2009 Food Storage Challenge (March Update) - Page 5

[Aubergine68]

Originally Posted by Jyotsna

Aubergine,

Did you make ketchup from that recipe??? I'd be curious to know how it turned out, and also how much volume you got. I still have some ketchup in my food storage, quite a bit actually, but I'd be very interested in making it so I know wht goes into it.
!

I did!

I used tomatoes that I stuck in the freezer at the end of the growing season, instead of tinned ones. I cooked them a bit and then decided to triple the recipe based on the amount I had. The proportions were a little off for the flavors. It ended up a little sweet tasting compared to say, Heinz, -- maybe the tomatoes were higher in natural sugars than canned? Or maybe I should use vine-ripened rather than ripened in a cardboard box after the first frost.

But the ketchup is very yummy. I am eating it happily, and so is one of the little boys in my life, but the others say it is too different.

I got about 5 pints.

There is another ketchup recipe posted in the thread on corn syrup here that looks really good. I'll try that one another time.

I need to find one based on pounds of tomatoes rather than cans to really suit my needs, I think!

[krankedyann]

Ladies, I just want to encourage you to keep pounding away at gathering your storage, bit by bit, chunk by chunk.

My husband came home recently to announce that his company laid off half of their employees, and the other half (including him) would be receiving a 20% pay cut AND a reduction in hours for at least two months, maybe longer. IF the company stays open. It has dropped my food budget to $125 a month, and we have food allergies to contend with! I can't go to a food pantry and take anything they offer me.

I consider it a huge blessing that I had some food in storage before this happened. I now use my whole grains and my grain mill to make a different porridge every morning for breakfast. If I didn't have that and basic staples like salt, baking soda, some meat and butter in the freezer, I'd be scrambling to afford just enough food to get us by, and we'd likely be eating two meals a day.

Keep plugging along! It's worth the effort!

[Aubergine68]

s, krankedyann I am glad that you have found some security on this path...hope your family finds general financial security again soon.


Question: How long do you have to freeze grains/flour for and at what temp range?

There is a sale on the flour I usually buy and we are having a cold snap this week (between 20 and minus 10 F.) Can I just buy a bunch and put it in a rubbermaid in my back yard for a few days and consider any bugs done for?

[JoyfamMama]

Hi Guys! I'm in. My DH recently told me this is something he wants up to do. I was kinda overwhelmed at first, but just trying to take it one thing at a time. I don't know many people here yet, since I just moved here, but I found out last week that our pastor's wife, whom I am getting very close to, also has plans to do some major storing up. Neither one of us was brave enough to tell the other at first, though, for fear of being thought "crazy"!! LOL.

Originally Posted by Jyotsna

KariM,

Can you tell me how you can your soups? I often make a double batch of soup, and freeze half. I'd like to can half instead, and see how it turns out. Can you give me some links on canning soup, or is it basically just like canning veggies??

Thanks. I'm interested in canning everything I can. LOL

Jyotsna, since I didn't see an answer to your question, I though I'd answer it. You MUST process (either by hot water bath, or pressure canning) whatever soup you make according to the ingredient with the LONGEST time (as if you were canning that ingredient separately) . For example, meat takes the longest. So, if you are canning chili - go with the time for beef, not the tomatoes, onions, or anything else. Hope that makes sense.

I've canned a LOT of soups, seasoned beans, condensed soups (like cream of mushroom, cream of potato, cream of celery), chili, etc before and had really, really good success. I'd be glad to share recipes with anyone who wants them. I'm growing a huge garden this year, and will be canning tons of stuff, as well as turning it into the above pre-made things (thinking of power outages/shortages - it takes while to cook dried beans, but just a few min. to heat them up, or even could be eaten cold).

I'd also really like to get a supply of things like Bragg's Liquid Aminos, Worcestershire sauce, vinegars (balsamic is my fav!), even hot sauce, etc. which would really help with turning bland foods into something that actually tastes like things used to. Makes me sad to think of it.

Anyway, just full of ideas

[Jyotsna]

JoyFamMama,

Thanks for the information. I'll have to can some leftover soups soon, just to see.

