Posted on 03/23/2008 11:36:40 PM PDT by nw_arizona_granny
Americans finding soaring food prices hard to stomach can battle back by growing their own food. [Click image for a larger version] Dean Fosdick Dean Fosdick
Home vegetable gardens appear to be booming as a result of the twin movements to eat local and pinch pennies.
At the Southeastern Flower Show in Atlanta this winter, D. Landreth Seed Co. of New Freedom, Pa., sold three to four times more seed packets than last year, says Barb Melera, president. "This is the first time I've ever heard people say, 'I can grow this more cheaply than I can buy it in the supermarket.' That's a 180-degree turn from the norm."
Roger Doiron, a gardener and fresh-food advocate from Scarborough, Maine, said he turned $85 worth of seeds into more than six months of vegetables for his family of five.
A year later, he says, the family still had "several quarts of tomato sauce, bags of mixed vegetables and ice-cube trays of pesto in the freezer; 20 heads of garlic, a five-gallon crock of sauerkraut, more homegrown hot-pepper sauce than one family could comfortably eat in a year and three sorts of squash, which we make into soups, stews and bread."
[snipped]
She compares the current period of market uncertainty with that of the early- to mid-20th century when the concept of victory gardens became popular.
"A lot of companies during the world wars and the Great Depression era encouraged vegetable gardening as a way of addressing layoffs, reduced wages and such," she says. "Some companies, like U.S. Steel, made gardens available at the workplace. Railroads provided easements they'd rent to employees and others for gardening."
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
My whole philosophy of food (yes, I am a foodie) is that it should be cheap, nourishing, beautiful, and delicious. Taste is an individual matter, but for people raised without variety, on fast food, or prepared frozen foods and mixes, there is a whole new world of eating, out there.
In hard times, for survival, we don’t just have to open cans, we can look around us and find some wonderful wonderful meals. Southern Fried Squirrel is very cheap; probably only rural folks know much about eating small game, though.
If you know how to do these things ahead of time, and have tried and true recipes, then hard times are a bit easier. Even slightly hard times are more beautiful...
Learning to identify and use edible field greens is a very useful skill.
For a bridal shower, I once froze fresh violets into ice cubes in trays, used them in pink lemonade (very pretty!) Violet flowers are edible, as are roses, and the petals make beautiful ice cubes.
http://www.nationalterroralert.com/gasmasks/
[YOU NEED TO VISIT THE LINK AND LOOK AT THE PHOTOS]
Gas Mask - Gas Masks
Gas mask purchases are a personal decision each family must make. Educate yourself about gas masks to avoid a mistake that could cost you your life. Consider the following information before purchasing and purchase only from a recognized dealer or manufacturer. A gas mask would only protect you if you were wearing it at the exact moment a bioterrorist attack occurred. Unfortunately, a release of a biological agent is most likely to be done “covertly,” that is, without anyone knowing it. That means you would not know ahead of time to put on your gas mask.
To wear a gas mask continuously or “just in case” a bioterrorist attack occurs, is impractical, if not impossible. To work effectively, masks must be specially fitted to the wearer, and wearers must be trained in their use.
This is usually done for the military and for workers in industries and laboratories who face routine exposure to chemicals and germs on the job. Gas masks purchased at an Army surplus store or off the internet carry no guarantees that they will work. In fact, one national chain of surplus stores provides the following statement: “(X) has been selling gas masks as a novelty item since 1948. We have never been able to warrant their effectiveness and we cannot do so at this time…
We do not know what each type of gas mask we sell might or might not be effective against…We do not know the age of each gas mask…” In brief, no guarantees whatsoever are provided. More serious is the fact that the masks can be dangerous. There are reports of accidental suffocation when people have worn masks incorrectly, as happened to some Israeli civilians during the Persian Gulf War. Military personal goes through extensive training in the use of gas masks. If you purchase masks, be sure to get properly trained in their use. Become familiar with putting the mask on and using it correctly. If you are forced to use the gas mask in an attack, that would not be the best time to be donning it, for the first time. And again, KNOW what you are purchasing and understand that a gas mask that will actually work in an attack, will cost you upwards of $125.00
Let The Buyer Beware Information provided by Approved Gas Masks.com The truth about surplus gas masks: Many models of surplus masks & filters are available in nearly unlimited quantities at low prices. In most cases, these prices are low because the mask is either obsolete, recalled or replaced due to design flaws or defective components. Before buying a surplus mask, do your homework, take time to review recalled gas mask models. Here are a few of the most widely advertised surplus masks that should be avoided:
Russian Gas Mask Unless you are assembling your Halloween
costume, avoid this ineffective mask. Although the $19 price tag is enticing,
this mask is 30+ years old & does NOT provide NBC protection.
