Going Back To The Old Ways

I began food storage in 2009 when my husband started working on our disaster preparedness.   We believe that within our children's or grandchildren's lifetime that America is going to go through a major readjustment!  You may have to begin growing your own food, canning, freezing or dehydrating.  I was part of the latch key kids.  My mom didn't have the luxury of being able to stay home.  So even though my grandmothers may have known how to do this, my parents didn't have the time to pass it down to us!  Through no fault of anyone's these things have been lost with my generation.  Do you remember when the microwave came out?  It made the old ways even more out dated.  But what happens when the electricity or gas is out?  Storms happen, people get sick or laid off...life happens.  I am determined to learn these things so that I can pass them down to my kids.  My boys (15 & 11) can already cook.  My 15yr old can make the best cakes and cookies from scratch.  He gets a craving for cookies and gets down the cookbooks.  This is him a few years ago with his first double layer cake with frosting...both from scratch.  He was sooo excited to be having his pic made, can you tell?

So to start I set out to learn to garden.  However my back wasn't quite as cooperative as I had hoped!  I also began using coupons to start stocking up on items we regularly use.  I purchased some powdered eggs, milk and butter and even a couple of buckets of wheat.  I slowly started using my powdered eggs and milk and am learning about using the butter.  I don't want to wait until the need arises to learn to use it.  I want to be prepared!  We even have started using our wheat!  Since I can't garden then that kinda leaves out the canning and dehydrating, unless I find a really great sale somewhere.  I looked at getting some freeze dried fruits and veggies at shelfreliance.com and ended up becoming a consultant.  I am excited about this because I am going to be learning even more about food storage and how to use it, while teaching others.

Do you store food?  I just feel secure knowing if something happened, whether it is weather related, sickness or natural disaster, that I will be able to provide for my family.  What if we were snowed in like so many up North and my kids decided they wanted pancakes and I am out of eggs?  No problem!

It's not about trusting God to take care of us because I do.  It like that joke about the man drowning in the sea.  A boat spotted him and came to rescue him and he said, "I don't need help, God will save me."  Three times boats came and three times he sent them away.  He finally drowned and when he got to Heaven he asked God why he didn't save him.  God said, "What are you talking about?  I sent you three boats!"

I just don't want to be that mother waiting in line for my government aid because I wasn't prepared.  It's not a matter IF an emergency will arise, it is WHEN!

What's your opinion?

It's easy to keep up with the great sales and recipes! Just subscribe to stay up to date!

The Chocolate Cupcakes From Heaven

Since I have signed up as a consultant with Shelf Reliance I have been trying out some of the recipes on their site.  I tried their Buttermilk Cupcakes.  Let me tell you that these are the BEST chocolate cupcakes I have ever made!!  My kiddos actually at the cake instead of just licking off the icing.  They are so moist and good I made them two days in a row!  This recipe uses buttermilk made from powdered milk and powdered eggs, but you can use the regular kind too.  Take a look!

 I also tried a frosting recipe from their site and instead of using the toffee bits it called for I used Reeces Pieces.

Buttermilk Chocolate Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 c butter, softened
• 1 1⁄2 c THRIVE  white sugar
• 2 THRIVE whole eggs, prepared
• 1 t vanilla
• 1 1⁄2 c THRIVE white flour
• 1⁄2 c baking cocoa
• 1⁄4 t THRIVE iodized salt
• 1 t THRIVE baking soda
• 1⁄2 c buttermilk  (one TBS of vinegar to one cup of milk for a substitute)
• 1⁄2 c water 

If you don't have these THRIVE products yet, just contact me and we can take care of that!  Of course you can always substitute with what you have. :)

Instructions

* Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
* In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, mix in vanilla.
* In a small bowl, mix together buttermilk and water. Set aside.
* In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture, alternating with buttermilk mixture. Mix well.
* Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
* Cool for 10-15 minutes on a wire rack.

If you don't have the powdered eggs, just use 2 eggs, but the powdered eggs are part of what makes these so moist and fluffy!

I am going to be hosting a tasting party at my house soon for you locals!  Be sure to leave a comment if you want to come!

Why I Am Making A "Home Store"

Why do I believe in using coupons to stock up and investing in "food insurance" for my family? 

WATCH THIS!  The numbers don't lie!

It's easy to keep up with the great sales and recipes! Just subscribe to stay up to date!

WOW! I Can't Believe That I Get This Much!!

I was working on my Shelf Reliance stuff this morning and was just shocked at how much I have already earned!  

Take a look at this!

Click here for larger pdf format.

As you can see, if you are serious about building your own home store, it is so much cheaper to do it as a consultant!!  

Want to learn more?  

Visit www.shelfreliance.com/renahearn for more information!!

I would love to answer any questions that you may have!!  

Just send me a message or leave a comment!

It's easy to keep up with the great sales and recipes! Just subscribe to stay up to date!

