Tuesday, August 18, 2009

FOOD STORAGE MADE EASY

OK, all of you who have questions on WHERE DO I BEGIN with food storage -- I have the answers for you. Well, better put, ANITRA has the answers....

If you are interested in attending a TELECONFERENCE where she will answer your questions, address your concerns, and help you understand those very first steps in personalizing your food storage program in your home, set aside this date and time:

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1st at 6 P.M.
Come join me around my computer where we can listen and learn together or call me and I will tell you how to connect at your own home. I love it when we get together because we can help each other answer questions, but you can certainly do this in your own home as well. I am reserving us a spot online today -- please let me know if you are interested in joining me here -- and afterwards, I am happy to answer whatever other questions you may have about food storage and how to get started, how to get to the next level, etc.
You are also more than welcome to come and see how I have my food storage laid out in my own home and how I organize it. I am a visual person and I learn best by "seeing" -- if that is you, come join me at my house that evening and let's learn together. Please e-mail me at susan_wheatley@comcast.net if you are interested in joining me that night or if you would like to find out how to join the teleconference at your own home/computer.
School starts tomorrow... are you ready?
Have a great day!
Susan

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Sick and Tired

Well, I am home sick today for the second day in a row, but can't sleep anymore (hopefully that is a good sign that I am finally on the mend).... so, I thought I would post on my blog....

A few things have been on my mind lately. Thought I would share some of them with you:

1. For those of you who haven't heard, sugar prices are going to be going up quite a bit. Bad weather in India and Brazil (the world's two largest producers) has made it so that the crops are threatened this year. Analysts say to prepare for a 28 year high on prices of sugar. So, watch for a decent sale and STOCK UP soon!

2. I found a WONDERFUL blog the other day and would like to share it with you: www.preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com -- I still haven't gotten through all the good information that she provides, but let me tell you -- the best thing she has on there is a comparison of prices so that when our case lot sales come on line in a couple of weeks, we will be prepared with all of her wonderful preparations so that we will know what is a good deal, a great deal or a so-so-deal. Check it out!

3. While perusing the above blog, I was referred to another one I really enjoyed -- www.theamericanhomemaker.blogspot.com and I enjoyed that one immensely as well. Thought you might enjoy two new places to search for ideas for your food storage, preparedness, and good tasty recipes.

4. All of our bulk orders have arrived and I am ready to have you come to my home to pick them up. Since I am sick today, let's wait until tomorrow, but please call before you come or else I might be gone. My number is 801-368-9865. I would really appreciate your help in picking these items up as quickly as possible -- also, please remember to bring your money if you haven't paid for them yet.

5. Did you see on the news about the typhoon that hit Taiwan (I think) last week and the fires in California? Thousands of people were given literally MINUTES to evacuate from their homes. Are you ready if suddenly it was our turn? Take a moment and review your emergency plan and your 72-hour-kits.... LET'S GET PREPARED! Follow the counsel of the prophets and be prepared!

6. One last item -- Andrea Urban sent this to me last week and it really brought it home how easily things can turn out of control, even in a small crisis. I, for one, don't want to have to "run to the store with the masses" if a calamity strikes -- I want to be so prepared that I can sit at home and not worry.... read this story and you will see ways that you can be better prepared. For one, please keep cash (in small bills and coins) in your house -- don't rely on the ATM to be working or the credit card machines to work .... read on for more info...

One person's experience when the power was down for ‘just a bit’ imagine the problems if it had not come back on for an extended period of time, or not at all.