EVAC-U-8 Hood
Advertised by some unscrupulous vendors for protection
against NBC agents, this mask is actually intended for smoke/fire protection.
Over 27,4000 have been recalled.
Canadian M69
C-3 The entire Canadian military has removed the C3 from
service (replaced by a completely different model, designated as the C4)
The C3 60mm filter port does not accept NATO threaded filters without
plastic adapter.
If you own or intend to purchase one of these masks, YOU WILL have NO protection against ANY form of attack. They offer NO protection against: NBC -Nuclear, Biological, or Chemical agents. Many offer NO protection against even tear gas! Also old,(even sealed) filters may become toxic
GAS MASK: Russian/German M-10-M Protective Mask STATUS: INEFFECTIVE 100% obsolete DETAILS: Very old model. This type of protective mask should NEVER be used for protecting against any NBC warfare agents. USAGE: Designed ONLY for protection against tear-gas. (These will most likely not provide this protection as they are ALL more than 20 years expired)
GAS MASK: Russian M41 Aardvark Protective Mask STATUS: INEFFECTIVE 100% obsolete DETAILS: Complete waste of money. These Russian masks are a triumph in the world of completely useless gas masks, possibly the worst mask still being sold by unscrupulous surplus stores & internet vendors. USAGE: Russian / Outdated (over 20-30 years old) could be used as a Halloween costume or conversation piece but it will provide 0% protection.
GAS MASK: Russian SMS Snorkel Protective Mask STATUS: INEFFECTIVE 100% obsolete DETAILS: Complete waste of money. These Russian masks are another triumph in the world of completely useless gas masks, possibly the worst mask still being sold by unscrupulous surplus stores & Internet vendors. USAGE: Russian/ Outdated (over 20-30 years old) could be used as a Halloween costume or conversation piece but it will provide 0% protection.
GAS MASK: M9 or M9A1 Protective Masks STATUS: OBSOLETE/ineffective (made in the 50Â’s) Details: Uses a 60 mm threaded filter which is very hard to find with a modern & effective filter. USAGE: Tear Gas, Not used since 1960Â’s, these will provide NO protection, as they are 40+ years
GAS MASK FILTER: WEST GERMAN (various model #Â’s) STATUS: EXPIRED, HEPA ONLY. DETAILS: This filter is rated at 99.9% HEPA filtration and prior to expiration would be effective against P100 (small particles) agents. Examples: Tear Gas, Unmodified Simple Anthrax & other other non-micronized biological agents. Ineffective against ALL chemical warfare agents. USAGE: German mfg. for riot & tear gas protection. Manufactured prior to 1980, all lots are EXPIRED.
GAS MASK FILTER: AMERICAN M-9 (circa 1940) 60 mm threaded filter STATUS: 100% EXPIRED DETAILS: Common American issue. (Most from the 50Â’s) USAGE: US issue during prior to 1950. Use of this filter is highly discouraged, it provides 0% protection and may be toxic on itÂ’s own
GAS MASK FILTER: AMERICAN C2 (check exp. date) & C2A1 STATUS: EXPIRED -If more than 10 years old ** (old filters are known to have Chromium Toxicity ** and are considered highly dangerous) DETAILS: To find out if your filter is expired, you must find the printed date of manufacture. Look for the serial number on the can: For Example: RFT 920000CF24054 (sample serial #) (first 2 digits are the year of manufacture) In this example the mfg date: RFT [92] is 1992
These are 100% military surplus filters. The military discontinued use of the C2 in favor of the new/better C2A1 filters.
But Caution: C2A1 filters provide no protection against ammonia based agents. USAGE: Obsolete/US Military Surplus only. Recommended to upgrade to a MSA or M95 filter( the same threads/mask fitting). Both protect against all NBC agents and are 100% current issue / used in federal agencies, etc.
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If you know how to do these things ahead of time, and have tried and true recipes, then hard times are a bit easier. Even slightly hard times are more beautiful...
