Lesson Learned

A Big Shout Out To My Friends At

 Ace Hardware in Park Fair Mall Here in Des Moines Iowa

Let me start by telling you last night was no fun at all. Wednesday night and well in to Thursday we had one big snow storm dropping 11.8 inches of snow, if that was not bad enough 52 thousand people lost there electricity sending the temperature in my house down to 54 degrees and I was not prepared some folks here in Iowa will not have power until Sunday. I have about 10 to 15 oil lamps as that is one of the things I enjoy collecting and not a one had oil or wicks in them as I had removed them 3 years ago when we move to Iowa. Now for the big one I had no back up heat and the temperatures were going to go down in the single digits, I can't tell you how grateful that I have heat once again. So today I got my ducks in a row with the folks at Highland Park Ace Hardware store where I was able to buy a portable propane heater and the wicks and oil I need for my lamps it truly was a lesson learned.    

My Interview on Survival Podcast

From # 10 Cans to Meals Ready to Eat!

Taken from Survival Podcast

Click The Above link to listen to my interview 

I had the pleasure of of being a guest speaker on Survival Podcast. 

This was my first interview I found so much joy in sharing my method 

I have a great interview with Jennifer Ess of “Rainy Day Food Storage” for you today.  We only talked for about 25 minutes but the ideas and tips and simple formulas are great.  With this information you can turn all those huge cans of long term storage food into meal size ready to go recipes.

Jennifer joins us today to discuss why creating meals in a jar makes sense for busy people.  The self life of these meals.  The easy way to make these meals shelf stable.  A simple formula for creating your own recipes and how you guys can free sauce mixes and jar meal recipes from Jennifer.

I have also been getting a ton of “I am just starting out” or “I have just found your podcast” emails lately.  Such emails always go on to say “I am overwhelmed and don’t know where to start” in the next sentence.  It is totally understandable.

I have been trying to figure out where to fit in a new “getting started” episode and this is a great opportunity.  First Jennifer’s method of breaking down long term storage foods will make that far less intimidating for many people.  Additionally the very basic of “eat what you store and store what you eat” is a great way to get the ball rolling.

So I am leading off today with a short segment (about 25-30 minutes) on getting started and then we switch over to Jennifer and take this simple approach to a bit of a higher level with pre planned meals in a jar.  Oh and ladies, they really are pretty too.  I think I said pretty more times in this episode then all others episodes of TSP combine, um that would be two.

Resources for Today’s Show…

• Members Support Brigade
• 13Sill.com
• Join Our Forum
• TSP Copper
• TSP Gear
• The Berkey Guy – (sponsor of the day)
• Fortress Defense Consultants – (sponsor of the day)
• Rainy Day Food Storage

Cream Of Mushroom Soup (Powder Mix)

Powder mix equals one can of 

Cream of Mushroom

3/4 cup Thrive Instant Milk

1/3 cup Thrive Dehydrated Butter Powder

1/4 cup Flour

1 1/4 teaspoons Beef Bullion

2 Tablespoons Thrive Freeze Dried Mushrooms (diced)

Mix all ingredients together with 1 1/4 cups of water, add to sauce pan simmer over medium heat with a wire whisk until it becomes thickened.

Just a though I would multiply the recipe five to ten times and keep it in a glass jar or a Ziploc bag.

Then when you are ready to use just scoop out 1 1/2 cups of dry mix and add 1 1/4 cups of water each time you need a can of cream of mushroom soup. 

Powder Mix Equals one can of

 Cream of Chicken Soup

3/4 cup Thrive Instant Milk

1/3 cup Thrive Dehydrated Butter Powder

1/4 cup Flour

1 1/4 teaspoons Chicken Bullion

2 Tablespoons Thrive Freezed Dried Chicken (diced)

Mix all ingredients together with 1 1/4 cups of water, add to sauce pan simmer over medium heat with a wire whisk until it becomes thickened.

