Be Prepared

“Be prepared in all things against the day when tribulations and desolations are sent forth upon the wicked.”
Doctrine and Covenants 29:8

Try a Co-Op for your Produce

 Taken from Everydayfoodstorage.com

What is a produce co-op? It’s where you join with others to buy your produce-getting you a better price and eliminate the grocery store. This can be fun because you pay the same amount each time you pick up produce (giving you a fixed cost in your budgeting) and you get fun things to try and/or more expensive items you wouldn’t normally buy. Some that I’ve received have been persimmons and white asparagus-both delicious and both I would never have bought on my own! Some even have an organic option if you’re into that sort of thing. The downside to a food co-op is that you don’t have a say in what you get so you have to work your meals around what you get-not the other way around. Still, it’s fun to throw it in every once in a while!

Popular Co-op Sites:

Bountiful Baskets
Local Harvest
Co-Op Directory-find one near you!

I have a good friend that does this all spring and summer long.  She live right here in Reno and loves it!  Check out the sites above and think about maybe joining one just to try something new!

Almond Toast  gluten free



Crunchy with ground and slivered almonds. Perfect for a late day brunch.

Ingredients:
1 GF baguette
10 Tbsp butter or margarine
2/3 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups almonds, finely ground
1 egg
1/2 tsp almond extract
Topping:
1/3 cup slivered almonds
Icing sugar for dusting, optional

Directions:
Slice baguette into 1" thick slices, lightly butter one side of each slicee and place butter-side down onto a baking sheet.

Cream together the butter and sugar, then add remaining ingredients. Spread a thick coat of mixture onto each baguette slice, then top with some slivered almonds.

Bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes, until top is golden. Remove from oven, dust with icing sugar if desired and serve warm.

Apricot & Basil Pesto Chicken  gluten free Apricots add a touch of sweetness to this scrumptious stuffed chicken breast. Ingredients: 4 chicken breasts Pesto: 1/3 cup dried apricot halves + 1 tsp rice flour 1 cup basil leaves 2 Tbsp Parmesan 2 Tbsp olive oil 1/2 tsp salt 1 garlic, minced Topping: 1/4 cup apricot preserves Directions: For Pesto: in a mini food processor, combine apricots and rice flour. Pulse until until finely chopped. Remove and set aside. Combine remaining pesto ingredients together until a paste forms (or you get the consistancy you want). Stir in the diced apricots and set aside. Prepare chicken: either slice horizontally to 'butterfly' the breast (to create a pocket to fill with the pesto), or pound chicken with mallet to 1/4" thick (spread on pesto, then roll-up). Once you have filled the chicken with the pesto, place (seam-side down or use toothpicks to secure so pesto doesn't come out) onto a lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for about 40 minutes. About 10 minutes before removing from oven, spread some apricot preserves (melt in microwave first if too thick to spread) over each chicken breast. Note: for an even quicker dish, use prepared GF pesto.

Changing the way I do my blog! i hope you like it!

“As we have been continuously counseled for more than 60 years, let us have some food set aside that would sustain us for a time in case of need. But let us not panic nor go to extremes. Let us be prudent in every respect. And, above all, my brothers and sisters, let us move forward with faith in the Living God and His Beloved Son.”
Gordon B. Hinckley, ‘The Times in Which We Live,’ Ensign, Nov 2001, 72