Learning to identify and use edible field greens is a very useful skill.<<<
You are thinking as I have for years.
Please add to this thread as you can, there is so much that the pioneers used, that we do not even know exists today.
Many do not know that the medicine that we use today, is chemicals memicking [sp?] plants that were used for centuries.
I have to stare my doctor down, as even with the oxygen generator, and all his fancy medicine that costs well over half my total income each month, when I cannot breathe, I reach for the Essential Oils, Oregano, Lavender and Spearmint, to make it possible to get my breath.
Last time, I suggested he do research, it is out there and is being tested in some hospitals of note, Lavender to calm people before surgery.
You live in the east, what you have there, I do not have here.
A squirrel here would not be a taste, I haven’t even seen a ground squirrel in years and they are not as big as a gopher here.
I am only about 25 miles from a large supply of Burros.
This area was an open range for cattle, until the nature lovers moved here from California and had them closed down, as the cows MIGHT step on burrows of the Mexican Mole, which my dictionary described as a “small round eared mouse”.
LOL, there I go stacking my soap boxes up high.
I was an ‘organic gardener’ before most of the hippies were born, dinner is dinner and I do not need their nonsense.
I and I am sure many others will benefit from knowing what you know, please post as you think of it.
Good Morning!!!
We live on hill (mtns) and have numerous perennial flowers on hill; chickens have been nibbling in these gardens all winter; couldn't figure out what they were eating until now ie bugs, grubs, insect eggs. That's great! I hope there are some plants left, but I see none - only bare ground; and our last frost is May 23 give or take a day. I've ordered more cone flowers, etc seeds and FORTUNATELY the neighbor says he plans to cage the hens when he plants HIS veggie garden.
This is the first year he has let his little hens run loose, and I have loved it. I am city gal and never knew that hens could be such a joy. For some reason I bonded with these gals. I love feeding them. I love watching them waddle up the hill to our home. And they love the game of running from our dogs.
Nevertheless, I plan to put one of my veggie garden in a fence and some in planters on tables and some under netting - I'm preparing in case neighbor doesn't cage the hens. We have many deer and have to spray on deer repellant. No one kills deer here, so they even come to front door. Regardless of these challenges, I love country life. There is soo much to learn. Thank you for this thread. Very helpful
32 Reasons to Be Frugal Besides Saving Money
* April 3, 2008
frugal beerBy Jennifer Derrick
I’m frequently asked why I choose to be frugal. Is it all about saving money? My answer is always, “No, it’s not all about saving money, although that’s a nice side effect.” Saving money tends to be the driving reason behind why many people turn to a frugal lifestyle (and it was for me, in the beginning). But after being frugal for a while, most people find that there are additional reasons to stick with this lifestyle, beyond the monetary savings. So what are some of the other reasons people pursue a frugal lifestyle? If you’re thinking about going frugal, here are some of the additional reasons to consider.
1. It simplifies your record keeping. When you’re not overspending and incurring tons of bills, it’s less paperwork to keep up with, less bills to pay, and less time you have to spend tracking your money.
2. It simplifies your cleaning. When you’re not drowning in clutter, it’s much easier and faster to clean your house. You’re not always trying to clean around and between things you don’t even use.
3. It makes you healthier. Chances are that if you’re on a frugal plan you’ll eat healthier and exercise more as you stop eating out and do more for yourself.
4. It’s better for the environment. When you’re frugal, you generate less waste and consume fewer resources. The planet thanks you.
5. Frugality inspires an attitude of gratitude and contentment. Frugal living makes you appreciate what you have and helps you to realize that you are blessed to have it, even if it’s not the newest luxury what-not. This makes for a far more content life, rather than a life spent straining and whining for the latest thing.
6. You gain a better perspective on what “enough” really is. Frugal living teaches you that “enough” is not the newest luxury car, but a functional car (or no car at all, if you live in an area where that’s possible). “Enough” is not the latest gadget, but a loving family and food on the table. It helps you realize that you probably have “enough” and that there are a lot of people who don’t.
7. It might make you more generous. Once you realize that you have enough, and you’re grateful for that, you might find yourself more willing to help those who aren’t as fortunate, whether it’s through donations of money or time.
8. The thrill of the deal. Beyond the money you save, there is a thrill you get when you know you’ve gotten the best price on something or, better yet, scored something for free.
