Saturday, September 29, 2012

The Doom and Bloom Handbook- Review

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I feel an important part of any food storage are books of all kinds, but especially books on first aid.  You can have all your information stored on you computer, but if there was no power you will need a hard copy of your stored information.  I have been trying to slowly add books to my storage and I was really excited to purchase this book, but.....



The Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Handbook was highly rated on Amazon so I decided to add it to my preparedness library.  I was expecting a book on how to administer medicine, first aid, and other treatments so I could have all that information in one book.  But it really was a reference book on what you could come across in an emergency if you were the only medic available.  It gave descriptions on different things you may come across in a societal collapse like snake bites, sanitation issues, all types of infections, high blood pressure, etc., but not how to treat many of them.  I guess I was looking for more of a medicine how-to book than just an encyclopedia of different medical terms.  And for the price of around $30 I was really hoping for more.  On a positive note, Dr. Alton does go into herbal medicine and essential oils a little bit and I do agree that we need to have those in our storage.

This is a review from someone on Amazon that bought the book and it summed up how I felt about it too.....

"I just did the first read through on D&B and it is a good book. There is a great deal of information on herbal pharmacology and the effective use of antibiotics and wound treatment. Where it looses points is on the constant references to other books and youtube videos. I think this book could have been more stand alone given the obvious skill and knowledge of the authors. I would have liked to have seen more on long term care and the austere nature of techniques we would end up using in a post collapse situation. I also think the book could have done without the add for their trauma kit they sell. So while it is a wonderful supplement to whats out there it is not a one stop shop. so 3.5 star"

Friday, September 28, 2012

Stock Up Grocery Deals

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Here are the deals I feel are stock-up-worthy, in my opinion, for this week.  If you spend just a couple of extra dollars every week you can fill your pantry and have the security of food storage.  

My laptop keeps getting some kind of virus in Firefox and I haven't been able to access my blog.  I am sorry this post is a few days late.

  •  10LB BAG POTATOES $1.99
  • KROGER SOUR CREAM, CREAM CHEESE, OR COTTAGE CHEESE $1.00
  • BARILLA PASTA $1.00
That is about it for this week's deals.  Some weeks are better than others, so having a stocked pantry helps in the slower deal weeks when you don't want to have to pay full price for something you may run out of.  Buying at least 3 months worth of each item in your storage allows you to wait until the price is right before restocking.  I don't have to pay full price for the food we eat because I bought it at it's lowest price and I can wait until it goes on sale again.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Prepare Today Homemade- Upside Down Taco Bake

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Upside Down Taco Bake is a recipe that I converted to use my food storage.  The original recipe calls for ground beef, and being a vegetarian I don't cook with ground beef, so I used Honeyville's taco flavored tvp instead. Using the tvp it also makes this recipe a shelf stable recipe.  You could also use home canned ground beef as well.   Putting together a meal takes minutes when using tvp because all you have to do is reconstitute and bake.  The only ingredient that I don't have a food storage option for is avocados.  If someone can come up with a way to store avocados long term, you will be a millionaire!!


The original recipe calls for 1 1/2lbs of ground beef so I add 2 C of really hot water to a measuring cup and add just over 1C of the tvp crumbles to it.  It only takes about 5 minutes for the water to be absorbed and it's ready to be used in a recipe.

 Here is a side-by-side view of the tvp crumbles from the can (on the left) and reconstituted (on the right).


The topping for this recipe calls for a cornbread mix but I use a homemade mix instead.  I ran out of cornmeal so I quickly ground up some popcorn into cornmeal using my Nutrimill.  Grind the popcorn on the coarse setting.  Check your instructions for your mill to see if you can grind popcorn in it, not all mills will be able to handle the popcorn.

  Tomato sauce and dehydrated onion are two other pantry ingredients that are added to the taco tvp.  I add the onion to the tvp when it is reconstituting so they will be done at the same time.

 Mix together the taco tvp, tomato sauce, powdered egg, and onion.

Spread the mixture into a 13x9 pan and bake for 15 minutes at 350°.