Spinach Lasagna using Magic Mix

I Love This Spinach Lasagna

To learn to use your food storage, you have to just substitute items in your favorite recipe.  I always liked this Spinach Lasagna recipe because it didn't use ricotta cheese.  My family doesn't like ricotta cheese.  I hadn't made this recipe in years and wanted to try it using Magic Mix.  I have to say that I now LOVE this recipe!

 (Don't you love my Hercules plate?)

What is Magic Mix?  I first learned about Magic Mix from a blog that I follow.  It is a mixture of flour, powdered milk and butter.  You can use it to make a variety of things.  My favorite is Chocolate Pudding, or anything that calls for a white or alfredo type sauce.  Here is the recipe from her book "I Can't Believe It's Food Storage"

MAGIC MIX

Ingredients:
2 1/3 C. Powdered Milk
1 C. All Purpose Flour (Yes, use All Purpose)
1 C. (2 sticks) Margarine (***HAS TO BE REAL MARGARINE, NOT SPREAD***) or Butter, at room temperature

Combine ingredients in a mixer or food processor until it resembles cornmeal.  Store in an air tight container in the refridgerator.   I have used THRIVE Butter Powder before.  The only difference I noticed was that I had to use a stick blender to get a good smooth mixture.  However, when using the Butter Powder you don't have to refridgerate it.

Here is her book.  I refer to it several times a week!  It's a must have for newbies in food storage.

On to the Lasagna recipe!

1lb ground turkey or ground beef
1/4lb fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 T minced garlic
1 can diced tomatoes
1T italian seasonings
1 cup grated parmeasen cheese
salt and pepper to taste
9 cooked lasagna noodles
2 C shredded mozzarella cheese
1 package (10oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 1/3 C Magic Mix
2 cups water

For meat sauce, brown ground turkey in skillet over medium heat.  (If using ground beef, drain.) Add mushrooms, onions and minced garlic. Cook until onion is tender.  Add can of diced tomatoes, half a can of water, italian seasoning and salt and pepper to taste.  Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently.

For cheese sauce, bring 2 cups of water to boil.  Wisk in Magic Mix powder a little at a time, whisking until fully blended.  Add the parmesean cheese and simmer about 5 minutes or until thickened.  Stir frequently.

Spray 12x8 inch baking dish with non-stick spray, such as Pam.   Place 3 lasagna noodles in dish.  Spoon meat mixture over noodles.  Spoon 1/2 of the cheese sauce on top of the meat mixture.  Place 3 more noodles on top.  Layer spinach on top of noodles and top with remaining cheese sauce.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese on top of cheese sauce.  Place remaining 3 noodles on top.  Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese on top.

Bake uncovered in 350 degree oven 40 minutes or until top is golden and edges are bubbly.  Let stand at least 10 minutes before serving.  YUM!!

Let me know if you try it.  You can get her book on my website at http://www.thrivingtexasmama.com.

Remember that if you would like to purchase items from ShelfReliance.com that you are guaranteed the lowest price when you have a customer id set up by a consultant.  You receive discounts from 10 to 30% off of everything on their site.  Message me or leave a comment if you would like to be added!

It's easy to keep up with the great sales and recipes! Just subscribe to stay up to date!

Fruit is on Sale!

Apples, Bananas, Strawberries...oh my! Raspberries, Peaches and Pineapple too?  So many fruits...which to choose?  At THRIVE Foods we have an excellent line of freeze dried and dehydrated fruits!  However, we know that it can be costly to buy the #10 cans or only to find out that your family doesn't like it!  Well for the month of March the Pantry Cans and Pouches are on sale for about 20% off!*  Like their bigger siblings, the Pouches have a long shelf life of an average of 1 year after it is opened!  Bet you can't say that for the produce you get from the market!  Get more for your money with THRIVE Fruits.

Freeze Dried Banana Slices - Pantry Can $11.39 - Pouch $6.99

Freeze Dried Blackberries - Pantry Can $10.69 - Pouch $6.09

Freeze Dried Blueberries - Pantry can $11.89 - Pouch $6.39

 

Freeze Dried Mangoes - Pantry Can $9.89 - Pouch $5.19

Freeze Dried Peaches - Pantry Can $10.99 - Pouch $6.39

Freeze Dried Pineapples - Pantry Can $13.99 - Pouch $6.79

Freeze Dried Raspberries - Pantry Can $11.99 - Pouch $7.89

Dehydrated Pineapple Chunks - Pantry Can $7.79

Freeze Dried Strawberries - Pantry Can $10.29 - Pouch $4.19

Also Available

Dehydrated Apple Chips - Pantry Can $6.19

Dehydrated Apple Slices - Pantry Can $5.49

Freeze Dried Apricots - Pantry Can $12.79 - Pouch $7.49

Dehydrated Banana Chips - Pantry Can  $4.99 - Pouch $3.49

Freeze Dried Pears - Pantry Can $10.29

*You are guaranteed the lowest prices through a consultant!  Email me or post a comment and if you would like to be registered to receive these low prices!