9. It equips you to survive. Truly frugal people do a lot for themselves. What they don’t know how to do, they learn. They learn to fix a car, repair a leaky roof, cook, garden, or sew. Many of these skills are forgotten or deemed unnecessary in today’s world, but should there ever come a time when you have to do for yourself (job loss, another depression, disease outbreak, etc.), frugal people are better prepared than most.
10. You learn a lot. If you’re doing a lot for yourself, chances are you’re learning those skills as you go along. Learning new skills keeps the brain active and gives you a feeling of accomplishment.
11. You’re teaching the next generation. If you model a frugal lifestyle for your kids, chances are they’ll go on to live a more frugal lifestyle and teach their kids the same. You can’t beat giving your kids a head start on good money management skills at a young age.
12. You become more creative. Making do with what you have and reducing spending requires you to more creative to get the most out of what you have. Can you reupholster that chair instead of buying new? Does that glass jar have some other use? Can the kids make craft projects out of that box?
13. You become more social. As you detach from “things,” you may find yourself moving more toward people. You may reduce your cell phone or email use and talk more in person. You have more time to go out because you’re not tied to TV. You get more involved in your community.
14. It reduces stress. Your “to do” list is likely to get smaller when you get off the consumer treadmill. You won’t “have to” go out to eat. You won’t “have to” take the kids to fifteen different activities if they’re having fun in the backyard. “You won’t “have to” work extra hours to earn enough to cover your wants. You won’t “have to” go out and buy new clothes every season. With less to do, you’ll find your stress level decreasing.
15. It puts you in control. When you do more for yourself, it puts you in control of the result. If you fix your own car, you know the mechanic isn’t charging you for stuff he didn’t do or wasn’t necessary. If you cook at home or garden, you know what’s in your food. If you handle your own finances, you know exactly where your money is and how much it’s earning.
16. You’re more comfortable. I don’t know how many times I see people here go out in the foulest weather because they “have to” go to the movies or the mall for something to do. I’d much rather stay in my climate controlled home with my frugal entertainment than sit in a cold movie theater (that I had to drive in the rain to get to) listening to the jerk behind me yak on his phone.
17. You can be lazy — to an extent. Frugality frees up time that would otherwise be spent driving, working, or shopping. With that extra time you can take an afternoon nap on Sunday, stay home and read the paper, or just stare out the window and daydream.
18. You have more options, flexibility and even freedom. When you’re not servicing the consumer debt machine and constantly worrying about making it to the next paycheck, you have many more options in life. You can choose to work more hours or not, or even change jobs, as your desire allows. If you’d like to live somewhere else or work somewhere else, you have the freedom to look into it without feeling trapped by “having to” stay at your current job. You can choose to have an additional child/pet (or not) and base that decision on more than money. You can choose to retire early or work through old age, if you want to. Frugality opens up your choices.
19. It saves all kinds of time. You spend less time in traffic. Less time cleaning. Less time standing in line and waiting. Less time dealing with unhelpful sales people. Less time shopping and running errands. Less time on the phone straightening out a financial problem. Less time paying bills. Less time dealing with the daily crap that clutters so much of our lives.
20. It satisfies a moral or religious edict. If your faith or morals dictate that you do more with less, frugality is the only way to go.
21. You want to make a political statement. If you want to rebel against consumerism and make a political statement about the evils of spending, frugality is one way (and the most authentic) to do it.
22. You believe in social justice. Some people become frugal out of a sense of social justice. In other words, they realize that they are taking more than their share of resources and that doing so depletes the availability of resources for others. They also realize that many goods are made with questionable practices and that to forgo some goods might help better those circumstances. They become frugal in an attempt to balance the scales.
23. You’re an animal rights activist. Many frugal people are also vegetarians. Eating less or no meat is a frugal choice that some people make because they don’t care for the ways farm animals are treated. Many frugal people also refuse to wear fur or leather because of animal rights’ issues, but it also saves money.
24. You want to lose weight. Frugality entails eating less/healthier foods and exercising more (walking to work, doing your own yard work, etc.). All are great ways to lose weight.
25. It beats therapy. Stress, depression, feeling out of control, and anxiety are all hallmarks of the consumer-driven lifestyle. Frugality reduces stress, increases your feelings of contentment and gratitude, reduces anxiety associated with money concerns and puts you in control of your life. Yes, you could see a shrink or take a pill to accomplish the same things, but it’s healthier and cheaper to eliminate the lifestyle that’s causing the problems.
