$1.04!!!!

After using coupons for so long now I don't know how I ever got by with out them!! I went to Target yesterday and got a killer deal!! I bought 12, 3 packs of Crystal light. .99 cents each. I also bought 8 Johnson Buddies soaps. .97 cents each. Finally I bought a 4 pack of fruit chillers. I believe thats what they are called. $2.04 regular. Now to my coupons. I had (I don`t remember the exact amounts of each coupon) some $2 off 2 packages of crystal light and I had some $1 off 1 package. I had enough coupons to get 12 packages total for FREE!!! I had 2 coupons for the buddies soap that were $3 off 3 and I had 2 coupons that were $1 off 1 soap. After the coupons they were FREE!!! I`m on a pretty good roll so far hu!! The fruit chillers were $2.04 each and I had a coupon for $1 off. So they were $1.04.

I then went to WINCO and bought 2 boxes of ritz crackers and 2 boxes of wheat thins. I had 2 coupon for FREE wheat thins when I bought ritz. So I bought the ritz of course with a coupons for those. I had 2 $2 off coupons so that brought the price down from $2.25 or so to $1.25!! For all the crackers I paid $2.50!!! For everything you see in the pic I paid $3.29!!

I just found some more crystal light coupons, enough to get 6 more 3 packs for FREE!!

Want to know my savings for the day?? If I had paid full price for everything I would have spent $30.08. Remember I only paid $3.29 for all this. That is about a 90% savings!!!! Pretty impressive!!

Awesome shopping trip today!!!

My Mom and I went shopping today. I have come to love grocery shopping thanks to coupons!!! We went to a few stores. We started out at WINCO. I bought: 4 bottles of Kraft BBQ sauce, 3 containers of McCormicks pepper and 8 containers of Kraft individuals mac 'n' cheese, for a grand total of $4.11 Can you believe that!!!! I will explain how I did that. The Kraft BBQ sauce was on sale for .98 cents. I had 4 coupons for $1 off 1 bottle. So there for the BBQ sauce was FREE!! The McCormiks pepper was on sale for I think $1.29. I had 3 coupons for .75 cents off of 1. I paid .50 cents each. Finally the mac 'n' cheese was on sale for about .77 cents each. I had 4 coupons that were $1 off 2. I paid about .25 cents each. I was so excited when I saw my total.

Next we went to Rite Aid and I bought 3 packages of Trident gum regular price $1.29 on sale for .99 cents. I had 3 coupons for .75 cents off 1. I paid .75 for 3 packages of gum. AWESOME!!!

We then went to Fred Meyers where I hit the mother load. Oh my goodness it was so cool. I bought: 8 boxes of Kelloggs frosted mini wheats. They are regular $4.50 each. They were on sale for 2/$6. BUT Freddies had a coupon that dropped the price to 2/$3. Pretty good hu...NOPE!!! There was a limit of 8 with this 1 coupon. When you stack coupons you get even better deals. I used the freddies 2/$3 coupon PLUS 6 coupons for mini wheats that were $1 off 1 box. So that dropped the price from 2/$3 to 2/$1...thats right .50 cents each!!! I had 1 coupon for $1.50 off 2 boxes. So those were 2/$1.50 or .75 cents each. All in all I spent $4.50 for 8 boxes of the cereal. Now that is a great deal.

I also bought 3 boxes of band aids. Regular price $1.99 on sale for $1.40 but I had 3 coupons for $1 off 1 box. That dropped my band aids to .50 cents each.

I bought 2 large boxes of pop tarts. I`m not sure what the regular price is but I believe its just over $3 each. They were included in the 2/$3 coupon that I used on my cereal. But once again I am not satisified with the store prices so of course I had a coupon. It was $1/2 boxes. It dropped the price to 2/$2 which is pretty good. $1 per box.

I spent for all this plus some bananas and 2 bags of salad, which of course was on sale, $12!!!!! Pretty awesome!!!

At safeway I bought 4 bottles of Kraft Mayo, regular price $4.29 (just over $17 for all 4 reg. price) on sale for $2.50. I used 4 $1 off coupons plus a Safeway double coupon. The double coupon doubles upto .50 cents. So it was an extra $2 off. This dropped my price down to $4. That is an incredible savings of almost $14!!!

I tell you I have gotten so into coupons that I have a hard time buying anything at regular price now. I wont spend more than $1 for cereal anymore.