While the "meat" mixture is baking, stir together the cornbread topping ingredients.  

 Stir them together until the batter is smooth and let rest a few minutes.

 Pour the batter onto the top of the warmed meat mixture and bake again for 15 minutes at 400°.

 When serving you can invert the entire 13x9 pan onto a serving platter, or just scoop out individual servings and turn upside down on a plate.  I have found the second way a little less messy.

Upside Down Taco Bake 
1 generous C taco tvp + 2 C hot water (1 1/2lbs ground beef cooked and drained with taco seasoning)
1 egg ( 1 T egg powder + 2 T water)
1 T dehydrated onion
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1 pkg taco seasoning ONLY if  you are using ground beef
1 pkg cornmeal muffin mix (or 1 recipe cornbread topping below)

Cornbread Topping
1 C cornmeal
1 C flour
1/3 C sugar
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/4 C oil
1 egg
1 C milk

Reconstitute the tvp and onion together in the hot water.  If necessary drain before adding other ingredients.  Combine the beef (tvp or beef cooked with taco seasoning), egg, onion, tomato sauce and spread into a sprayed 13x9 pan.  Bake at 350° for 15 minutes.  While the meat is baking, mix together the cornbread topping ingredients.  Stir until combined and let rest.  Spread over the meat mixture when it's done and bake at 400° for 15-20 minutes or until the cornbread is a little brown around the edges.  Let rest on counter for 10 minutes before serving.  Invert onto a serving platter is desired, or turn each serving upside down when serving. **This meal is easily cooked in the sun oven as well!

Top each serving with your choice of lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, avocado, olives, cheese, guacamole, green onions, etc.



Everyone can individualize their own serving and it makes for a complete meal.  Sometimes we will have some fruit with this meal, but it turns into an all-in-one dish.  

Friday, September 21, 2012

Honeyville Grain's New Store!!!

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If you don't know, I am a HUGE Honeyville Grain fan :)  I love the people, the products, and the preparedness mindset that Honeyville promotes.  I have been attending cooking and preparedness classes at Honeyville for over a year and a half now out by the airport.  Some people have commented to me that it is too far to go for a class, so NOW you have NO excuses!!  The new Honeyville Retail store will be open on Monday, September 24th!!  I had the privilege of attending the grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony and I couldn't wait to let you all see the brand new store!!  Lets take a tour....
 
The ribbon was cut and excitement was felt all through the crowd.  I wish you could have seen the smiles on all the faces there, we were all so happy to be a part of this day!

 Honeyville is located very conveniently between Home Depot and Costco in Salt Lake City (right between Zurchers and The Dollar Store in the strip mall).  If you visit Costco frequently then you will have no reason not to stock up on your food storage, Honeyville is right next door!  The address is 389 West 1830 South.  You can take the 21st south exit off of I-15 if you are coming from the south, OR take the 13th S exit if you are coming from the north off of I-15.  

 The new store is beautiful and has all of your food storage, bulk grains (go in just to look at all the different grains), and emergency preparedness items that you may need.  They even carry gluten free items as well.  The new store is light, bright, and so well stocked!

 And you MUST sign up to attend one of Honeyville's classes!!  They are free and you learn soooo much from each and every class.  The new teaching kitchen is gorgeous and will make teaching and learning much more efficient. Isn't it pretty!! There will be a large mirror so everyone will be able to see what is being cooked.  Click HERE to see what classes are coming up.

Picture yourself here, learning everything you ever needed to know about food storage!!

 The next few photos showcase all the amazing products that Honeyville carries in their store.  You will find everything you need to cook with, bake with, and complete your food storage. And they also have fun kitchen gadgets that we all just need to make us smile :)




If I haven't sold you on this store yet, come by next week and meet Doug Wright and the Food Nanny (Liz Edmunds).  Doug will be airing live from Honeyville on the 28th and there will be giveaways and prizes all week long.  

Lisa chats with Liz Edmunds the Food Nanny!!
 What time you may ask????  Monday, September 24th at 9:00AM-6:00PM  and Saturday 9-5.  The whole week will be filled with fun, food, prizes, and amazing people!!  Don't miss out! 