I'm excited to be moving into my third month of bulk buying. I stopped by the place where I was going to get some buckets, and they had just tossed them out yesterday! They had saved 60 buckets and lids! So, they have my name and they will be saving about 10 for me over the next few days, then they will call me.

I had thought about how many people could have gotten buckets if only they hadn't tossed them.

[Jyotsna]

March Food Storage Challenge

Okay, for March, I've got two challenges for you!

1. Begin gathering seeds if you haven't already. Let us know what seeds you have, and which seeds you need. What are your gardening plans for this spring? Can you do spring gardening where you live? What's the planting date in your area for your very first spring plantings?

2. Second bulk storage purchase. Time to purchase your second bulk item for your storage. Do you eat rice? Do you have enough for the next 2 to 3 months? Or do you enjoy baking? If so, do you know where to buy wheat? Either way, scope out the place where you will buy your next bulk purchase. I'm focusing on wheat in March. Also cans of tomatoes, since we use SO MANY of them.

Okay, so you have some storage containers, you're planning your next bulk purchase, and you are well on your way to completing your next food storage challenge. If you see other things you need, and you have the extra money, why not go ahead and buy another bulk item? For those with limited income, you will want to just focus on ONE bulk item at a time.

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

[Jyotsna]

AmyAmanda's post...worth looking at....

http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1044294

AmyAmanda started a good thread, which asks many great questions. I suggest you check it out and try to answer some of the questions.

[Jyotsna]

Depression Cooking with Clara (youtube)

I have found the cutest granny, who has a series of videos demonstrating her "depression cooking". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4IjNV3lZkQ

I just watched the fig cookie video, and I have got to make those. They look so delicious. Only thing is that I would use butter instead of lard.

I've watched almost all of the videos this afternoon, and I wish I had a Grandma Clara at my house.

[JoyfamMama]

We just had her peppers and eggs for breakfast this morning. Yum, Yum! She's so adorable. Thanks for sharing, Jyotsna

[Aubergine68]

THanks for the link to the depression cooking, Jyotsna. I only have one day this week on computer, but I have GOT to find the time to sit down and watch those!

Originally Posted by Jyotsna

Okay, for March, I've got two challenges for you!

1. Begin gathering seeds if you haven't already. Let us know what seeds you have, and which seeds you need. What are your gardening plans for this spring? Can you do spring gardening where you live? What's the planting date in your area for your very first spring plantings?
Our last frost date here is the third week of May -- though I have a spot next to our house on the south side that is very sheltered and will grow spinach, etc in April, usually. It is too early here to even plant seedlings indoors, yet!

My gardening task right now is to get out some pieces of black tarp that I cut to fit my gardening beds and anchor them over the beds. I have a theory that I can thaw the ground faster. I also have a plan for making a cold frame out of cardboard, tinfoil and plastic that I have on hand and will see what I can do about getting some greens going. (If you Google "cardboard cold frame" you get lots of ideas for improvising one - too many to list.)

It is definitly time to plan the garden, though. I have bought seeds and have some left from last year. I bought heritage varieties because I want to save seeds from more plants this year. My sister and her dh have a greenhouse built onto their garage and they grow seedlings for me. I have to make a list of what we want and find out what supplies (pots/potting soil) they will need from me for this.[/COLOR]


2. Second bulk storage purchase. Time to purchase your second bulk item for your storage. Do you eat rice? Do you have enough for the next 2 to 3 months? Or do you enjoy baking? If so, do you know where to buy wheat? Either way, scope out the place where you will buy your next bulk purchase. I'm focusing on wheat in March. Also cans of tomatoes, since we use SO MANY of them.

I would love to try buying and grinding grains for breadmaking, but am not there right now.

I am researching water storage containers and water purifiers. I am looking for something that will work for camping and also for home emergency storage. We do have a little on hand and I'm reusing containers for water, but a lot of irregular-sized containers don't stack easily and make poor use of limited storage space, ykwim?