Food Storage/ Person/ Year

Food	Amount
Grain	300 lbs
Dry Beans	60 lbs
Dry Milk	24 lbs
Meat and Eggs	as much as you can
Fruit	as much as you can
Vegetables	as much as you can
Sugar	60 lbs
Fats and Oils	10 qts
Salt	8 lbs
	14 gallons for a 2 week supply  (water) Hamburger Soup  gluten free Loaded with meat and tons of veggies, this soup is a hearty meal that will fill your belly. Make a little or a lot, just adjust your ingredients however you like! Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, cooked 2 Tbsp oil 1/2-3/4 onion, finely diced 4-5 carrots, diced 3 stalks celery, diced 8 cups GF beef stock/broth 1 lg* can petite diced tomatoes 1 med* can tomato sauce 1 pkg GF onion soup mix 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, diced 2-3 Tbsp GF Worcestershire, to taste 1 tsp thyme 1 tsp Italian seasoning 1 bay leaf 1-2 Tbsp pesto, to taste 1-2 cups GF pasta of your choice, optional Directions: Fry ground beef, set aside. In a large stock pot, saute onions, carrots and celery in oil until onions are soft. Add all but last two ingredients, and bring to a boil. Turn down and simmer until carrots are tender, about 20-30 minutes. If adding pasta, cook pasta in a separate pot, then add into soup at the last minute. Stir in the pesto, adjust any seasonings to taste, then serve. This soup is even better the next day, as it will thicken slightly. So save some leftovers for tomorrow! Blender Wheat Pancake Mix 1 C. Whole Wheat Berries In Dry Mix baggy: 3 T. dry powdered milk (non-instant…if you use instant it would be 1/3 C.) 2 T. powdered eggs 2 tsp Baking Powder 1-1/2 tsp Salt 2 Tbs. Sugar

Sorry I am late with this week's post!  Basketball season is such a busy season for me at school.  I wanted to share some information that I came arcoss in some of my food storage emails.  The next few paragraphs are taken from Everyday Food Storage.  Important information that made me stop and think.  I hope it will make you do the same!

Name Brands, Store Brands, and Generic Brands

As you shop, be sure to compare prices of different brands. NAME BRANDS generally cost the most due to fancy packaging and advertisements-however, sometimes these can be HIGHER quality and taste BETTER than other brands as well. STORE BRANDS are sold by the supermarket chain (so you’ll see the store name on the can, i.e. Albertsons). GENERIC BRANDS have plain labels, aren’t advertised, and are generally the cheapest. Like I said before, the quality and taste between these three may differ-so it’s important to try the brands and decide which are worth paying the money for and which aren’t. For example, my family doesn’t like Bumble Bee tuna which is a name brand. We think it’s really mushy (and gross!) and we prefer the Western Family brand which is a store brand because the tuna is firmer. But what you’re willing to pay for is entirely up to you and your family-but it’s important to remember that if your family won’t eat it because they don’t like the taste-it’s a waste of money in the end. Also, be sure to compare brands that are on sale. Sometimes name brands can be cheaper than store brands because it’s on sale so be sure to LOOK around!



I'm Crystal, your personal food storage trainer! Let me help you figure out your food storage! >>READ MORE

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• BREAD MAKING 101
Get the basics on making bread with whole wheat!

• PRESSURE COOKING 101
Learn more about using your pressure cooker to help cook your food storage food!

• FOOD STORAGE YOGURT MAKING 101
Learn how to make yogurt from powder milk!

• GROCERY SHOPPING 101
Learn how to get the biggest bang for your buck grocery shopping and building your food storage!

• BOSCH MIXER 101
Learn things you never knew a Bosch Mixer could do!

• PIE CRUSTS 101
Get step by step instructions to make the best pie crust!

Learn grocery stores trick of offering you a complimentary product!

• 
• The grocery store by me is pretty smart. Do you know what they put right next to their milk? OREOS, chocolate syrup, and donuts. Do you know how many people I see buying OREOS after picking up their milk? I can see the thought process in their head, “Oh, OREOS! Those sound good…and I did just get some milk. That will be a fun treat!” The best part about this marketing trick is that YOU come up with the idea (with a little guidance from them). The brain functions by making associations so they put complimentary items next to each other and your brain does the rest. Don’t believe me? Next time you’re at the store go down your ice cream aisle. I can guarantee you’ll find ice cream toppings, ice cream scoops, etc very close by.

  Don’t believe what Grocery Stores say about themselves!

 

Think about who is sending you the message that this grocery store is a low price leader or that these items have the lowest price, the grocery store. It takes your brain seeing a message 7 times or less for it to be ingrained, with out you even noticing what is happening. So of course, grocery stores will put big signs up that they are “Low price leaders” have the “Lowest prices” etc. Become an educated shopper so you know the prices and can make good judgements. Also, know that a stores’ low price promise may just be that it is the lowest at that store and not compared to other stores in the area.

Is it a “ON SALE” or “FOR SALE” tag?