Just a though I would multiply the recipe five to ten times and keep it in a glass jar or a Ziploc bag.

Then when you are ready to use just scoop out 1 1/2 cups of dry mix and add 1 1/4 cups of water each time you need a can of cream of chicken soup. 

Powder Mix Equals One Can Of

Cream of Celery Soup 

3/4 cup Thrive Instant Milk

1/3 cup Thrive Dehydrated Butter Powder

1/4 cup Flour

1 1/4 teaspoons Chicken Bullion

2 Tablespoons Thrive Dehydrated Chicken Celery

Mix all ingredients together with 1 1/4 cups of water, add to sauce pan simmer over medium heat with a wire whisk until it becomes thickened.

Just a though I would multiply the recipe five to ten times and keep it in a glass jar or a Ziploc bag.

Then when you are ready to use just scoop out 1 1/2 cups of dry mix and add 1 1/4 cups of water each time you need a can of cream of celery soup. 

Healing Salve aka Homemade Natural Neosporin

Healing Salve aka Homemade Natural Neosporin

Ingredients

1/2 cup Coconut Oil
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup Dried Comfrey
1/4 cup Dried Calendula
2oz Beeswax (equals out to 2 of the 1oz bars or 4 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons of Honey (optional)
10 drops Lavender Essentila Oil (optional)
jars

Instructions

In a medium pot - mix the coconut oil, olive oil, dried comfrey, & dried calendula. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Strain the herbs from the oil using a cheesecloth or coffee filter. Discard of the herbs.
Wipe any remaining herbs from the pot you used, and add the oil back to the pot. Turn the heat to medium. Stir in the honey (if using) until completely combined. Then, add in the beeswax - stirring until completely melted. Mix in the lavender essential oil, if using.
Pour the mixture into your jars. Stir it occasionally while it cools to ensure even settling. Seal once set.

Savory Onion Roll Jar Mix

Savory Onion Roll Jar Mix

1/4 Cup dehydrated onions flakes

3 1/3 cup bread flour

2 Tablespoons granulated sugar

1 Tablespoon powdered milk

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon dyed parsley

1 envelope yeast

place the onion flakes in a small Zip lock baggie and set aside.

Combine ingredients except for the yeast, in a one quart jar. add the baggie of onions and the yeast to the top of the mix and close the jar. vacuum seal and store the mix in a cool, dry place.

To Make

follow your bread machines instructions... add the Jar Mix, yeast and onions to 1 and 1/8 Cups of Water (105 to 110 degrees F) along with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil... I put my machine on the dough cycle and when it is done I cut and shape them into rolls I get about 12 rolls out of this jar mix.

I let the rolls rise again and then brush the tops with butter and bake at 350 for about 20 t0 25 mins. Until golden brown...

If you do not have a bread machine or are using this jar mix in a emergency situation use traditional instructions.

Turkey And Stuffing Jar Meal

Just in time for Thanksgiving  a emergency holiday meal to add to your food storage

Turkey And Stuffing Jar Meal

1 cup of FD Turkey or Chicken

6 Tablespoons chicken Gravy Mix

1 1/2 cup Stove Top Stuffing (In the canister that is seasoned)

1/4 cup Dehydrated Carrots

1/4 cup Dehydrated Celery

1/4 cup Dehydrated Onion

1/4 cup  Craisins (Ocean Spray) 

Layer ingredients in a 1 quart Mason  jar and add Oxygen Absorber

or vacuum seal.

To make

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil add jar meal stir together and let sit for about 10 mins...add more water if needed.

Resume cooking on simmer for about 20 -25 mins. 

Homemade Chicken Gravy Mix

1 1/3 cups instant nonfat dry milk powder

3/4 cup instant flour (I use Wondra)

3 Tablespoons Chicken Bouillon powder (I use Watkins)

2 Tablespoons Dehydrated Butter Powder  

1 teaspoon Poultry seasoning

1/8 teaspoon pepper

Combine all ingredients together and mix well.