An event at my grocery store.A severe storm came through my town last night and it knocked out power in my local grocery store for a bit. This was no big deal, as it has happened before. There was, however, a bigger problem we discovered very quickly: The credit and debit no longer worked, and checks couldn't be used. Foodstamps did not work either. Coincidentally, there was a rush of people in the store at this same time, and the lines began to clog very fast. People in line joked about how anyone ever did this 100 years ago, things like that. Everyone figured the glitch would be ironed out momentarily. Since nothing else worked, those people who were stuck were forced to use the store ATM that would charge them to withdraw money. They weren't happy but they got in line and started to get the cash they needed. Until the ATM froze up. Now the fake smiles and annoyed chatter had disappeared and reality struck for a lot of people, they had no way to access their money, they had no way to pay for their food. Those who unloaded their carts were completely stuck and the ones waiting in line didn't want to give up their spot to go to the bank. People became vocal very quickly. "There's no way the whole system can go at once!" "What do I do now?" "I'm not leaving without this food." People started pointing fingers at the cashiers, THEY must have done something. When the manager tried to explain it was not the cashier's doing, the company was to blame for making such a flawed system. Soon enough, with no knowledge of how the system actually worked, people began blaming others for buying too many groceries in the first place. In the span of a few minutes, perfectly calm, content people turned on those around them and eventually each other because food and money weren't immediately available to them. About that time the manager announced that the debit and checking was back up, and the ATM unfroze and people got their money. All of the things mentioned could have been causes for the glitch, but how the customers reacted was stunning to me. I can't say what would have happened if the problem hadn't resolved itself, but I know that in a situation where other variables were involved such as a national crisis or mass panic, there would have been chaos. If people react in such a way when a small wrench is thrown into the works, what reactions would come from a multitude of things going wrong all at once? After what I saw last night, I wouldn't want to be near a public place should the house of cards topple over, and I don't recommend anyone planning a trip to the store that day.

Just a little food for thought as I am sitting at home not feeling well -- just wish I felt well enough to work on some of those areas. Instead, I think I'll go back and take yet another nap. I hope I feel better tomorrow...

And, as for this coming week, SCHOOL IS STARTING!!!!!

Susan

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN UTAH COUNTY!

Did I get your attention? Well, yesterday I found the best kept secret in Utah County -- THE SPRINGVILLE CANNERY! Yes, that's right -- SPRINGVILLE! I have always gone to the Lindon Cannery, but this cannery in Springville is only an exit away from my house, so I decided to try it.

Here are the advantages:

1. First of all, it is closer than the Lindon cannery.
2. I WAS THE ONLY ONE THERE!!!!!!
3. There is no limit as to how much I could can in one session. I canned about 30 cases of product and the missionaries there were so happy I was there!
4. Brand new facility -- just opened in January of this year!

So, here's the deal -- they said that when they had their cannery in Spanish Fork that it was packed with people everyday and they had to limit it to six cases of product and no more than two hours each. I CANNED over 30 CASES YESTERDAY! There is no limit at the Springville cannery.

I don't know why people aren't coming to the Springville cannery, but between the fact that the prices have dropped so drastically at the cannery and the fact that you can walk in and not be limited as to how much you can can, I have only one piece of advice...

GO TO THE CANNERY!

I plan on going again either Thursday (tomorrow) or next Monday. If anyone wants to join me, I'd love the company! I don't have tons more to can, but I can help you!

We have been given a wonderful gift -- others would love to have this opportunity. Springville is my cannery from now on for dry pack foods (they don't do wet pack, so I'll still be going to Lindon for that).

Also, go to this link for Anitra's newsletter this week. I LOVE ANITRA -- she has helped me so much in my organization of and passion for food storage and preparedness. Check her out...

Also, a reminder to those in my ward -- tonight and tomorrow are the nights to go to Jacquie Wood's house to pick out the watch faces for the watches that you will be making at Super Friday on September 18th....
Have a great day -- I already am! Keep smiling!
Susan

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Preparedness Fireside, Sales and Enrichment Meeting

Happy Sunday Evening everyone!

FIRESIDE: I received information about a preparedness fireside for NEXT SUNDAY, August 16th (7-9 pm) in the Santaquin North Stake Center (200 East 550 North, Santaquin). The speaker will be Tim Woolf, who coordinated preparedness efforts in that area of the church for several years. He will be speaking on "how to survive disasters, famine, plague, economic failure and more..." he supposedly has a talent for teaching/sharing that knowledge with others.

So, bring your husband (face it -- both husbands and wives need to know this information) or go with a neighbor -- carpool and you'll have lots to talk about on the way home :) BTW, although the fireside starts at 7 p.m., it should be packed, so plan on getting there EARLY if you want a soft seat!

SALES: For those of you working on our current Humanitarian project (or who need school supplies for your own children), here are a few of the super school sales going on this week:
AT OFFICE MAX: 70 page spiral notebooks - 1 cent each (limit 3 while supplies last), rulers - 5 cents each (limit 3), 10-pack #2 pencils - 10 cents each (limit 3), or Crayola crayons (24 pack) - 20 cents each (limit 3).