26. Frugality honors your culture/heritage. Maybe you come from frugal parents and grandparents and were raised to be frugal yourself. Maybe your race or ethnic group honors frugality and being a spendthrift isolates you from those core beliefs. Some people go frugal to honor those who have gone before.
27. It’s fun and challenging. It’s fun to find great deals, to learn new things, to find new ways to save, to do for yourself, and to meet others who share the same goals. The more you work at it, the more fun it becomes.
28. It gets you away from the media machine. If you’re worried about the effect that constant advertising has on your brain or your kids’ brains, frugality is one way to separate yourself from that. Less exposure to advertising teaches you that most “needs” are manufactured by Madison Avenue. You start to think for yourself again.
29. It teaches the art of compromise. Frugal people learn that you can’t always have everything you want, but you can have some of what you want. The daily compromise between buying store brand ketchup and name brand, or between buying a new bedspread and mending the old one, all so you can have more money for something else, teaches us how to compromise to get more of what we really want.
30. It puts you in touch with nature. Being frugal puts you back in touch with what “natural” really means. You’ll probably spend more time outside, buy or grow organic food and fabrics, and become less dependent on artificial “stuff.”
31. It improves your sex life. When you’re not strung out about money, you can have a more fulfilling life in the bedroom. When you’re not cramming your life with artificial entertainment, you have more time to play in the bedroom.
32. You want to sleep better. Rather than lying awake at night worrying about their money crisis, frugal people sleep better knowing that, whatever else goes wrong in the world, they’re able to care for themselves.
You can see that there are many reasons why people choose to be frugal, other than saving money. Saving money is a nice byproduct of these actions, but it’s not always the entire reason why someone chooses frugality. Next time you meet a frugal person, ask them why they choose that lifestyle. You might be surprised by the answer.
Image courtesy of consumatron
Good for you, I am glad you find the thread useful and hope you will add to it, with your interests and or questions.
Chickens are a delightful creature that God invented, they are so useful, eat bugs and lay eggs, that is a deluxe machine.
I did post several ‘keep the chicken out of the garden solutions’, none of which will work, if my guess is correct.
Chickens come in all kinds, we got suckered on a summer deal once, kept a guys chickens for him for the summer, he came back and said he would be back with the money we were owed and pick up the rest of them, but for now he would take a few.
When it was over, he had taken the hens, and left us with about a 100 old mean roosters and no money.
One of the roosters was so mean that I had to carry a stick to go and milk, as he was always loose, I can show you scars still, where he used his spurs on my legs.
One day, the teenage son of a neighbor was in the house with me and we heard Mr. Mean screaming, I looked out the window and he had gotten caught in a loose roll of hog wire.
I told John “fine, leave him there”.
“But, he will die in the heat”.
“Fine with me”
“Well if you don’t want him, I will take him home, you can’t just let him die”.
John took that big old mean rooster home with him, and the stupid bird thought he had gone to heaven, as if you went to John’s house, the rooster was perched on John’s shoulder and they were going about life.
We had a big black hen, that came running when she saw me, she wanted to be petted.
If I was outside and Bill walked up to me, the hen would get between us and attempt to keep us from touching or hugging.
Which of course made us sure to do so, Mrs. Hen would set on Bills shoes, and peck at him..........she was jealous of him.
Then there was the child’s single big white rooster, that we said “sure send him out, he can live with our chickens”....
Wrong, he was scared to death of chickens and lived in the patio with us.
He would not go near a hen, but would rape the cat’s white plastic feeding bowl several times a day.
We found him a home with a half dozen hens and I hear he was happy at last, as they did not have a rooster.
Laura Killman, at Wellton, was from a pioneer family and was in her 70’s when I met her, she lived on the old home place and would sell me all kinds of poultry, for breeding stock, as I saved the money for a few at a time.
Once I went out to buy more and found her in the barn, teaching a group of 4-H youths how to dress a sheep out.
She asked me “Would you go to the house, at the back door, on the kitchen counter is the knife that I need and bring it to me?”
Of course, I was glad to.
“And if that Banty hen is sitting in the planter bed, pick her up and take the kittens out from under her, before she smothers them, please.”