Divide into 4 ziploc baggies and label as Chicken Gravy mix and add directions to complete.

Makes 4 gravy mixes

To make 

1 cup of cold water and 1/2 cup of Gravy mix

whisking together over Medium heat until thick. 

My Grandma's Favorite Bread & Butter Pickles

My 92 year old Grandmother loves these pickles that I make for her.

Bread and Butter Pickles

15 cups sliced pickling cucumbers
3 onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup coarse salt
4 cups cracked ice
2 1/2 cups cider vinegar
2 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon celery seeds
1 tablespoon mustard seeds

Directions

Combine cucumbers, onions, salt and ice in a large bowl.
Mix well.
Put a weight on and allow to stand 3 hours. (For a weight, I use a plate with a gallon bottle of vinegar or water on top of it).
Drain thoroughly.
Combine vinegar, sugar, turmeric, celery seed and mustard seed in a large pot.
Add drained cucumbers.
Place pot on medium low heat.
Bring almost to a boil, but DO NOT ALLOW TO BOIL.
Remove from heat.
Seal in sterilized jars, 10 minutes in a hot water bath.
Easy way to sterilize jars: Wash them well in hot soapy water.
Dry them off.
Put on a cookie sheet, right side up, at 225°F for 15 minutes.

My Salsa Recipe

My Homemade Salsa Recipe

8 cups tomatoes, peeled,chopped and drained

2 1/2 cups diced onions

1 1/2 cups diced green peppers

1 cup Jalapeno peppers chopped

2 Banana peppers chopped

6 Cloves of fresh garlic pressed

1 teaspoon Cumin

2 teaspoons Black pepper (Watkins)

1/8 cup canning salt

1/8 Cup of Sugar

1/3 cup of vinegar

1 (15 oz) can of tomato sauce

1(12 oz) can of tomato paste

1 fresh lime squeeze

1/8 cup chopped ciliantro (optional) Add at the end 

Directions

Mix all ingredients and bring to a slow boil for 10 min.

Seal in jars and cook in hot water bath for 10 min

Makes 6 to 7 pints

You can make it and eat it fresh with out canning just keep in jars in refrigerator

You can also freeze it...But I do not know if it will come out watery.

It is a very nice thick stick to your chips salsa....Enjoy....We LOVE IT

Beef Broccoli Stir-Fry

Beef Broccoli Stir-Fry

1 Cup Thrive Beef Chucks

1 Cup Thrive Broccoli

1/4 Cups Thrive FD Carrots

2 Tablespoons Thrive FD onion

1/2 Cup FD Bell Peppers

1/3 Cup of beef Stir fry mix

In a baggie place 1 cup Thrive instant Rice

place on top of jar

Beef Stir Fry Seasoning mix

1/4 cup beef bullion

3 Tablespoons corn starch

2 Tablespoons sugar

2 Tablespoons dry minced onion

1 Tablespoon Dry soy sauce powder

2 teaspoons dried parsley

3/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon crushed red peppers

Layer ingredients in a 1 quart wide mouth jar in order listed Add oxygen Absorber or vacuum seal the jar.

To Make

Add 4 cups of water to a skillet . Take out the baggie of rice and set a side. add jar meal to the water and let set for 10 to 15 mins simmer on low for 20 to 25 mins.

after starting the jar meal cook the rice in a separate pot... after the rice is done server jar meal over rice.

Homemade Cough Medcine

¼ t. Cayenne
¼ t. Ginger
1 T. Cider Vinegar (an organic one, like Bragg’s, is preferred.)
2 T. Water
1 T. Honey (use a locally produced raw honey, if possible.)

Dissolve cayenne and ginger in cider vinegar and water. Add honey and shake well. Take 1 T. as needed for cough. 