Honeyville Farms
Salt Lake City Store

389 West 1830 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84115


Phone:(801) 839-7576
FAX:
(801) 972-8412


Hours of Operation

Monday - Friday: 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Saturday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM


Honeyville on Facebook

And you would think that I work for them, but I don't.  I was not compensated for this post, I truly love this company and the people that do work there!!

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Stock Up Grocery Deals

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Here are the deals I feel are stock-up-worthy, in my opinion, for this week.  If you spend just a couple of extra dollars every week you can fill your pantry and have the security of food storage.  


S&S CANNED BEANS .50EA


S&W CANNED TOMATOES .99 BUY 10 SAVE $5 WITH IN STORE COUPON =.49 A CAN!

DEL MONTE CANNED VEGGIES .99 BUY 10 AND SAVE $5 WITH IN STORE COUPON = .49 A CAN!!



KROGER COTTAGE CHEESE OR SOUR CREAM $1.00 (STORE UPSIDE DOWN IN YOUR FRIDGE TO EXTEND THE SHELF LIFE FOR A FEW MONTHS!)

DON JULIO TORTILLAS $1.00 (FREEZE THEM FOR LONGER TERM STORAGE)

BARILLA PASTA $1.00


RED OR GREEN GRAPES .88LB

BULK SEA SALT .39LB

BULK BROWN RICE .69LB


  
Honeyville is opening a brand new retail store in Salt Lake City on Monday, September 24th and they have a few great deals that you should check out!  Store location and deals are HERE!! 

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

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The case lot sales continue this week!  Make sure to stock up  now while the prices are low!! 



  • BOTAN RICE 20LB $9.99
  • HUNTS PASTA SAUCE 12CT CASE $10.56
  • KROGER BEANS 24CT CASE $13.68 (THEY ARE A LITTLE CHEAPER AT HARMONS)
  • KROGER 5LB BAGS FLOUR 8CT CASE $12.72
  • KROGER CANNED FRUIT 24CT CASE $18.96
  •  KROGER MAC & CHEESE 48CT CASE $18.72
  • KROGER MUSHROOMS 24CT CASE $12.00
  • KROGER PEANUT BUTTER 12CT CASE $18.99
  • KROGER PINEAPPLE 24CT CASE $21.12
  • KROGER TOMATOES 24CT CASE $12.00
  • KROGER TOMATO SAUCE 24CT CASE $4.80
  • KROGER 24CT WATER $2.50
  • RAMEN CUP OF NOODLES 12CT CASE $3.00
  • RAMEN NOODLES 24CT CASE $3.42
  • TILLMOOK CHEESE 5LB $9.99
Smiths requires you purchase the whole case to get the case lot price.  If it is too much food for you, split it with a friend or neighbor.
  •  SHUR SAVING CANNED FRUIT 29OZ 12CT CASE $11.88=.99ea
  • BEANS 24CT CASE $11.76=.48ea
  • WESTERN FAMILY DICED GREEN CHILES 24CT CASE $11.76=.49ea
  • OATS 50lb $22.99
Harmons will let you buy individual cans instead of a whole case.

Click HERE to view all the grocery deals from Grocery Smarts!!

Monday, September 10, 2012

Prepare Today Homemade- Household Solutions by Jillee

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I am always on the look out for "recipes" to make everyday household products.  Over the weekend I found a really great website called One Good Thing by Jillee, and she has come up with "recipes" for so many household products that I probably looked at her blog for over 2 hours!  I was pinning everything and I couldn't wait to try her ideas.  What originally took me to her site was a recipe for homemade shower gel.  I was just thinking the other day in the shower that it shouldn't be that hard to make shower gel, and then I found Jillee's recipe on Pinterest when I wasn't even looking for it. I couldn't wait to try it!

Photo from One Good Thing By Jillee!!
 Click HERE to see her post on homemade shower gel and see how easy it is to make and also how much money you will save!  I have 5 kids and they all use shower gel, this recipe is going to save me a ton of money!  And she also has a recipe for the manly version of shower gel, click HERE for that one!