Right, sure Laura, thinking, yep, you are having me on, gonna laugh at the greenhorn.
Sure enough, at the back door, there was a sitting hen, in the flower bed, so I picked her up and she had a half dozen tiny kittens under her.........sitting on them, as if they were chicks.
Animals and country life, will always be more interesting to me, than the tv. LOL, my opinion of course........LOL
http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/03/03/101217_wonderful-uses-for-lemons.html
Wonderful Uses For Lemons
lemonMy wife loves the smell of lemons so she incorporates them whenever possible to make our house smell lemony. An added benefit is that using lemons instead of store bought house cleaners and fresheners is a lot less expensive and better for the environment. Here are some of many ways she uses lemons around our house as a cleaner:
Soap Scum: If you apply lemon juice directly to soap scum and hard water deposits, the lemon juice will help dissolve them. You may have to let the lemon juice sit on the area for a few minutes.
Brass & Copper: If you use a dab of lemon juice on a rag, you can clean and shine brass and copper.
Cleaning Paste: If you need some cleaning paste, mix lemon juice with vinegar and then add some baking soda. This makes a good cleaning paste
Stain Remover: Take a lemon and cut it in half. Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda across the cut section. The half lemon can then be used to scrub dishes, clean surfaces and help remove stains.
Pots & Pans Take a lemon and cut it in half. Sprinkle small amount of salt across the cut section. The lemon half can then be used to clean and shine the copper bottoms of pots and pans.
Hardwood Cleaner: You can mix lemon juice with olive oil to make a polish for hardwood furniture in your house.
We also use lemons to freshen:
Garbage Disposal: If you use the lemon juice and have the lemon slices left over, don’t throw the peals away. You can place the peels through the garbage disposal. No only will they freshen the drain, they will also clean the garbage disposal blades (you can also do this with orange peals).
Vacuum: Before vacuuming, squeeze a few drops of lemon into your vacuum cleaner bag. The air flow will give your entire house a clean, lemon scent.
Lemon Cleaner Aroma: If you use vinegar as your main cleaner (four cups water and one cup white-wine vinegar), one problem is the vinegar small that it can leave. Simply take a few lemon peels and add them directly to the vinegar solution. Be sure to twist them a few times to get the a strong lemon smell. The peels will will help neutralize the harsh vinegar smell.
How To Reuse Items In Your Garden Rather Than Throwing Them Into The Trash
* May 4, 2007
frugal gardeningBy contrary1
Earth Day isn’t just a day in April to frugal gardeners. No matter what month it is, we’re always on the look out for ways to tread lightly in our little corner of the world.
Here is a short list of some of the items which many people throw away that I reuse in some way while I am gardening. By no means is this a complete listing, but it is a good starting point to get your creative juices flowing:
Plastic knives: I love these. I’ve always been a terribly lazy gardener and in the past I never marked the plants and seeds when I’ve stuck them in the ground. I have this problem no more. With my permanent marker and a handful of plastic knives, I’ve got plant markers for everything this season.
Old panty hose: I like cutting the legs off these and using them to tie up plants like tomatoes. These are ideal because they stretch a bit so the plants aren’t held rigidly to the trellis.
Clear plastic clam shell type containers: I use the clamshell packaging for muffins and such by poking a drainage hole in the bottom, filling with potting soil and planting seeds in these. Once done, close the top down and you have an instant mini greenhouse. If it gets too warm, simply open the lid. When the plants get large enough, you can transplant them to the garden, rinse out the makeshift greenhouse and store it away for next year.
Shower curtains: I use a couple of old shower curtains that have been around for years. They are extremely handy for transplanting mature plants. I hate to get garden soil on my lawn since that usually means small rocks meeting the lawn mower, so I spread the shower curtain out next to the plant that is going to be moved or get divided. All the dirt that gets dug up is piled onto the shower curtain. If I’m going to move the plant, or perform a bit of surgery on it, a second shower curtain is handy too. I’ll use it like a skid to move the plant from place to place, eliminating the need to pick it up at all. Then when I’m done with projects like this, I can pick up the edges and send the dirt directly where I want back into the garden. No dirt on the lawn and the project is finished without having to shovel all the dirt back again.