AT STAPLES: 70 page spiral notebooks - 1 cent each (limit 6)

AT TARGET: 24 count Rose Art colored pencils - 88 cents each (no limit)

SUPER FRIDAY ENRICHMENT MEETING - Sunset 13th Ward:
Everything is in place for our Super Friday Enrichment Meeting -- Friday, September 18th from 5-10 p.m. We have great mini-classes, a dinner, and craft projects to work on that evening.

For those of you who plan on making the beaded watches craft, make sure to contact Jacquie Wood. She will be hosting an open house this Wednesday and Thursday in the evening for you to come over and order watch faces and she will also have pre-purchased packets of beads that you can purchase from her. Orders should be placed THIS WEEK so that we can have them in time for Super Friday. Don't miss out on these fun watches! If you want to purchase your own beads, try Roberts or Michaels Crafts and use their 40-50% off coupon.

For those who are going to be making the Flirty Aprons, you will need 1 yard of fabric for the front and 1-1/4 yard for the back and ties and pocket. You will also need coordinating thread and a sewing machine. You will want to have your fabric pre-cut so that you can spend the evening doing the actual sewing. CONTACT BRANDI WORLE for more information.

Are you interested in putting together some great gifts of Tiled Sayings on boards? If so, this class is for you! Emily Miller will have samples of different projects next Sunday(16th). At that point, we will have sign-ups so that she can place her order by the end of this month. If you are interested in purchasing your own materials (vases, ornaments, plates, tiles, picture frames, etc.), go ahead and do that and they you can either order your vinyl from Emily or purchase your own separately.

What to do with all those pictures? If you don't want to spend all that time in front of a scanner scanning in all of your old pictures, bring them to Super Friday and we will have a high speed scanner there and we will do it for you! For only 19 cents each, we will have your pictures scanned in and then you can either bring your own CD or flash drive to load them on or you can purchase a CD from our consultant who will be overseeing the scanning.

It's a Grinding Party! If you need/want to have your beans, grains or popcorn ground into flour, bring some with you to Super Friday and we will grind it for you that evening. Don't forget to bring ziplock bags to put it in.... After you grind them, they will store the longest (and keep their nutritional value longer) if you put them in the freezer.

If you have any questions or need phone numbers for the ladies in charge (listed above), please contact me by email (susan_wheatley@comcast.net) and I will direct you....

BULK SALES ORDERS:
I will be picking up all the rest of the orders of bulk powdered milk, seeds, etc. this coming week. Contact me for your total of how much you owe. They can be picked up on Saturday/Sunday (15th/16th) of August at my home. E-mail for more information.

Friday, August 7, 2009

A trip to the cannery planned!

I am planning on making one and maybe two trips to the cannery this next week (August 11th and 13th). If anyone would like to join me, please call me at 801-368-9865 or email me at susan_wheatley@comcast.net.

If you haven't been to the cannery in the VERY RECENT past, you will be astounded and amazed at how low the prices are... they have dropped at the cannery whereas in the grocery stores the prices have skyrocketed! Isn't it amazing how Heavenly Father really, really, really wants to help us obey His commandments and provides such incredible opportunities for us?

If you would like to take a look at the prices at the cannery (as of today), click this link:
http://providentliving.org/pfw/multimedia/files/pfw/pdf/121874_Fall2009WE_HomeStoragePriceSheet_pdf.pdf

I am also going to be taking a trip out to Alpine Food Storage in American Fork on either Tuesday (hopefully) or Thursday of next week. If anyone would like to join me, please let me know. Their website is www.alpinefoodstorage.com and has a wealth of different products (you really need to see this in person to see what a wonderful service this woman -- Chirine -- has to offer to help us in our food storage quest).

Please contact me ASAP if you are interested in going with me next week! FIELD TRIP TIME!

Have a great day -- woke up this morning and it almost felt like fall weather!

Susan

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

CHECK OUT THIS WEEK'S SALE ITEMS!

Picked up the newspaper ads that come in the mail today and .... WOW! There are some great sales in these pages!

