports a variety of functions including smell, emotions, behavior, and memory. For this reason, essential oils have an especially powerful effect via aromatic application.
Some essential oils induce uplifting or invigorating effects, while others are more calming. Diffusion is one of the simplest methods for using essential oils aromatically. Diffusers that use cold air or water are ideal. However, using essential oils aromatically does not require any special diffusing devices.
You can achieve the same health benefits by simply placing a few drops of essential oil in the palm of your hand that is then cupped around the nose as you breathe deeply.

I love using oils in my cleaners not only do they help clean they just smell sooo good. I have a couple different blends that I use in my diffuser to make the house smell good or when every one is sick and I need to purify the air or help with breathing.


Topical

Topical application is a very effective method for applying essential oils. Because essential oils have low molecular weights and are lipid soluble, they easily penetrate the skin. Once absorbed, they stay in the applied area for a localized benefit.
Although essential oils are readily absorbed, there are many ways to increase absorption. Using a light massage will increase the blood flow to the area of application, in turn improving distribution throughout the body. Use of a carrier oil can also increase absorption, especially in skin that is dry or flaky as it helps moisturize the skin and slow evaporation of the oil.
To decrease the likelihood of developing a skin sensitivity, especially on young or sensitive skin, it is advisable to use a carrier oil (such as Fractionated Coconut Oil) to dilute more potent oils and when trying an oil for the first time. The recommend dilution ratio is typically one drop of essential oil to three drops of carrier oil.
It’s always advisable to use several small doses throughout the day rather than a single large dose. Start with the lowest possible dose (1–2 drops). A topical dose can be repeated every 4–6 hours as needed. Because every individual is unique, the dose will vary for each individual based on size, age, and overall health status.

I do a lot of topical, I make a blend for Katie's migraines, for the girls cramps and muscle aches to name a few. And in a bath with some Epsom salts wonderful.


Internal

Certain essential oils have a rich culinary history and can be used as dietary supplements supporting a variety of healthy conditions. When you sprinkle cinnamon on your oatmeal, sip a mug of peppermint tea, or add fresh basil leaves to your spaghetti, you are actually consuming some volatile aromatic essential oil compounds.
Essential oil contributes many health benefits as well as flavoring and aroma properties to foods. When in their concentrated form, essential oils can be used as dietary supplements for more targeted and potent health benefits. Internal use is a very safe and effective method of application because of the sophisticated physiologic processes of our bodies.
When ingested, essential oils directly enter the blood stream via the gastrointestinal tract, where they are transported throughout the rest of the body. Essential oils are lipid soluble so they are readily transported to all organs of the body, including the brain. Then, like all things we consume, essential oils are metabolized by the liver and other organs and are then excreted.
The composition of essential oils is highly complex. Each constituent possesses a unique set of biochemical properties that react with cells and organs in different ways. Although these mechanisms of action are not completely understood, the positive end results have been demonstrated. However, the body is only equipped to handle appropriate doses of essential oils.
Proper dosing according to labeling recommendations and other professional guidelines should be strictly followed to avoid toxicity.

As I mentioned above I haven't really cooked with them I have used them in my water and teas, so looking forward to cooking with them already have several ideas where I want to use them.

How do you use essential oils? Would love to hear the different ways.

Why Wal-Mart

On one of my food storage challenge post I received this following  comment / question.


Do you realize the cheap rice and food stuffs at Walmart are the lowest quality and do not last like better grades of food. What are you doing to replace these stores when they run out? Is the soup from walmart canned in 'cans' or in boxes, the boxes do not store and the newer cans are often lined with a plastic than can leach toxins over time. Just a few notes to watch for.

Thought I would do a post on this to explain.

The reason I use Wal-Mart's prices
 
I always advocate for making, growing and canning your own. But I realize that not everybody has the time or are able to do that. I also realize  that money is very tight for most people. So some food storage even if from Wal-Mart is better then none.

Most everybody has a Wal-Mart near by.

These prices give you something to compare to especially if you find a sale price some where else. And this is a starting point, you obviously don't have to get your stuff from Wal-Mart.

As far as storing, I have rice from Wal-Mart that has been stored for close to ten years and it is still good. A lot of it depends on how you are storing it, if things are stored correctly they will last a very long time no matter where they are from. And if you rotate  there shouldn't be a problem.

As far as being able to  replace items, two thoughts here.

Food storage can be helpful in a short term crisis like a job loss, illness, unexpected bills ect.

In a long term crisis you will need to be able to live like our forefathers, grow and produce your own food ,be able to preserve it, eat in season , barter and be as self sufficant as possible. Most of which I talk about in this blog. Food storage can hold you over till you can get to point of producing your own food.

I hope this has answered the questions.

300 a Month,Menu, Week Goals.

Been busy this past week helping Joleen move out into her own place. ( It is going to be so strange not having her home.) She still has a few things left to get but for the most part she is moved out. She got a place with a friend not to far from here. I had forgotten how much stuff you need starting out, even just getting the basics. Luckily I had quite a bit of stuff I was able to give her, we furnished her house and a lot of kitchen stuff enough to get them started ( at least I hope).

With that going on didn't get to much else done. Did get 7 quarts of spaghetti sauce canned.

I started selling Doterra oils something I have been thinking about doing for some time now.
As you can see not much done, oh well always next week haha.

Goals for the week
 I want to get more spaghetti sauce canned (have you ever had a word that your brain just refuses to remember how to spell? I swear every time I go to write spaghetti I have to look it up, drives me crazy :)  )

Need to mow the back and front yards and mow down some weeds along the driveway.

Bought 2 cases of fresh corn yesterday so I want to put these in the freezer, I still have several jars canned from last year.

I got several yellow squash in my bountiful baskets so I want to put some of them in the freezer.

Move a lot of the daycare stuff to Joleens now vacated room.

Get flyers made for our upcoming music festival.

Replant the pots of flowers by the front door. Forgot to have the girls water them while we were gone so between that and the grasshoppers, they didn't survive. I found some replacement flowers on clearance sale so I don't feel to horribly bad about having to replant.

I would like to make several crock pot meals for Joleen so they have something to eat while trying to get settled in.

Hopefully I can get that all done along with all the have to do things.

300 a Month Challenge


Well as I mentioned a little while back I have had prepper and frugal fatigue, so I kind of fell off the wagon and bounced very far away from it. But I think I am back in the game again, I am going to have to start over on my 300 a month, pretty sure I exceeded my limit the past few months. I will start with August and that will give me 5 months to go, with 1500 dollars left for the year.


This weeks menu

Breakfast
Cream of wheat
French Toast
Cheese omelets
Oatmeal
Pancakes

To these I will add toast or fruit.

Lunch
Fish Sticks / tater tots
Mac & Cheese
Mini pizzas ( Homemade)
Grilled Cheese
Macaroni and Tomatoes

To these I will add  fruit, crackers, or something as a side dish.


Dinner
Stuffed Peppers ( peppers from Bountiful Baskets)
Mexican Steak
Steaks on the grill 
Cheesy Spaghetti
Crock pot Chicken Fried Steak
Beans

To these I will add a vegetable and appropriate side.


Snacks

Animal Crackers

Cereal

Apples

Granola Bars

Cheese crackers 

Andy's Snacks

Strawberry Shortcake

Peach Cobbler

What are your goals for the week ?

Have a great week.