My mom always tells a funny story about my grandparents where my grandmother comes home so excited that she just stocked up at the grocery store because they were having a huge sale. To which my grandfather (after looking at the end cost on the receipt) would say “EVERYTHING IS FOR SALE” This is actually one of grocery stores favorite tricks. Who doesn’t love a good sale. But have you ever, for fun, peeled back the sale label (the one that covers the original price) to see how much you’re actually saving? I have…and you know what I discovered? That a lot of the times it is the SAME price. So the “sale” tag was really more of a “it’s FOR sale” tag than a “it’s ON sale” tag-apparently, my grandfather was correct. Now, I’m not saying this is always the case but they definitely know that your eye is drawn to those tags and they put them on items not on sale to move them. I want you to take a step back the next time you’re at the grocery store and actually look at all of the tags they have hanging down an aisle. Next, look at how many of those are actually indicating that an item is on sale. You’ll notice there is are a lot of little tags hanging down an aisle…all to get your attention and look at it. You eye is naturally drawn to bright colors and something out of place. Those tags fit both of those requirements and make grocery stores a whole lot more money!

 

Please remember this came from everyday food storage!  Have a good week!

Case sales are going on right now at Smith's & Menu ideas!

Case sales to stock up on are going on right now at Smith's.  If you can take stop by the store and check them out!  Don't forget those paper products also! 

 
Marinated Flank Steak - gluten free



A flavorful marinade, perfect for wraps, fajita's or over a big salad.

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp rosemary, crushed
1 tsp marjoram
1 tsp oregano
3 garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1 tsp crushed red pepper
1 tsp pepper
3 Tbsp oil

Flank Steak

Directions:
Add all ingredients in to a large ZipLoc bag and mix well. Add meat and marinate in fridge for 4-8 hours.

BBQ or broil meat until cooked, then cut thin slices against the steak's grain.

Serve on its own, in a fajita, or over a salad.

Cheddar & Scallion Toast - gluten free Hot, gooey and crunchy! Great with spaghetti or stew. Ingredients: 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated 3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened 4 scallions, chopped 2 garlic cloves Salt & pepper to taste Italian Flatbread Directions: Use food processor to combine cheese mixture, process until smooth. Depending how thick you made your flatbread, cut it in half horizontally or leave as is. Spread cheese mixture on flatbread, place on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes at 400°F. Cut into 1” thick slices.

GLUTEN-FREE FOOD STORAGE MERINGUES 3 egg whites (1 T. powdered egg whites + 3 T. water) 1/8 t. cream of tartar 1/8 t. salt 1 t. vanilla 3/4 C. sugar 1 C. mini chocolate chips (or nuts, dates, raisins) Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Beat egg whites with cream of tartar, salt, and vanilla until soft peaks form. Mix in sugar 1 T. at a time until stiff peaks form. Using two spoons, drop spoonfuls of meringue on parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake for 45 minutes. Then turn oven off and allow to sit in oven for 90 minutes. Store in air tight container. If you’re wondering where to get powdered egg whites, currently you can get them from Honeyville Grains.     Slow-Cooker Beef Stroganoff   2 lb. beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes 10 oz. fresh mushrooms, halved 1 onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1 cup beef broth 2 tsp. paprika 1 tsp. salt 1 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream 2 Tbsp. flour 1 Tbsp. GREY POUPON Dijon Mustard 1 pkg. (16 oz.) egg noodles, uncooked 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley Make It PLACE meat, mushrooms, onions and garlic in slow cooker. Add broth, paprika and salt. Cover with lid. Cook on LOW 7 to 8 hours (or on HIGH 5 hours). MIX sour cream, flour and mustard. Stir into ingredients in slow cooker until well blended. Cook, covered, on LOW 15 min. Meanwhile, cook noodles as directed on package. DRAIN noodles; place in large serving bowl. Add meat mixture; mix lightly. Sprinkle with parsley.

3-Month Food Storage: 90 Menu Ideas

As you plan your 3-Month food storage menus, ask yourself this question:

“What type of adversity could come into my life

which my 3-Month food storage supply could help me with?”