Using coupons might not sound like fun or sound too time consuming but I have come to enjoy it. I enjoy sitting down on Sundays and looking through all the adds and clipping coupons. It has become relaxing to me. It does take time to plan and figure out what you are going to do ect. But think of the savings. $14 on mayo alone. $31.50 on cereal. On those 2 items alone I saved $45.50 today. Who doesnt need the money these days. What a great way to save money and build your food storage at the same time. If you ever have questions or want to start using coupons but arent sure how/where to start feel free to give me a call or email me. I would love to help you.

Enjoy

Graham Crackers

I just learned how to make the best graham crackers I just had to share. They are so much better than store bought and so much cheaper as well. To see a video of how to make these go to

http://everydayfoodstorage.net/2009/04/29/graham-crackers-whole-wheat-food-storage-recipes/food-storage-recipes

I just cant tell you how good these are!! In Crystal`s video she says that in a pinch you can use tin foil to roll the dough out in. I tried that and I got so frustrated that I threw it all away. I would not suggest using tin foil at all. I ended up pressing my dough out on the cookie sheet with my fingers. It worked for me. Just find what works for you and go with it!!

Graham Crackers

1/3 c. shortening
3/4 c. + 1 Tbs. sugar or brown sugar
3 Tbs. warmed honey
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 c. wheat
1 1/4 c. white flour
1 1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 c. + 2 Tbs (5 oz.) water
1-2 tsp. cinnamon

Combine the shortening, sugar, honey, and vanilla and blend it until it is combine. This will look like cookie dough after you have creamed the ingredients. Add the dry ingredients into the dough. SLOWLY add the water to the dough. You want the dough to slowly clump up like bread does. Divide the dough into 1/3`s to make it easier to roll out. Cut 2 pieces of parchment paper the size of your cookie sheet. Put 1 piece down on the counter with the side that wants to roll down. Place the dough on the paper and then place the other parchment paper on top. You will roll the dough out between the parchment paper. You want the dough to be THIN!!! About 1/16" thin!! Grease the cookie sheet and flip the rolled out dough onto the sheet. Trim the edges so they are just short of touching the edge of the pan. Use those pieces you cut off to fill in any empty spaces you have. Score the dough into the size of crackers you want with a pizza cutter but do not cut clear through!! Poke each cracker with a fork or toothpick. Bake 300 deg 22-24 minutes until light brown. Cool before breaking apart.

Enjoy!!

Coupons

Ok so I am a total and complete coupon nerd!!! I am ok with that though. I have to share my experience I had today. I have been using coupons for a month or 2 now. I have had some GREAT deals. .50 cents for brand name cereal that was normally $4.50. Not too shabby. I was thrilled. I have never gotten anything for free like you hear all the time though.

So today was the last day of Safeway's add and they had a sale, buy 10 or more of certain items and get them for $1 each. 1 of the items was the toothpaste I use...Aquafresh. I thought for $10 I can get a year supply of toothpaste. Not too shabby. After I picked out the toothpaste I thought I would just walk around and see if there was anything else I wanted while I was there. I remembered that I had coupons for toilet paper. So I went to look at that. Sure enough that was. And not only was it on sale it was part of the buy 10 items get them for $1 each sale but I also had a coupon. I had 3 coupons for .50 cents off. So I was going to get the toilet paper (4 roll pack) for .50 cents each. Awesome I was thinking. Then it hit me. I need to use a double coupon. So I was able to double those 3 coupons. Thats right...I got the toilet paper for FREE!!! I could not believe it. It was so cool. I could not wait to get out to the van so I could call someone...anyone. And to think that I was not going to go to Safeway this week.

For the 3 packs of toilet paper and the 7 tubes of toothpaste I spent $7.79. Now THAT is great deal!!! That is what you call provident living!!!

Couponing is something that I will be talking about in my food storage group. I have shaved $40 off my weekly grocery budget. I am still learning how to use coupons and getting the "art" of it down. I hope to cut more off in the weeks to come.

Enjoy

Oh...Wow...Flour tortillas

A few weeks ago I was looking for a recipe for homemade tortilla shells. I found one I thought would be good. So I made them and then threw them away!! They were REALLY bad. I promised my self I would NEVER make tortillas again. They turned out that bad!! My favorite site, http://www.everydayfoodstorage.net , just added a tortilla recipe. I have yet to try a recipe from Crystel that I have not liked. So I decided to try to make burritos for dinner. As soon as I had the dough made I knew these were going to turn out. I was just not prepared for how good they were going to be. After taking a bite of my burrito it was like oh...wow...they were so good. Even my kids, including Cody, said they were so much better than store bought and they want me to make these from now on. So here is the recipe.