Pepper Steak and Rice Jar Meal

This is one of my favorite meals my Grandmother use to make and I did my best to turn it in to a Jar Meal
I hope you enjoy this one.

Pepper Steak & Rice

In quart sized canning jar add

1 Cup Thrive FD Beef Chucks

1 Cup Thrive FD Tomatoes

1/2 Cup Thrive FD Green Bell Peppers

1/4 cup Tomato Powder

3 Tablespoons Thrive FD Onions

3 Tablespoons Beef Bullion

1 Tablespoon Whirshire sauce powder

In a baggie place

1 Cup Thrive Instant Rice

add it to the top of the jar

add Oxygen absorber  or vacume seal

to make Remove the baggie of rice make rice in small sauce pan.

In a large sauce pan or skillet add 4 cups of water add the jar meal and let set

for 15 mins...turn on your stove burner and bring to a boil then turn it down to simmer and let simmer for 20 to 25 mins while string often. serve over the rice.

Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

Biscuits and Sausage Gravy  

 Biscuit Mix

Combine:

 8 ½ cups Flour

1 ¼ cups Dehydrated Shortening

¾ cup Powdered Milk

½ cup Dehydrated Whole Egg

¼ cup Baking Powder

1 Tbsp. Salt

2 tsp. Cream of Tartar

1 tsp. Baking Soda

Combine:

3 cups Biscuit Mix (above)

1 cup Water Stir vigorously until blended and drop by teaspoonful onto greased baking sheet.

Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Makes 12-18 biscuits.

White Sauce Mix For Sausage Gravy

Combine:

4 cups Powdered Milk

4 cups Flour

4 cups Dehydrated  Butter

2 tsp. Salt

¼ Cup Freeze Dried Sausage Crumbles

Basic White Sauce Combine in a sauce pan:

 ½ cup White Sauce Mix (above) 

1 cup Hot Tap Water 

Salt and Pepper as desired Bring to boil in sauce pan.

Stir constantly over medium heat with wire whisk until thick to prevent scorching.

Rehydrate sausage crumbles and add to the white sauce mix

What I have done is make the mixes and made and made up the servings and vacuumed sealed them...They should be good for 6 months to a year. I put the 1/4 cup of sausage crumbles in a baggie and then added 1/2 cup of white sauce mix and sealed. and put the directions on it. Same goes with the Biscuit mix.

Rice Mixes

Today I would like to share 4 rice mixes with you

Ingredients

ONION RICE MIX

2 cups uncooked white rice
1 envelope onion soup mix
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt

LEMON-DILL RICE MIX

2 cups white rice
3 teaspoons bottled dried lemon peel
2 teaspoons dried dill
1 teaspoon dried chives
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder

VEGETABLE RICE MIX

2 cups white rice

4 teaspoons vegetarian bouillon powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons dried celery flakes

2 teaspoons onion flakes

2 teaspoons green pepper flakes

2 teaspoons red bell pepper flakes

SPANISH RICE MIX

2 cups white rice

1/4 green bell pepper flakes

2 teaspoons parsley flakes

2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

Directions

1. FOR EACH TYPE OF RICE MIX:.
2. Mix together all ingredients.
3. Divide in half and store in tightly closed plastic bags or jars with tight-fitting lids.
4. Each package or jar should contain approximately 1 cup plus 3 Tbs of rice mixture.
   
   To Cook
   Combine the rice Mixture, 2 cups of cold water and 1 Tablespoon of butter in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat.  Cover and cook over low heat 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
   Makes 4-6 Servings

Sugar Cookies Mix

Add A Sweet Treat To Your Food Storage

Sugar Cookies Mix

1 1/2 Cups Flour
3/4 Cup White Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt

Mix together and store in a quart size ziplock bag.  Write instructions on the bag to add:  1 Stick Softened Butter, 1 Large Egg, 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract.  Mix & Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes. 

Just Got Done Making Strawberry Rhubarb Jam...This is a wonderful recipe if you like less sugar and the taste and tartness of the rhubarb... now I am off to make Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate to take on our trip up North.




Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

3 cups dice rhubarb
1 1/2 cup chopped strawberries
1 cup water
1 cup cane or regular sugar
2 T. lemon juice
1 pack pectin

Combine in dutch oven the rhubarb, strawberries, and water. Cook until the mixture is boiling and the rhubarb begins to breakdown and gets a smooth texture. Add the sugar and lemon juice and return recipe to a boil. Once you get to a boil add the pectin and again bring the recipe back to a boil. The consistency will be getting thick and you will see a foam on the top. Skim foam with a spoon and prepare 3 half pint jars, lids, and rings.


Ladle the recipe into the jars leaving 1/2" headspace. Process in water bath at a full boil for 10 minutes. Yields 3 half pints.

Spaghetti Jar Meal

I just created a dry mix spaghetti sauce and could not wait to share it with everyone. I made this last night for dinner and my grandchildren loved it. There words "this is better than store bought" I am so smiling inside as I share this with you. I am hoping you like it as much as they do.

Spaghetti Jar Meal

1/3 cup Basic Sauce Mix

1/4 cup Thrive Tomato Powder

1 teaspoon Thrive Dehydrated onions

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of sugar

1 teaspoon of dry parsley flakes

1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/4 teaspoon of minced dry garlic

2 teaspoons of dry green bell pepper flakes 

In a one quart wide mouth mason jar add broken spaghetti noodles or any pasta about a inch from the top...Make up the dry mix spaghetti sauce and put it in a baggie and put it on top of the jar put in a oxygen absorber and add lid and ring.

To Make The Jar Meal

Remove the baggie with sauce mix and set a side cook your Spaghetti noodles and drain. While that is cooking,

In a sauce pan add 1 1/2 cups of water and whisk in the sauce mix cook on med to low heat and continue to whisk until it thickens turn it to low and let it simmer for about 5 to 10 mins. 

spoon over spaghetti noodles.

ABC's Sloppy Joe's Jar Meal

ABC's Sloppy Joe's Jar Meal

1 cup Thrive FD Hamburger

3/4 cup Thrive FD Tomatoes

1/2 Cup Thrive FD Bell peppers

1/2 cup Abc pasta

1/4 cup Thrive Celery 

1/4 Cup Thrive  Corn

1/4 cup Thrive Tomato power

4 Tablespoons Sloppy Joe Seasoning mix

Layer Ingredients in a one quart caning jar add oxygen absorber and label.

Sloppy Joe Seasoning mix

1 cup Dried Minced Onion

3 Tablespoons Green Pepper Flakes

4 teaspoons dried minced Garlic

2 teaspoon Dry Mustard

2 teaspoons Celery Seeds

2 teaspoons chill powder

mix well together and store in a air tight container.

To cook the Jar meal 

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil turn off heat let sit for 10 to 15 mins to rehydrate turn heat back on and let Simmer for 20 to 25 mins.

Savory Onion Roll Jar Mix 

1/4 Cup dehydrated onions flakes 

3 1/3 cup bread flour 

2 Tablespoons granulated sugar

1 Tablespoon powdered milk

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon dyed parsley

 1 envelope yeast

place the onion flakes in a small Zip lock baggie and set aside.

Combine ingredients except for the yeast, in a one quart jar. add the baggie of onions and the yeast to the top of the mix and close the jar.  vacuum seal and store the mix in a cool, dry place.

To Make

follow your bread machines instructions... add the Jar Mix, yeast and onions to 1 and 1/8 Cups of Water (105 to 110 degrees F) along with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil... I put my machine on the dough cycle and when it is done I cut and shape them into rolls I get about 12 rolls out of this jar mix.  

I let the rolls rise again and then brush the tops with butter and bake at 350 for about 20 t0 25 mins.  Until golden brown...

If you do not have a bread machine use traditional instructions.