Here are some possibilities:

• Job Loss: If you or your spouse lost a job, do you have enough food stored to help reduce your expenses while you search for a new job? (Have power)
• Medical Emergency: If you or a member of your family became seriously ill, do you have food and menus that your family could easily prepare? (Have power)
• Power Outages: If you were without power for a week or several months, do you have enough easy-to-prepare foods to live on? (No power)
• Major Natural Disaster: If a major natural disaster occurred and you had to camp-out at home, do you have some foods you could prepare outdoors? And do you have enough fuel or a way to cook food for a few weeks? (No power)

Consider the counsel to “Gradually build a small supply of food that is part of your normal, daily diet until it is sufficient for three months.” (Family Home Storage: A New Message, Ensign, March 2009.)

Creating food storage menus is a simple way to help you decide what to store. In some of the above situations you still have power, and some you do not. Below are 90 Food Storage Menu Ideas. Adjust them to suit the needs of your family.

These menus use a combination of small canned, packaged and long-term foods. Store extra bread in your freezer; however you may also bake homemade bread. Menus have homemade spaghetti sauce, AND spaghetti sauce in jars for times when you need quick prep or emergency cooking. You decide.

Snacks are included as many of us need to eat something between meals. Most meals are simple enough for a teen or spouse to prepare. Included are a few freezer foods, but don’t depend on your freezer unless you have a generator. Menus that require freezer foods are italicized. Most menus use shelf-stable products.

Store dry milk and dry eggs for times you are without power. Or use an egg substitute. Fruit could be canned or fresh. Store some packets of mayo or a few smaller containers for power outages. I tried to least the least expensive meals first on each list.

(For the updated list and printout go here)

90 BREAKFAST MENUS
39x Oatmeal, raisins, dry milk, water
9x Pancake from mix, Tang
24x Cold cereal, powdered milk, water
6x Wheat waffles, syrup, powdered, milk
3x Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins, water
3x Applesauce Spice Muffins, water
6x Muffins from mix, water

90 LUNCH MENUS
15x PB & J sandwich, fruit or veg, Tang
15x PB & Honey sandwich, fruit or veg, drink box
21x Tuna sandwich, baked beans, water
6x Ramen soup, fruit or veg, water
6x Macaroni & cheese, fruit or veg, V8 juice
6x Soup, crackers, dried fruit, water
6x Canned Pasta, banana chips, water
6x Chili w/beans, crackers, water
6x Canned Stew, crackers, water
3x Chicken salad sandwich, fruit or veg, water

90 DINNER MENUS
6x Clam Chowder 19 oz., bread/butter
6x Easy Chicken Stew, bread/butter
6x Vegetable Soup 19 oz., bread/butter
6x Chicken, Vegetable, Pasta Soup 19 oz., saltine crackers
6x Spaghetti w/homemade sauce, vegetable, milk
3x Spaghetti w/jar sauce, vegetable, water
6x Quick Beef Chili w/corn *73 Biscuits
3x Pineapple Chicken *92, rice
3x Italian Pasta Salad *67, Biscuits
3x Chicken & Rice Casserole, Biscuits
3x Tuna w/ Egg Noodles, canned corn, milk
3x Chicken w/ Egg Noodles, canned corn, milk
3x Chicken a la King *94, rice, canned green beans
3x Creamy Chicken and green beans *160, mashed potatoes
3x Tuna, Noodles and peas, canned pears
3x Teriyaki Pineapple Beef, rice w/broth
3x Bisquick Vegetable pot pie, canned peaches, milk
3x Barbecue Beef Casserole *160, canned peaches
3x BBQ chicken on hamburger buns, canned peaches milk
3x Sloppy Joe's with canned meat on hamburger buns, applesauce
3x Enchilada Casserole w/corn, canned peaches
3x Beef Nacho Casserole, Spanish rice *98
3x Meat and gravy on mashed potatoes *88, canned green beans, milk

90 SNACK MENUS
18x Food bar
3x Pretzels
6x Fruit snack
6x Graham crackers
6x M & M's
6x Hot cocoa drink(has milk)
3x Corn Chips, salsa jar
3x Chips w/refried beans & homemade salsa
12x Homemade popcorn
3x Simple Scones
3x Caramel Popcorn *114
3x Cake (from mix) w/frosting
3x Brownies (from mix)
3x Snicker doodles *110
3x Chocolate Chip Cookies
3x Chewy Oatmeal Cookies *109
3x Apple Crisp w/shelf whip topping
3x Light and Easy Fruit Cobbler*100