Flour Tortillas
2 c. flour (any mixture you want, white or wheat)
½ tsp. salt
1 heaping ¼ tsp. baking powder
¼ c. oil
2/3 c. hot water

Mix all ingredients in food processor. I did mine in my kitchen aid and it seamed to work just gine. Mix until it forms a ball of dough. Cover with a damp cloth and allow to rest for 15 minutes. Uncover and form until balls of dough just larger than a golf ball. Cover with damp cloth and allow to rest for 15 minutes – 1 hour. Flatten and roll out. Cook on hot skillet flipping when bubbles form.

If you want to watch a video on how to make these go to

http://everydayfoodstorage.net/2009/04/21/fresh-homemade-tortillas-food-storage-recipes/food-storage-recipes#comment-4487

Crystal always makes really great how to videos!!

Enjoy!!!

New Adventure

I haven`t posted in a while. I have been busy starting a new group for church. I have been asked by several ladies to start a food storage group. After thinking about it for a while I decided that it would be fun. So I have been coming up with different ideas to talk/learn about. I have come up with what I think are some really good ideas. If I am not posting new recipes it is because I am busy working on getting my group started. I will be posting not only recipes but also different topics pertaining to food storage and things that we are going to be doing/talking about. Wish me luck on this new adventure I am about to embark on. Also if you have any ideas that you think for my group let me know. I am open to all!! Thanks

This is a picture of my new Shelf Reliance shelf. I LOVE it!!! I want another one so bad!!! With time though they are pretty spendy.

Enjoy

Spaghetti Zucchini Bake & Oatmeal Buttermilk Pancakes

So I have been slacking on posting. I have tried several new things that I just have not had time to put up. I have a few minutes so I will try to get a few of them up. I have had so much fun trying all these new recipes. And I must say...I have lost 10 pounds in the process. YEAH!!! I did make some cookies the other day that were SO good I decided NOT to put the recipe in the cookbook I am making for myself and a few others. They were just too good so sorry I wont be passing that one on. If you have not checked out http://everydayfoodstorage.net yet, do, she has so much good info there. Anyways here is a few recipes that I tried and LOVED.

Spaghetti Zucchini Bake

1 lb. Penne or Macaroni Pasta
1 1/2 lb. Italian Sausage, cooked
2 cans 14 oz. Diced Tomatoes
1-2 cans Mushrooms (optional)
1 can Tomato Paste
1/4 c. Dehydrated onions
1-2 Cloves of Garlic
4-5 c. Zucchini, cut into large chunks
1 tsp. Oregano
2 tsp. Basil
2 c. Mozzerella Cheese, grated
Salt to Taste

Cook your pasta in boiling water until tender. Combine diced tomatoes, mushrooms, tomato paste, garlic, oregano, and basil in large pot. Heat to boiling and simmer for 5- 10 minutes.
While the noodles are cooking, cook the Italian sausage. Place zucchini chunks in a bowl and microwave for 3 minutes (just to cook them slightly). Add zucchini and meat to sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Add in noodles and 1 c. of cheese and stir. If you don’t want to heat up your oven just place remaining cheese on the table for people to top with. Place Spaghetti Zucchini Bake in a 9×13 casserole dish and top with remaining cheese. Place under broiler until cheese is melted. Make sure and watch it so the cheese doesn’t burn.

Another good recipe I have tried was:

Oatmeal Buttermilk Pancakes

1 1/3 c. oatmeal
2 c. (1 pt.) buttermilk (see page on how to make your own)
½ tsp. salt
1 ½ c. wheat
½ tsp soda
1 egg (2 Tbs. egg powder + ¼ c. water)
2 Tbs. butter melted

Soak your oatmeal and milk for about 30 minutes. If you are using regular oats and not quick oats, soak them over night. ( I soaked my regular oats for 30 minutes and I think they turned out just fine.) Mix your dry ingredients into the milk/oatmeal. Then stir in the egg and melted butter.

I will try to get some more recipes posted soon.

Enjoy

McDonalds Cheeseburger Mac n Cheese

If you are looking for a quick & simple meal that your kids will love look no farther. This is the one for you. This TRULY tastes & smells like a cheeseburger.

Here is an awesome tip that I got from everydayfoodstorage.net. If you havent gone to her site yet you should. She has the best tips n tricks. So here is one. When she buys her ground beef she brings it home and cooks it. You could add your onion to it, that is my thinking since I add onion to ALL ground meats. After she cooks it she put it into freezer bags/sealer bags and freezes them. I have NEVER thought to do that. What a great idea. That would save you so much time. Ok so here is the recipe.