What I've been concentrating on is buying 1 or 2 extras of non-perishable or slow-perishing products we usually use on regular shopping trips to have an inventory on hand. We have extras on hand of our favorite kinds of salsa, hard cheese, brown rice, flour, sugars, honey, cereal, butter, lard, taco chips, raisins, apples....

The one thing I have bought for true food storage purposes that I wouldn't otherwise use is shelf-stable milk, both soymilk in tetrapacks and canned evaporated milk. I do use a little of this rarely for the kids when we travel or go camping, but usually I have to pay close attention to expiry dates and make sure it is rotated properly.

My dh and I have been using dried mint and chamomile and other herbs from our garden last year more often instead of coffee and tea that we can't grow ourselves - and enjoying it!

Spring is egg season. The farmers markets here have a glut of eggs in spring and it is the only time we can get them at the market at a price that rivals supermarket eggs. I know there are ways other than refrigeration to preserve eggs. Something about waxing the shells or a brine solution?
Here is a link that looks useful. Maybe this is the year I will experiment with that.

[PlayaMama]

i'm loving this thread!!

not much for me to add right now, i feel like such a beginner in this realm, i've consistently been trying to eat our pantry down to save money and really, we do have a little bit extra so why not stock up on things that won't go bad?

i'm getting some buckets and gamma lids next month and planning on a larger than normal azure order. i love azure standard!! whatever is on sale, canned tomatoes, veggie broth, pasture butter :...

i'm hoping to convince my mom to bring up a chest freezer for me when she comes up for a visit at the end of this month. it's free for her in exchange for some lamb she gave the owner of a restaurant so it would just need to be loaded in her truck or van and brought up here.

it would increase our storage a LOT! since out fridge is rather small.

i'm saving fir a grain mill by may and i think i'll stock up on grains after i get that. i'll probably start a new thread but i'm trying to decide between a family grain mill and the country life, any experiences either way??

[not now]

Originally Posted by Jyotsna

Okay, for March, I've got two challenges for you!

1. Begin gathering seeds if you haven't already. Let us know what seeds you have, and which seeds you need. What are your gardening plans for this spring? Can you do spring gardening where you live? What's the planting date in your area for your very first spring plantings?

For seeds we have: pole beans, green beans, yellow squash, zucchini squash, watermelons, cantelope (sp?), spinach, soy beans, corn, cucumbers, kale, onions, peas, sugar snap peas, peppers, roma tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, basil, catnip, cilantro and stevia.

In the ground now: broccoli, mixed leaf lettuce. The lettuce is producing tons but the broccoli is still growing.

In the ground since past years: strawberries, dwarf lemon tree, three blueberry trees, asian pears, apple tree, nectarine, green/red grapes and a ginormous artichoke.

I don't know planting dates. I pick the fruits/veggies and the man figures out the rest. I know the peas have to go in soon and that we have starters growing in kitchen window that are already sprouting.

2. Second bulk storage purchase. Time to purchase your second bulk item for your storage. Do you eat rice? Do you have enough for the next 2 to 3 months? Or do you enjoy baking? If so, do you know where to buy wheat? Either way, scope out the place where you will buy your next bulk purchase. I'm focusing on wheat in March. Also cans of tomatoes, since we use SO MANY of them.

Bulk storage is my weak spot since I don't have tons of room in the house and (due to summer heat and the man's woodworking tools) not much can go in the garage. Basements are rare in my part of the country. I am trying to talk him into a chest freezer that would fit in the garage. I saw one at Costco for around $200. My uncle always buys whole cows and pigs and is always on the lookout for someone to take half.

I'm ok on canned goods but should probably pick up some more. As far as bulk food storage goes, my grandmother was the queen of bulk storage. Now that she's demented and recovering from a heart attack my mom (who takes care of her full-time) is using up her stash so the house can be sold. Grandma will be living with my aunt who has her own food storage. I'm taking as many of her bins, cans and whatnot as I can.

Once I figure out the container situation I'll make big purchases at both Costco and Winco (great bulk area).

