Over the weekend I had my brother and sister in-law visit. I adore my sil and I have talked to her before about having a pantry. She did try to start one, but didn't really take it seriously. She put in some effort during the H1N1 pandemic but when that fizzled out so did her efforts.
Like everyone else, they see what is going on around the world! They can see prices going up and packages shrinking in size. From our discussion I decided to show her my pantry. At best, I have three months set aside for eight people, though if need be I could definitely stretch it out longer...I hope! She thought I had a year! She was shocked at what I am storing and I think it took her back a bit. She immediately said I have to do this! She had tons of questions and hopefully this is the beginning.
However, what surprised me most was my brother's reaction. He was angry! He felt that there was no way they could prepare and why bother because you waste it, they can't afford it, or you can't plan for everything so why bother. His reaction surprised me because my brother is in the military! Go figure! They also just came home from a nice vacation, which they deserved...but honestly, if I could choose between an expensive vacation or buying enough food for a year...I would choose food! My husband wouldn't agree...but I have a feeling in the short term he will change his mind as prices rise and things around the world get crazier!
Monday 21 March 2011
Farrakhan Warns, Advises Obama on Libya (March 11, 2011)
The unrest overseas will hit our shores. Get ready!
Thursday 10 March 2011
To Buy Organic...
Buying organic is something I wish I could do more often, but in reality, buying organic is often something that isn't in my budget because we are one income and have a larger family with teenage boys! However, when the price difference is affordable I will choose organic. But this list here makes the decision making easier. I want my kids eating healthy fruit & veggies and I want to store as many healthy foods as possible. I think I found the list on a local facebook page called Buy Local NB. To Buy Organic (the numbers to the side show the percentage of washed fruit that still contains pesticides):
- Nectarines – 97.3%
- Celery – 94.5%
- Pears – 94.4%
- Peaches – 93.7%
- Apples – 91%
- Cherries – 91%
- Strawberries – 90%
- Imported Grapes – 86%
- Spinach – 83.4%
- Potatoes – 79.3%
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Kiwi
- Mangoes
- Onions
- Papaya
- Sweet Peas
Saturday 5 March 2011
Egg Replacements
I recently ordered a can of whole dried eggs which will be put away into my food storage and only used as it gets close to the expiration date. However, because this is an expensive item to add to food storage which in reality, may or may not be needed as my goal is to have food storage for a year or more, and I am building that based more on economic conditions and food shortages and I remain hopeful that I could get my hands on eggs and my hope is to someday have chickens & hens in my backyard!
So, with that long winded sentence made, I am including some recipes for substitutes to have on hand because they are cheaper and easier to attain, especially for those starting out and on super tight budgets!
2 tbsp cornstarch = 1 egg
2 tbsp arrowroot flour = 1 egg
2 tbsp potato starch = 1 egg
1 heaping tbsp soy powder + 2 tbsp water = 1 egg
1 tbsp soy milk powder + 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water = 1 egg.
1 banana = 1 egg in cakes.
1 tbsp milled flax seed and 3 tbsp water = 1 egg. Light, fluffy cakes!
Flax Seed:
How can flax substitute for oils and eggs in cooking?
Flaxseed can easily replace oil or shortening in a recipe because of it's high oil content. Just replace 1/3 c. of oil with 1 c. of milled flaxseed for a 3:1 substitution ratio. Similarly, a flaxseed mixture can be used as an egg substitute in selected recipes like pancakes, muffins and cookies. For every egg, replace with 1 tsp. of milled flax amd 3 tbsp. of water. Mix milled flaxseed and water in a small bowl and let sit for 1 to 2 minutes. The result will be a slightly gummier and chewier baked good, with a slight decrease in volume.
Flax seeds are easy to grind, and you likely have the right tool in your kitchen. Grind flax seeds at home using a coffee grinder, food processor or blender. Like coffee beans, you can grind flax seeds coarsely or finely, but generally, recipes call for finely ground flax seed.
So, with that long winded sentence made, I am including some recipes for substitutes to have on hand because they are cheaper and easier to attain, especially for those starting out and on super tight budgets!
Flax Seed:
How can flax substitute for oils and eggs in cooking?
Flaxseed can easily replace oil or shortening in a recipe because of it's high oil content. Just replace 1/3 c. of oil with 1 c. of milled flaxseed for a 3:1 substitution ratio. Similarly, a flaxseed mixture can be used as an egg substitute in selected recipes like pancakes, muffins and cookies. For every egg, replace with 1 tsp. of milled flax amd 3 tbsp. of water. Mix milled flaxseed and water in a small bowl and let sit for 1 to 2 minutes. The result will be a slightly gummier and chewier baked good, with a slight decrease in volume.
Flax seeds are easy to grind, and you likely have the right tool in your kitchen. Grind flax seeds at home using a coffee grinder, food processor or blender. Like coffee beans, you can grind flax seeds coarsely or finely, but generally, recipes call for finely ground flax seed.
Wednesday 2 March 2011
Costco Shopping
Through my bank...(I hate banks!!!) I started a savings account that is funded through your debit purchases. If I buy anything using my regular chequing/debit acount then 25 cents is deposited into my savings account. I have used this money for Christmas and just the other day for prepping!
I decided to take $40...yep, not much I know and go to Costco and see if they had anything on clearance that I could grab suitable for food storage. Well, my prayers were answered! I bought a 20lb bag of flour for $15, a box of instant mashed potatoes for $10.50 (I plan to write about them soon as they are excellent) and the best purchase.... four 2lb bags of whole bean coffee for $4.97 each!!!! Regular price was $12.99!
Costco will clear out items at wonderful prices, they usually end in .97. I had already bought this particular brand of coffee two weeks before on sale at this price, I did not expect to find any left! Maybe people are suspicious of cheap coffee! This time, they weren't showing the regular price just this clearance price, so maybe they presume it isn't good coffee...but it is and nice and strong!
I went over by $5 but no big deal! The rest of my savings is going towards an order with www.basiclifeessentials.com where I ordered a can of dried whole eggs...hard to find lately, and two different sizes of mylar bags!
Things are heating up in the middle east...I'm feeling the worry of inflation and seeing prices rise! I need to know we have what we need to be prepared for whatever may come our way.
I decided to take $40...yep, not much I know and go to Costco and see if they had anything on clearance that I could grab suitable for food storage. Well, my prayers were answered! I bought a 20lb bag of flour for $15, a box of instant mashed potatoes for $10.50 (I plan to write about them soon as they are excellent) and the best purchase.... four 2lb bags of whole bean coffee for $4.97 each!!!! Regular price was $12.99!
Costco will clear out items at wonderful prices, they usually end in .97. I had already bought this particular brand of coffee two weeks before on sale at this price, I did not expect to find any left! Maybe people are suspicious of cheap coffee! This time, they weren't showing the regular price just this clearance price, so maybe they presume it isn't good coffee...but it is and nice and strong!
I went over by $5 but no big deal! The rest of my savings is going towards an order with www.basiclifeessentials.com where I ordered a can of dried whole eggs...hard to find lately, and two different sizes of mylar bags!
Things are heating up in the middle east...I'm feeling the worry of inflation and seeing prices rise! I need to know we have what we need to be prepared for whatever may come our way.
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