McDonald’s Cheeseburger Macaroni and Cheese Ingredients:

2 c. white sauce from magic mix (see below)
2 c. uncooked macaroni
2 c. cheese
1-2 tsp. salt or garlic salt (optional)
½ c. ketchup
1 T. yellow mustard
1 lb. cooked ground beef
¼ c. Dehydrated Onion (cook hamburger, no need to hydrate)
1 Bag Frozen Mixed Vegetables

Directions:

Cook Macaroni in boiling water until tender. Cook hamburger while macaroni cooks. Drain macaroni and make white sauce in empty pot. Combine all ingredients and heat through.

Magic Mix White Sauce-makes 1 C.

2/3 C. Magic Mix (see previous posts on how to make)
1 C. Water

In saucepan combine Magic Mix and water. Stir rapidly over medium heat until it starts to bubble.

Enjoy

Southwestern White Chili

I made this chili for dinner last night. It was so good!! You have to try this recipe.

Southwestern White Chili

Ingredients:

1 c. onion (¼ c. dry onion)
4 cloves garlic
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. dry oregano
¼ tsp. crushed red pepper
1# dry great northern beans (white) cooked and drained or 3 - 15oz cans
2 - 4oz cans diced green chili pepper
4 c. chicken stock
3 c. cooked chicken (diced, shredded however you like it)
2 c. shredded monterey jack cheese
Sour cream

Directions:

You can cook this 2 ways. The 1st is to through all but the cheese and sour cream in a crock pot and let cook about 8 hrs. The 2nd is to through everything into a pot and cook until everything is heated through. Garnish with cheese and sour cream.

FYI:

I added the sour cream to the pot of chili. I added until I liked how it tasted

Enjoy

Wheat Thins Crackers

I normally don`t post recipes on here until I have actually tasted them but not this time. I was told by a friend that she had a GREAT recipe for homemade wheat thins. I was also told by someone else that these were wonderful. I finally got the recipe today and am baking them right now. As soon as I put the dough in the over it put off a wonderful smell. My house smells so good right now. They smell so good I thought I would just post the recipe now. I am also making a white chicken chili or something like that tonight for dinner. After we eat this evening if it is good I will post that recipe as well.

Wheat Thins Crackers

1 3/4 c. wheat flour
1 3/4 c. white flour
Mix together in a big bowl

In a blender blend:
1/3 c. oil
3/4 tsp. salt
1 c. water
Blend this for ATLEAST 1 minute!! This needs to be blended until the oil and water are combined really well.

Pour the water/oil in the same bowl as the flour and kneed until it is smooth.
You will need 2 cookie sheets to bake these. These don`t need to be greased.
Cut dough into 2 pieces. 1 piece for each cookie sheet.
Roll the dough out until it reaches the edges of the sheet. You want the dough VERY thin. About 1/8". I found it a little easier to use my hands/fingers.
When you are done rolling the dough out take a knife or something and SCORE the dough, NOT cut it, into the size of crackers you want. Then take a fork and poke each cracker so they don`t bubble up.
Season the dough with some kind of salt. Onion, garlic, regular salt what ever you like, use it!!
Bake 350 deg for 30-35 minutes until they are crispy.


My crackers actually just came out of the oven. I did learn a few things about making them. make sure they are thin enough!!! Some of mine were not thin enough and they were not very good. Also don't bake them on the bottom rack. They WILL burn and are not very tasty. I did not put enough salt on mine so next time I will add more. But over all they are pretty good.

Enjoy

Quick Mix

Here is the recipe for quick mix.

Quick Mix

4-1/4 C. All-Purpose Four
4-1/4 C. Whole Wheat Flour
1/3 C. Baking Powder
1 T. Salt
2 t. Cream of Tartar
1 t. Baking Soda
3/4 C. Dry Powdered Milk
2-1/4 C. Shortening

In a large bowl, sift together all dry ingredients, Blend well. Cut in shortening until evenly distributed (use the beater on your power mixer or a shortening knife). Put in a large airtight container. Label. Store in a cool, dry place. use within 10-12 weeks. Makes about 13 C. Quick Mix.

Enjoy

Oatmeal On the Go Bars

I have been so sick of cereal every morning for breakfast and so have my kids. I found this recipe on everydayfoodstorage last night that I thought looked good so I thought I would make it today. Can I tell you how EASY and GOOD these were. MY kids gobbled them all up. The recipe made 12 muffins and they were ALL gone. Cody my pickiest eater of them all ate 3 or 4 himself!! That should tell you something. This calls for something called quick mix. I will add the recipe for that later. What it is, is homemade bisquick. I didnt have time to make it so I will be trying that later. I will let you know how it turns out. If you try it before let me know what you think. This isnt the best picture of the oatmeal bar but it gives you a general idea of what to expect allthough mine turned out much lighter than that. This picture also shows an egg that was cooked in the sandwhich maker. Just spray the bottom of the maker, crack the egg in the maker, salt n pepper. Close the lid and cook for 2 minutes. Open the lid and spray the lid with non stick spray. Close the lid and flip the maker over so the top of the egg is now on top. Open the sandwich maker and put a plate over the egg and flip the sandwhich maker over so the egg is now on the plate. Every simple they they turn out great!!