The other recipes that I wanted to try were.....

Homemade Dryel Cloths

Make your own laundry color catchers

No-Grate Laundry Detergent

Make your own Sanitizing Wipes or Swipes

Homemade Granite cleaner

Homemade "Shout" Stain Remover

And SO much more!! Click HERE to see her complete list of Homemade Solutions.  One Good Thing by Jillee is definitely more than only one good thing, it is a website FULL of good things!!

Monday, September 3, 2012

Prepare Today Homemade- Muffin Tin Mexican Bites

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I think I may have a new obsession....making food in muffin tins. I started off making school lunch recipes using a muffin tin for portion sizes, but I now love to use my muffin tin for dinners too.  For some reason my family loves the mini version of whatever I am making versus the same dish as a casserole. 

I found the recipe for Mini Mexican Pizzas on Pinterest, of course, and I have been so excited to make it for several days now.  It was one of the easiest meals that I have made in quite a while now and it will be inserted into our menu rotation!  The kids loved it and I loved that it was vegetarian.  If you don't know, I don't eat red meat or poultry but I do cook chicken for my family.  I have some kids that like meat and others that don't.  This recipe called for ground beef so I substituted TVP (textured vegetable protein) in this recipe.  I have to say that TVP has come a long way since I started eating it in the 90's.  I used to buy Morning Star Farms products quite a bit, but now I use #10 cans from Honeyville instead.  It saves me money and I think they taste better.  The beef flavored bits were what took me to Honeyville a few years ago and I have been hooked ever since. They now have several "flavors" that make adding them to meals so easy! Click HERE to see all the tvp products that Honeyville sells.  (I don't get paid for saying this.  I like to promote products that I feel are amazing and that I use regularly)


 To make this recipe pantry friendly you could make your tortillas from scratch.  I buy tortillas when they are on sale and keep several packages in the freezer.  BUT I do know how to make tortillas from scratch.  Don't forget that you need to know how to make the foods you normally buy from the store!!  I did use fresh cheese in this recipe, but the freeze dried cheese from Honeyville would also work perfectly in this recipe.  



This is the taco flavored TVP that I used for our mini pizzas.  It couldn't be easier to reconstitute.  One part hot water to one part TVP.  I needed 1 cup of meat for the recipe so I used 1/2 cup TVP and 1/2 cup hot water and let it sit for a few minutes. I then added the rest of the ingredients and stirred.  

 Muffin Tin Mexican Bites
3-4 tortillas cut into 12 circles
1 C meat (1/2 C Taco flavored TVP + 1/2 C Hot water)
1/2 C salsa
2 t taco seasoning (if using taco flavored TVP omit this)
1/2 C black beans
1/2 C cheese (I used sharp cheddar and Monterrey jack) + cheese for the top
Sliced olives for the top of each muffin

toppings:  olives, lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, tomatoes

Preheat the oven to 425°.  Brown your meat with the taco seasoning or reconstitute the TVP in hot water.  Add the remaining ingredients and stir until combined.  Cut 12 circles from the tortillas and press into muffin tin. (don't throw away the extra tortillas pieces-see bonus material below)  I baked my tortillas for 5 minutes before adding my mixture, I didn't want a soggy crust.  After the tortillas bake add about 1/8 C mixture into each muffin cup.  Top with a few sliced olives and a sprinkle of cheese.  Bake at 425° for 12-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.  Serve with the toppings listed above. 

Sorry about the pink plate. It was the only pizza still intact when I needed to take the picture.  The rest were eaten!
For a twist on this my friend made these with wonton wrappers instead of tortillas and she said they were delicious!  They were a total hit with my family and they will be a part of our menu from now on.  My child that hates most food ate 3 of them!! I am going to make several batches of these next time and freeze them for lunches or snacks!

Bonus Material!!!
 I couldn't throw away all the scraps after cutting out my tortillas for this dinner so I made a dessert out of them.



Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Bites
Preheat oven to 400°.  Spread out the tortilla scraps into a single layer in a pie tin or cookie sheet.  Spray with cooking spray and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.  We use Chef Tess' Wise Woman of The East for the cinnamon, available at the Honeyville retail stores.  Bake them for only about 5 minutes, or until the edges are starting to turn brown.  I knew they were a hit when I had to pull my 5 kids away from the pie tins.  I should have taken a picture.  They looked like it was feeding time at the zoo! :)

Saturday, September 1, 2012

National Preparedness Month & Honeyville's New Retail Store!!

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September is National Preparedness Month and there are some really great things happening that you should try to attend.  



You probably know how much I love Honeyville Grain and also how much I love attending their classes. So....you'll will be as excited as I am to hear this news.  Honeyville is opening a brand new retail store!!!  They will have a beautiful teaching kitchen with the latest technology so you can see on monitors what is being prepared on the counters.  Imagine all the amazing classes you can attend and learn from the experts!!  I can't tell you how much information I have learned from the Honeyville teaching kitchen. 

The new location will be right by the Home Depot on 21st and Costco in Salt Lake City, right between the Dollar Store and Zurchers.  The exact address is 1850 S. 389 W.  It is right off the freeway and easy to access!  

The grand opening is September 24-29 and there will be giveaways, classes, and so much more!  You don't want to miss out!  On the 28th the Doug Wright show will be airing live from the new store and there will be even more prizes and giveaways!!  And if you love the Food Nanny she will be attending the grand opening festivities as well!! 

Click HERE for more information!!


And if you are an Emergency Essentials fan they are also celebrating National Preparedness Month......... 
  National Preparedness Month Activities
Brought to you by
Emergency Essentials

The following is a list of events happening at our stores during the month of September to celebrate National Preparedness Month.

Readiness Relay – Sept 1st through 30th
Come test your speed in building a small emergency kit, packing food storage boxes, and suiting up in some emergency gear. The overall best time will win a $50 gift card. So stop in any of our four store locations to participate any time in September.

Sample Saturdays – Every Saturday in September
You’ve wondered how food storage items and emergency foods taste, so come try a free sample. We’re confident you’ll be amazed at how familiar tasting shelf-stable foods can be.

September 3rd (Labor Day) – Scratch and Dent Sale 10 am - Noon
Some of our best values are found in our scratched and dented inventory items. We hold these items for special sales such as this and mark them down 50%. These items go fast, so don’t miss out!

September 8th – Murray Fire Department 1 pm – 3pm – Murray store only
The Murray Fire Department will be on site to talk with you one on one about fire safety.

September 11th – Patriot Day Observance
Get 10% off when you show military ID. Exclusions are year supplies and combos, products from Bosch, Nutrimill, Wondermill, L'Equip, water storage containers, and Mountain House cans.

September 12th Food Storage Class at 2pm and 7pm
Topics covered- types and varieties of food storage, their shelf life, and tips for smart food storage shopping. Attendees who register are entered into a drawing. Register at facebook.com/EmergencyEssentialsUtah

September 19th Water Class at 2pm and 7pm
Topics covered- water storage, water rotation, impurities to guard against, popular treatment methods. Attendees who register are entered into a drawing. Register at facebook.com/EmergencyEssentialsUtah

September 22nd – Bountiful Fire Department 1 pm – 3pm – Bountiful store only
The Bountiful Fire Department will be on site to talk with you one on one about fire safety.

September 26th – Emergency Kit Class at 2pm and 7pm
Topics covered- defining disasters and their terms, ways we are reliant, and suggested components you’ll want to consider in order to be self-reliant. Register at facebook.com/EmergencyEssentialsUtah

Store hours – Mondays 10 am to 6 pm, Tuesdays – Saturdays 10 am to 9 pm, closed Sundays.
Orem Store – 216 E University Parkway (801) 222-9667
South Jordan Store – 968 W South Jordan Parkway Suite A (801) 254-6510
Murray Store – 6356 S State Street (801) 268-2226
Bountiful Store – 70 S 500 West (801) 298-5487
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