Old pop cans: I’ve used these for years in the bottoms of all of my planters and containers. If you fill the bottom third of a container with slightly bent / crushed pop cans, you can use less potting soil when planting. This will give you a lighter pot when finished and costs less per pot. The cans allow space at the bottom of the pot for drainage, so there is need to keep a supply of gravel for this purpose either.
Empty plastic pop bottles: These are wonderful to make a drip water system for hard to water plants. I have a couple areas with plants where the water runs right off if I use the hose or a sprinkler. By leaving the cap on the bottle, and cutting off the bottom, you can create a drip system. It’s your choice whether you want to put in the garden on watering day or just leave it behind the plant and out of sight.
I poke a couple holes in the shoulder of the bottle, then bury the top of the bottle along side the plant that needs watering. Fill the bottle and let the water slowly seep out at root level and the water run off problem is solved. Depending on the area in my garden, I’ve used both the green colored plastic and the clear ones. Chose whichever shows less in relation to the plant and the location.
Broken flower pots: If a pot still has one side that is good, these make cute additions to the garden. Bury the broken part and plant inside the “cave” that is created. These broken pots are a good way to highlight particular plants or to tuck in little bits of tiny ground cover.
Broken garden tools: You can stick the handle end in the ground, leaving the shovel or rake head visible. You can then train a vine up the handle or use the new “stake” to tie up a plant.
As you can see, there are a lot of ways to use various objects that would normally end up in the landfill as part of your garden. We all should make a conscious effort to celebrate Earth Day every month by reusing some of these familiar items in our garden. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle should all be familiar words to a gardener.
contrary1 is the manager of our sister site Frugal Gardening
Granny note:
Mary taught me to dig the hole deeper when planting trees and throw in the tin cans from food.
They will form mini water containers and the trees roots will fill them, as they go for the moisture and by the time the tree is cone, the can will have disappeared also, as it rusts.
So, it’s a pan biscuit?
Bookmark. Great thread!
The cooking knowledge at Free Republic is awesome.
Violets in ice, Rose Petals go in many dishes and the lowest of weeds for dinner.
It is amazing what we can learn, if we want to do so.
All four of you have knowledge, that should be shared with the world.
At least on this thread we can talk about eating the weeds and not be zotted, LOL or zigged either.
Go for it we need to learn.
So, it’s a pan biscuit?<<<
I am not sure what you mean, so if you will give me a better idea, then I can try to answer.
If I had to describe a tamale, it would be as a small casserole in a corn husk holder.
If you are lucky and get them from a good tamale maker, they are heavenly food, from a bad maker, they might be called wet cornmeal mush, with something else.
You are welcome here, join in, questions are good, it makes us all think, I am sure that you know many things that we do not, please share with us.
Thank you and do join us, there are many wonderful Freepers on this thread and room for more, we shall all learn as we go.
[Smiling with you]
Pan biscuit = recipe like you decribed, fry in hot oil, rolled in a ball.
I read some of this thread, and y’all are beyond me. I don’t know what you are talking about, most of the time. ;)
Pan biscuit = recipe like you decribed, fry in hot oil, rolled in a ball.<<<
Laughing and saying welcome to you.
I did not know that was a ‘pan biscuit’, I would have called it a
‘hush puppy’.
I would also have called it “very good”.
Your Pan biscuit, would be easier to make, maybe, quicker for sure.
What is this thread about?
Learning, one never knows when they will need the odd fact/knowledge that they learn along the way.
Survival, in hard times, emergencies, be it a nuclear blast or the loss of a job and hungry kids to feed.
How to garden, preserve food or snare a rabbit.
Life and surviving.
Some of us were born in the survival mode, others are meeting the gardens and animals for the first or second time.
Do join us, learning is fun, as my mind is racing with ideas of how to play with your ‘pan biscuits’, I had heard of them, but not read the recipe, or not as I recall.
Thanks for the idea, it would be good on the campfire and of course a good trail food for energy.
http://www.landolakes.com/mealIdeas/RecipeBox_BrowseResult.cfm?Category=Category&ID=79&Row=1
CHEDDAR PAN BISCUITS
Cheddar cheese and basil makes these home-baked pan biscuits a tasty supper accompaniment.
Preparation time: 30 min Baking time: 23 min
Yield: 1 dozen biscuits
1/3 cup LAND O LAKES® Butter
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
4 ounces (1 cup) LAND O LAKES® Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
Heat oven to 400°F. Melt butter in 8-inch square baking pan in oven (3 to 5 minutes).