Oatmeal On the Go Bars

1 3/4 c. quickmix or bisquick
3/4 c. oats
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 egg (2 Tbs. powdered egg + 1/4 c. water)
3 Tbs. powdered milk + 1 c. water
1 c. raisins
2 tsp. cinnimon

Mix all your ingredients in a bow until they are combined. Fill a sandwich maker 2/3 full with your batter and cook for about 2 minutes. If you do not have a sandwich maker you can make these into muffins by filling your muffin pan 2/3 full. Cook in a 350 deg. oven for 15-20 minutes.

These were really quick and great for those mornings that are crazy and hectic.

Enjoy

Drinkable Powdered Milk

I looked in the fridge this morning and noticed that we are almost out of milk. I didn't want to go buy more when we get paid tomorrow and I do all my grocery shopping then. So I decided to try this recipe for powdered milk. It actually didn't turn out that mad. There was a little too much vanilla for me so next time I will just start with a little less and add more if I feel it needs it. Sitting here just now I realized why there was TOO much vanilla & sugar for that matter. The recipe was for 1 gal. I made 1 liter. Now it makes since duh!!!

Drinkable Powdered Milk

1 gal container to store your milk in
1 gal of water
3 c. powdered milk
1 1/2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Get a 1 gal container to put your milk in. Fill it 1/2 full of cold water. Add your powdered milk to the water and stir it with a wire wisk. It WILL be thick!! Add either the sugar, vanilla or both to the milk. Finish filling the container with water and stir. Put the lid on and place in your fridge for atleast 6 hours to let the flavor develop.

If your not sure if your family will drink this try doing 1/2 powdered milk 1/2 your normal milk.

I`m not a milk drinker at all but this wasnt bad even though I added enough sugar and vanilla for 1 gal and I only made 1 liter. I`m sure it would be even better made the correct way.

Enjoy

Magic Mix Pudding

For dessert I made magic mix pudding. Oh my this is to die for!!! This is a gotta have recipe. This smells and tastes like chocolate cake. I just cant tell you how good this is.

Magic Mix Pudding

1/2 c. sugar
1 c. magic mix
2-3 Tbs. cocoa (opt)
2 c. water
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix very well your magic mix, sugar and cocoa in a sauce pan. Add your water and stir until it starts to bubble. Add your vanilla, stir well. Cover and let cool.

Enjoy

Cheesy Baked Potato broccoli soup

For dinner tonight I made cheesy baked potato broccoli soup. I did make several modifications to it since I did not have all the ingredients. I will give you the recipe and below I will tell you what I did. They way I made it, it tasted like the canned broccoli cheese soup you can buy in a can that is expensive.

Cheesy Baked Potato Broccoli Soup

1 c. magic mix
1 1/2 c. water
3/4 c. sour cream
2-3 baked potatoes or microwave them
1 1/2 c. cheese
1 1/2 - 2 c. broccoli
a little salt n pepper
bacon bits to garnish

Put your magic mix and water in a pot and stir until it starts to thicken. Cut your potatoes into chunks like you would for potato soup. Cut up your broccoli into pieces. Add the rest of the ingredients into your pot. Cut your bacon into slices and cook it. Garnish your soup with it.

Here is how I did it. I didn't have any sour cream or bacon so I didn't use those. I HATE cooking with potatoes so I used my potato pearls instead. I just added..I`d say about 1/2 - 3/4 c. I add those to the water/magic mix. 2 of my kids don't like broccoli so instead of cutting it into chunks I just cut the very tops of them. So I just had little green dots in the soup. I also cut up a kielbasa sausage into little pieces and cooked them before I put them in. I mixed them into the soup. It was VERY good all though I kept adding milk because it was getting really thick.

Enjoy

Magic Mix

I have been reading on everydayfoodstorage.net about her magic mix. I didn't think twice about it. Today I was trying to decide what to make for dinner and the recipe I decided on used her magic mix. So I had to make it. I`m now on the magic mix band wagon. I love this stuff!! I made Magic Mix pudding. AWESOME!!! I have now made the magic mix and have it in a #10 can in my fridge.