[mamadelbosque]

Hi there, we orderd most all of our seeds a couple months ago, so we're set for that. A couple weeks ago now my dad got his first batch of lettuce/greens/spinach started and they're all looking good. Then last weekend we got 2 flats (so 48 total) broccoli plants started, and they too are looking fantastic. I think out of 48 cells planted only 3 don't have anything coming up, and we can easily move a couple others around Once we get all this stuff either planted or in peat pots (depending on the weather) here in a few more weeks, we'll be starting our tomatoes & peppers and such

This month, I'm ordering long grain rice, as I'm nearly out (25#) and *attempting* sucanat *again*!!! One of these days that stuff just HAS to come in, right??? Oh, and more garlic granules (we're on our last 1# bag. I swear, we go through more bloody garlic granules than most people would believe was humanly possible!!)

[Jyotsna]

Aubergine,

You are SO welcome. She is just the cutest grandma! (great grandma I think). And to be so clear at her age, in my opinion, is a sign of the way she ate. She said they ate in small quanities. I'm trying to listen to this. Also, perhaps having community may be the number one health aspect for her. She has talked about always having people around them. And now she has grandchildren and great grandchildren and all their friends. I think loneliness must be the worst thing for our health.

Hope you enjoy the videos. They are slow, since she is, but if you have a bulk amount of time, it would be worth it just to listen to her talk, and watch her cook.

And I definately check out the cardboard cold frame sites. Sounds like something doable!

[Jyotsna]

Krankydiann,

I'm sorry I didn't mention earlier...very sorry to hear about your husbands job loss. I'm glad you have a good food storage, and that it will help you until he finds a job. Hang in there. I'm hoping your situation changes very soon.

Playmama, glad you can join us. What is your plan for your chest freezer should you lose electricity? Do you have a generator? Have you thought it might be a good idea to get the generator before filling up the freezer? I'd be very worried if I had it filled, and a weather situation or economic crash caused the electricy to go out, and I wasn't prepared. Just a thought. Good luck with your plans, and it sounds like you have some good ideas.

Not Now and Mamadelbosque,

Which planting regions do you live in? Our planting season for broccoli, spinach and lettuce is just starting. I haven't seen the farmers almanac to see if I can go ahead and plant yet, but we had 5 inches of snow yesterday, and I guess I plan to wait a little bit more before planting. Almost exactly a year ago we had the same type of snow, and then we had our last frost almost 4 weeks later.

[mamadelbosque]

We're starting stuff inside atm, in our basement (my dads big xmas present to himself was a whole setup with a heat pad & 4 lights 4' lights for starting stuff inside). We're in zone 4/5 in NE Ohio, and yeah, we got that nasty big snowstorm last winter too. But my dad usually tries to get his first batch of greens outside by mid-late march and they're OK, and so I figure broccoli should be fine about the same time (all can take a frost, just not a super duper hard one).

[PJsmomma]

I've been working on this over the past few months. I always shop with a stockpile in mind anyway. I stock up on things that are on sale.

I'm working towards getting more proteins and canned fruits on the shelf.

How do you store your items?
My biggest thing I need to get moving on is water. What's your best suggestion?

I've been freezing some and putting it in empty spaces in the freezer. I just don't want to save all sorts of water and have it be slimy;0!

[Jyotsna]

PJ'sMomma,

I'd be very interested to read the responses to your question about water. That is quite challenging.

[not now]

I have no idea what zone I'm in. I live in California's central valley so we can grow almost anything. The temp around here has been low 70's so lots of stuff is blooming.

[JTA Mom]

This has changed my food storage plans a lot! I just found it today and it's a goldmine of info. I am so looking into getting a dehydrator (will build a solar one as well, I hope) and doing this. I'll be able to store a whole lot more than I would if I froze/canned it all. http://www.youtube.com/user/Dehydrate2store

She uses a lot of plastic, but I think that's just her. I can't wait to store all the dehydrated foods. We don't eat 'raw' foods much (aka I steam/cook almost everything) so I think this will work with how we eat. I wish I knew how to dehydrate my own butter/milk/eggs/meat. She focuses on fruits & veggies.



As for the Depression Grandma, did you guys watch the newest video "poor man's feast?" Those meat strips were so thin!


Ami