BUY LOW:
Lean Ground Beef - $1.38/lb. FRIDAY ONLY -- sold in 3 lb. chub for $4.14 each
TODAY (Wednesday) ONLY AT BUY LOW: Bananas - 3 lbs/$1, Cucumbers - 4 / $1, Green Onions or Fresh Radishes - 5/$1

MACEY'S:
OK, so I am not a soda/pop drinker, but if I was.... check this out:
6 pack/12 oz. cans (7up, A&W, Sunkist and more) = 93 cents / 6 pack -- WOW!
WF 12 oz. Frozen asst Orange or Apple Juice - 93 cents
Speed Stick Deodorant - 93 cents (2.25 oz.)
Oscar Mayer Bologna - 12 oz pkg - 93 cents
Home Pride Bread (20 oz. white or wheat) - 3/$5

ALBERTSON'S:
Pop Tarts- $1.00 each (when you buy 5)

SMITH'S (Love the milk and ground beef prices):
Extra Lean Ground Beef - $1.69/lb
Mountain Dairy Milk - 2/$3
Cottage Bread - 4/$5
Crest Toothpaste (6.4 oz. size) - 10/$10

SUNFLOWER MARKET:
All natural boneless and skinless Chicken Breast - $1.57/lb in family pack
Large California Grown Yellow Peaches - 39 cents/lb.

REAM'S:
WF Milk - 2/$3
Grandma Sycamore's Bread - 3/$5
Yoplait Yogurt (6 oz. size) - 2/88 cents
Red or Green Seedless Grapes - 88 cents/lb

So, that's it for the sale items for this week! Happy Shopping!

Now, how about some recipes for all that yummy ZUCCHINI that we have coming out of our gardens right now --

**Tip before you begin** If you have a very large zucchini (anything bigger than 6 inches) make sure you scrape out the seeds before you grate it. The larger the zucchini gets, the harder the seeds are.
Brown Sugar Zucchini Bread
1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup vegetable oil or 1/4 C. applesauce
1 cup light brown sugar
1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Pinch nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg (1 T. dehydrated egg + 2 T. water)
1-1/2 cups shredded unpeeled zucchini
1/2 cup walnut pieces
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (you don’t have to have this, but it does add a very nice flavor. Remember the zest is only the yellow part. If you grate the white skin underneath the color, it will be very bitter)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
Grease an 8 by 4 by 2-inch loaf pan with 1 teaspoon of the butter.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter, oil/applesauce, and sugar. Cream the mixture until smooth. In a separate bowl combine flour, spices, baking soda, baking powder, and salt and set aside. Add the egg to the creamed mixture and mix until incorporated. Add the flour mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time until all is incorporated, and the batter is smooth.

Fold zucchini, and lemon zest into batter.

Pour batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle nuts on top (this toasts the nuts and creates a fabulous flavor and makes the bread look SO gourmet!). Bake for 55 to 60 minutes until golden brown or when skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve the bread, warm, with butter.

Death by Chocolate, Zucchini Cake

Makes one 8 inch pan, but if you want it for a 9×13 just double the recipe

1/2 C. Brown Sugar
1/4 C. White Sugar
1/4 C. Butter
1/4 C. Oil (or Applesauce)
2 Eggs (if you’re doubling the recipe use 3 eggs)- 2 T. dehydrated eggs + 1/4 C. Water
1 t. Vanilla
1/4 C. Buttermilk-3/4 T. Dry powdered milk + 1/4 C. Water + 1/4 T. lemon juice or white vinegar, let stand for 5 minutes before adding to the recipe
1 1/4 C. Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 t. allspice
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. salt
2 t. baking soda
3 T. cocoa
2 C. Zucchini, grated
1/2 C. Chocolate Chips

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 325.
2. Cream brown sugar, white sugar, butter and oil together in large bowl.
3. Add eggs vanilla and buttermilk and stir well to mix.
4. In a separate bowl mix remaining dry ingredients together and add to mixture.
5. Fold in grated zucchini.
6. Pour into greased, floured 8 inch round cake pan or 8×8 pan.
7. Sprinkle the top of cake with chocolate chips and bake at 325 for 30-35 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Spaghetti Zucchini Bake-serves 8

1 lb. Penne or Macaroni Pasta
1-1/2 lb. Italian Sausage, cooked and cut into bite size pieces or Meatballs (Costco has GREAT Italian meatballs)
2 cans 14 oz. Diced Tomatoes
1-2 cans Mushrooms (optional)
1 can Tomato Paste
1/4 C. Dehydrated onions, hydrated
1-2 Cloves of Garlic
4-5 C. Zucchini, cut into large chunks
1 t. Oregano
2 t. Basil
2 C. Mozzerella Cheese, grated
Salt to Taste

1. Cook your pasta in boiling water until tender.
2. Combine diced tomatoes, mushrooms, tomato paste, hydrated onions, garlic, oregano, and basil in large pot. Heat to boiling and simmer for 5- 10 minutes.
3. While the noodles are cooking, grill Italian sausage. (Or if you’re using the frozen meatballs from Costco, you can just microwave them…EASY!)
4. Place zucchini chunks in a bowl and microwave for 3 minutes (just to cook them slightly).
5. 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 theres with.
6. 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.