MAGIC MIX

2 1/3 c. powdered milk
1 c. white flour
1 c. (2 sticks) margarine (real margarine NOT spread) OR butter @ room temp

Combine all ingredients in your mixer bowl. Start on low once mixed turn a little higher. Mix until it looks like corn meal. Keep in a #10 can with a lid in the fridge.

Enjoy

Best wheat bread ever

I made another new recipe today. I have to say it was so good. It truly tasted like store bought only better. When I watched the video of Crystel making this bread saying it tasted store bought I didnt believe her. So I tried it. I am now a believer.

WHEAT BREAD

1-1/4 c. warm water
1 Tbs. yeast
1/4 c. honey or 1/3 c. brown sugar (white works just as well)
2-3/4 c. wheat
1/4 c. wheat gluten (opt)
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbs. dry milk
1 Tbs. butter/margarine/oil
1 Tbs. vinegar
1/4 c. potato flakes NOT pearls (opt)

Sprinkle the yeast over the water & let it set for a few minutes. Mix all ingredients in order listed in a mixing bowl with dough hook 12-15 minutes. Let the dough rise until it is doubled, 1-1 ½ hours. Punch the dough down. Shape into a ball & roll it out on a floured counter into a rectangle no wider than you bread pan. Don’t roll it out real thin. Roll it up like a cinnamon roll. Pinch the seams together. Grease your pans & put the dough in the pan. Let rise until it has doubled. Bake 375° 20-30 minutes. If you have a glass pan cook at 350°.

FYI:
For the optional ingredients they ARE optional but make all the difference. They help to make the bread fluffier and lighter. I will make a post about dough enhancers and gluten in the next few days. If you cant add all of them add what you can. This truly tastes like store bought only better.

I like this bread so much I have decided to start making this bread and not buy bread from the store any more.

Enjoy

Powdered milk conversion chart

I dont have much time tonight to post but I just wanted to give you a link for a powdered milk conversion chart thanks to http://www.everydayfoodstorage.net. I hate it when I am making something and want to use powdered milk instead of regular milk. I never know how much water/powdered milk to use. Then it takes me so long to figure it out that I wonder why I waisted the time instead of putting that 1/4c. of milk in. This chart is wonderful. It tells you how much water and powdered milk to use for your most common used measurments. It also tells you how to make your own sweetened condensed milk, evaporate milk and buttermilk. Its wonderful. Here is the link to her website so you can print the conversion chart and keep it on your fridge. http://everydayfoodstorage.net/handouts/milk-conversion-charts.pdf My kids are asking me to come outside so I need to get off here.

Enjoy

Laundry soap

I am always trying to find ways to save money. But then who isn't these days. I have heard for a while now about people making their own laundry soap. They have said that this soap gets their clothes cleaner than with store bought soap. It is also really good for people with allergies to perfumes. This has no perfume. I`ve been wanting to try it but just haven't gotten around to it. I finally decided that I am going to do it. I got the recipe yesterday and I am going to buy the ingredients on Friday. Well maybe today I need to go buy some milk. I guess we will have to see what I feel like doing. Ok so here is the recipe. I was told you can buy all the ingredients at WINCO.

HOMEMADE LAUNDRY SOAP

1/3 bar Fels Naptha soap (has a strong smell may want to keep in garage away from things)
1/2 c. borax powder
1/2 c. arm & hammer washing soda

Grate (with your grater) 1/3 of the bar of Fels Naptha soap into a sauce pan.
Add 6 c. water.
Heat until the soap melts.
Add soda and borax.
Stir until dissolved

You need either a 5 or 7 gal bucket (I`ll give more info at the end)
Pour 4 c. hot tap water in the bucket
Add your soap mixture to the bucket and stir
Add 22c. hot tap water and stir to combined.
Let this cool and set up for 24 hours.

This will have the consistency of...snot when it is done. It also has the color of it as well. That is what I am told.
This takes 20-30 minutes to make.
Use about 1 cup for each load. This is OK to use on front loaders.

Ok the lady I got recipe from said that she triples the batch that way she only has to grate the soap 1 time rather than having to try to grate 1/2 of the bar. When she does a triple batch she uses a 7 gal bucket to put it in. It almost fills the bucket when she is done. She also uses a canning pot so it holds it all.

For all the ingredients it costs around $8. The only thing you have to buy every time is the Fels Naptha soap. Everything else you will be able to use for several batches.

To get a year supply of this soap wont cost a whole lot. Even to store it made wont take up as much room as all those bottles of store bought stuff. Or if you just have the ingredients on hand and make it as you need it, your talking about almost no space at all. Have fun with this and let me know what you think. I`ll re post in a few days after I have made mine and have used it.

Enjoy

Beans

So I am totally excited today. I can now say I officially have my year supply of beans. Well at least my pinto beans that is. I also have a year supply of a mixed bean. That is not on my list to store but it will give me more of a variety. It feels so great to be able to go to my list of what I need to store and be able to mark off something that I have completely done.

I received an email from a friend of mine who had some great info pertaining to food storage. Someone took the time to get a year supply for 1 person. They set it up on a shelf and took a picture of it to show what a year supply actually looks like. This was the minimum that we are told to store. It really opened my eyes. I have decided that I want to store more than a year supply for my family. As for my pinto beans I can say that I have a 2 year minimum supply. Looking at the 50lb bag I have though...its kind of a scary thought that for my family of 6 that is what we have for 2 years. Here is the links that she sent me. This 1st one is a site that shows you how to build shelves for rotating cans. http://www.jaycehall.com/2008/03/08/weekend-storage-project/

I love my shelf reliance shelf but know who expensive they are. If you dont have the money this is a good alternative.

The 2nd link is a you tube link that just has some good ideas for how to store food if you have limited space. http://www.jaycehall.com/2008/03/08/weekend-storage-project/

I have a recipe for some really good bread. My family just loves it.

CINNAMON OATMEAL RAISIN BREAD

This makes a 1 1/2 lb loaf
10 oz (1 1/4 c.) warm milk ( I use powdered milk)
3 c. flour (I do 1/2 wheat 1/2 white flour)
3/4 c. oats ( I just throw some in)
4Tbs brown sugar packed
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 tsp cinnamon
2 TBS butter/margarine
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1/2 c. raisins (my oldest 2 kids dont like raisins so I dont add them)

Add ingredients in bread machine pan as listed MINUS the raisins. Put on what ever settings you prefer. I normally take the bread out about 15 minutes before it is done. It is still cooked its just not crispy on the crust. IF you add raisins do it AFTER the kneading period is done!! If you are not around to add them you can do it when you add the other ingredients but put them around the edge of the pan and make sure they are NOT in the water & away from the yeast. They will soak up too much of the water and make a poor loaf of bread.

This is so good my kids just cant get enough of it when I make it. Its also a good food storage recipe.

Enjoy

More recipes

Tonight I made pizza pockets and bread sticks. They really were quite good. My husband was at his Aunt and Uncles house a few weeks ago and they each made their own homemade ice cream. He had so much fun he did it with us this evening. I will include the recipe as well.

BREAD STICKS & PIZZA DOUGH

FYI Make this is your mixer, make sure you use your bread blade
2 1/2 c. med hot water
2 Tbs yeast.
Drizzle the yeast on top of the water and let it dissolve. While you are waiting for it to dissolve turn your oven to 350 deg. Take a cookie sheet and put 1 stick of butter on it. Put it in the oven while it is preheating so the butter will melt.

After the yeast is dissolved add
2 Tbs sugar
1 tsp salt
3 Tbs oil
mix

Slowly add
6 c. flour (1/2 wheat, 1/2 flour or you can do all of one or the other)

For Bread sticks sprinkle garlic powder on the top.

When this is done take out your cookie sheet and put the dough directly onto the cookie sheet. Use your fingers to spread the dough to cover the whole pan.
Let the dough rise for 5-10 minutes.
Bake 350 degs for 10-12 minutes. For the pizza cook for about 7 minutes BEFORE you put your toppings on. After you put your toppings on cook until your toppings are cooked.

1 thing I learned with this tonight is it makes a LOT!!! If you are making both the pizza and the bread sticks this recipe will make enough for both. So just split the dough in 1/2 and put it in 2 pans.

I made a different kind of pizza for dinner. You really could use this dough for it as well. Just split the dough in 1/2, make your bread sticks with 1/2 and take the remaining dough and make small balls. Roll the balls out into 5-6" circles. On 1/2 of the dough put your pizza sauce and any toppings you would normally put on pizza. fold the other 1/2 over top and seal the edges. Brush the tops with egg if you want. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

Ok now for the fun part of tonight.

ICE CREAM!!!

You need several things for it. You need: small containers that have screw lids (enough so you have 1 for each person), rock salt, ice cubes (a lot of them, we`ll get a back of ice next time) gallon size plastic bags, 2% milk and any toppings you like for ice cream.

Fill your containers with 3/4 c or so of milk, add your toppings. Screw the lid on TIGHT.

Put ice in the plastic bags along with rock salt. Put your containers on that and then add more ice and rock salt. Get ready to shake!! Shake your ice cream for about 1/2 hr or until the ice cream is icy.

ENJOY!!