**Make ahead tip** You can make this meal in the morning (do everything but place under the broiler) and place in the fridge. To re-heat place it in the oven at 350 for 1/2 hour or until the cheese is melted.

So, let's give it a try -- let others know what you thought of these recipes. BTW, I pulled these recipes from one of my very favorite food storage websites: www.everydayfoodstorage.net CHECK THEM OUT!

Until next time....

Susan

Monday, July 27, 2009

Sales, Great Newsletter, etc....

I love the days when I wake up in the morning and go outside and "commune" with my garden. I don't have the best garden around, by any stretch of the imagination -- as a matter of fact, I am having quite a few problems with it this year. I have been told that I overwater, so this year I am not putting on as much and I think I went the opposite direction. At any rate, I digress... I love early morning -- with the birds chirping and the sun just coming up and my "alone time" -- I love my quiet time. Hope you make time for "me time" often -- it refreshes the soul!

For those of you who are working on our ward's next humanitarian project (or who simply need to buy school supplies for the upcoming school year), here are some of the items on sale this week (though August 1st) here locally (Provo/Orem area):

Office Max:
24 count Schoolio Von Hoolio crayons = 1 cent per pack (limit 3)
• Junior Scissors (blunted or pointed) = 20 cents each (limit 3)
• Assorted erasers and grips = 25 cents per pack (limit 3)
Staples:
• Elmer’s glue (4 oz.) = 25 cents
• Manual pencil sharpener = 25 cents
• 12 pack cap erasers = 25 cents
• Bic Matic Grip mechanical pencils (5 pack) = 25 cents
• Index cards (100 pack) = 25 cents
• Pencil case = 25 cents
Target:
• 12 count Paper Mate pens, pencil box, pencil pouch, or 8 ct water colors = 50 cents
Shopko:
• 70 page notebook of paper or 2 pocket folders = 10 cents each (limit 18 of each)
• Elmer’s glue (4 oz.) Or 24 ct Crayola crayons = 20 cents each (limit 4 of each)
• 12 count Paper Mate pens, Glue sticks (2 pack), 150 pages of filler paper,
100 page composition book, or pencil box = 50 each (some limits apply)

FYI: I receive a newsletter that I absolutely love. It is usually chock full of great ideas, recipes, special classes, special bulk orders, etc. I have been working with the editor of that newsletter, Anitra Kerr (I am sure you have heard me talk about her OFTEN -- I just love the information she puts out there for us) and she has figured out how to give me a link to her newsletters. So, I am going to post it here: http://www.madmimi.com/promotions/16196702861417/raw and then you will see this week's newsletter.

If you are interested in receiving this newsletter every time it is published, please send me a quick e-mail to susan_wheatley@comcast.net and I will forward your e-mail to Anitra. I don't want to send a bulk e-mail list to her in case some of you do not want to be on this listing. You will love her newsletters (as well as her website at http://www.simplylivingsmart.net/). Lots of free instructional videos, etc. -- I subscribe to their site and get trained in classes all year long. I LOVE THIS SITE -- you have heard me say it before and you will hear me say it again. So, go -- check it out!

Also, putting a feeler out there for anyone who would like to get together for another basic breadmaking class OR a Mix a Meal class, where we put together quick and easy mixes that will shorten your time in the kitchen. I am putting together a bulk order (see below for items on sale) of Powdered Dairy products -- using those products, we can make a lot of wonderful "mixes" that help you rotate your food storage, yet eat VERY well--without spending money for the prepackaged mixes. Notice the Mix a Meal cookbook -- a must-have! FABULOUS!

Powdered Eggs (100 per can) = $18.70
Powdered Milk - Country Cream (5 gallons per can) = $13.30
Powdered Cheddar Cheese (great for Mac and Cheese) = $16.20
Powdered Butter = $16.30
Mix a Meal Cookbook = $11.95

If you are interested and have not already signed up, send me an e-mail at susan_wheatley@comcast.net with your order NO LATER THAN AUGUST 15th!

Take care -- have a great week and I'll be posting grocery sales on Tuesday! See you back here again then!

Susan