Sweet 'n' sour meatballs & Chocolate milkshake

So last night I decided to try 2 recipes from Everyday food storage. For dinner I made sweet 'n' sour meatballs. These were so good. I have VERY picky eaters so I didnt put all the meatballs in the sauce. But my 2 yr old loved it with the sauce. Here it goes...

Sweet 'n' sour meatballs

MEATBALLS
2# ground beef (you could use ground turkey or chicken)
1/2 c. oats
1 egg (2 Tbs. egg powder & 1/4 c. water
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Mix all together. Roll into balls. You can either bake these in the over or you can cook them in a skillet with 2 or 3 Tbs butter.

SAUCE
1 can 20 oz pineapple chunks with juice
1/3 c. vinegar
6 Tbs sugar
1 Tbs soy sauce
3 Tbs corn starch mixed into 1/3 c. water

Cook in skillet until sauce is think.
Optional:
cut 2 green peppers into strips and add to the sauce. Simmer 5 minutes.
3 tomatoes cut into wedges. Stir into sauce and serve immediately.

Add your meatballs and enjoy.


For dessert I made chocolate milkshakes with OUT any ice cream

CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKES

1/2 c. water
3/4 c. powdered milk
1/3 c. chocolate powder (I wasnt sure what this was so I used nesquick)
2 c. ice
layer in a blender as listed. Blend until smooth.
Opt:
2 scoops of peanut butter.

My kids loved this. I did not add enough ice so it was a little watery. I promise you wont taste the powdered milk. I had to make the milk before hand so the kids didnt know what it was. I just quickly added the milk they didnt know any difference.

I have a few other recipes that I will post. I have not tried them yet but will do that before I post on here. Later this week I hope to try them. My 8 yr old is dying for me to make the home made hot pockets.

Jamie

Chocolate chip cookies

So I am still trying to figure out how to have a section for recipes. No luck yet but I`ll figure something out. Anyways I made chocolate chip cookies today. They turned out surprisingly good. I am NOT telling my kids what is in them. They do know that there is wheat but that is it. I got this recipe from http://everydayfoodstorage.net

Chocolate chip cookies

1/2 c. cooked white beans (I`ll tell you at the end how to do this if you dont know how)
1 c. brown sugar
mix together

4 eggs (1/4c. egg powder & 1/2c. water)
1 tsp. vanilla
add to the sugar/beans

2 1/4 c. finely ground wheat
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
shift together in a bowl.
add to beans. Stir until well blended.

2 c. chocolate chips
Opt. handful oats

Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Bake 350 10-15 minutes

My kids loved these cookies. I didnt have my wheat grinder on the finest setting, I thought I did, so the wheat had TINY chunks so I just added some oats in case my kids asked what it was. Then I could tell them that it was oats. The last cookies I put in the oven I forgot about. They were in about 5 minutes too long but they were still soft. Not burnt at all. These are very soft cookies. With all the wheat I would have thought they would have been a heavy cookie but they werent. When I had my friend try them the 1st thing she said was they were soft.

You`ll have to try these. You dont taste the beans at all. Let me know what you think.

Enjoy
Jamie

I`m really motivated right now...

Ok so I am really motivated right now. I have been for the last few months now. I am so excited to get my year supply of food storage. Just in the last few weeks I purchased a shelf reliance food rotation system. I love it, it is the best thing ever. I will post pictures of it later when I have batteries for my camera.

I have been doing a lot of searching on the internet on food storage and recipes to use my food storage with. I have found a lot of great stuff. I have decided to start using my blog as a place to keep my research and to share the information I have found. I will also share recipes that my family enjoys. One thing I have I learned is to not to mention you are making something different. I made some REALLY good bread and I told my 11 yr old that I used powdered milk in it. She, after eating it and liking it, tells me that it did taste different from other times I had eaten it. Ok so I have learned my lesson.

Along with sharing my research and recipes I will also post links to site I think are wonderful.

Getting your year supply doesn't have to be scary or overwhelming. I found a wonderful website called food storage made easy. http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/ This website breaks it down for you. It helps you to get a 3 month supply. When you go to their website click on the tutorial link. It will tell you more about their site and what it is all about. I like it that they break it down to what they call baby steps. Its wonderful. Hopefully you love it as much as I do.

From food storage made easy`s website I found another website that helps you to use your food storage in a way that your family wont know. They site is called every day food storage. http://everydayfoodstorage.net/ She had some great idea and recipes. I have tried a couple of them. I will post the recipes that I liked. She has videos showing her making things. Yet again just another great website.

I am fairly new to blogging so I will work on finding a way to make a tab or something will all my links and recipes so they are easy to find.

My kids are calling me and I also want to go make some cookies with beans. I will let you know how they turn out.