Meanwhile, combine all remaining ingredients except milk in medium bowl. Stir in milk just until moistened.
Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; knead until smooth (1 minute). Pat or roll dough into 12x6-inch rectangle. Cut into 12 (1-inch) strips.
Dip each strip into melted butter in pan; fold each strip in half. Place folded strips in 2 rows in same pan. Bake for 23 to 28 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts (1 biscuit): Calories: 180, Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 25mg, Sodium: 285mg, Carbohydrates: 20g, Dietary Fiber: 1g, Protein: 6g
4695 © 1995 Land O’Lakes, Inc.
DROP CORNMEAL BISCUITS
Theses biscuits are an easy addition to complete any weeknight meal.
Preparation time: 10 min Baking time: 12 min
Yield: 1 dozen biscuits
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup cornmeal
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cold LAND O LAKES® Butter
1 cup buttermilk*
Heat oven to 450°F. Combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt in large bowl; cut in butter with pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add buttermilk; stir until mixture is just combined. (If batter is too thin, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons flour.)
Drop by 1/4 cupfuls, 1 inch apart, onto greased baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown.
*Substitute 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar plus enough milk to equal 1 cup. Let stand 5 minutes.
Recipe Tip
Tender biscuits result when the dough is not over mixed. Combine the wet and dry ingredients only until the mixture holds together to avoid a tough texture. To make softer, fluffier biscuits, place the dough closer together on the baking sheet. If you prefer crustier biscuits, place biscuits 2 inches apart on the baking sheet
Nutrition Facts (1 biscuit): Calories: 170, Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 300mg, Carbohydrates: 22g, Dietary Fiber: 1g, Protein: 3g
11434 © 2000 Land O’Lakes, Inc.
http://www.atmosenergycooks.com/recipes/detail.html?rid=178
Hush Puppies
There are several stories about how this tender ball of friend corn meal dough came by the name hush puppy - all revolving around feeding them to dogs with the admonition “hush puppy” to keep them quiet. However they got their name, they are usually eaten with fried fish or barbecue and are a southern staple. They came to national prominence when several fried fish food franchises like Captain D’s and Long John Silvers put them on the menu. They are best eaten quickly right after they come out of the frying pan and before they have a chance to get soggy.
* 1 cup white corn meal
* 1 tablespoon flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 tablespoon minced onion
* 1 egg
* 1/2 cup milk
* Oil for cooking
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the corn meal, flour, baking powder and salt.
2. Add the minced onions, egg and milk and stir to make a stiff batter.
3. Pour about an inch of oil into the fry pan.
4. Heat the oil until it is about 375°F. (Use a candy thermometer or drop a cube of white bread with no crust into the oil. If it turns golden brown in about 60 seconds, the temperature is right.)
5. Drop the batter by tablespoon into the hot oil.
6. Fry until golden brown, about three minutes.
7. Remove to drain on absorbent paper.
8. Serve at once.
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Peppery-Hush-Puppies-2
Peppery Hush Puppies
From Country
These spicy hush puppies make a wonderful side dish to fish. They taste best when served warm.
SERVINGS
12
CATEGORY
Appetizer
METHOD
Deep-Frying
PREP
15 min.
COOK
10 min.
TOTAL
25 min.
INGREDIENTS
* 2 cups cornmeal
* 1/2 cup pancake mix
* 2-1/2 teaspoons sugar
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 egg
* 1 cup buttermilk
* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped
* 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
* 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
* Oil for deep-fat frying
DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, pancake mix, sugar, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat the egg, buttermilk, oil, jalapenos, onion and hot pepper sauce. Stir into dry ingredients just until combined.
In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°. Drop batter by rounded tablespoonfuls into oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve warm. Yield: 4 dozen.
Printed from tasteofhome.com Apr 4, 2008
Copyright Reiman Media Group, Inc © 2008
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Rosemary-Cheese-Patties
Nutrition Facts
* One serving:
* (2 each)
* Calories:
* 157
* Fat:
* 12 g
* Saturated Fat:
* 6 g
* Cholesterol:
* 61 mg
* Sodium:
* 298 mg
* Carbohydrate:
* 6 g
* Fiber:
* 0 g
* Protein:
* 6 g
Contest Winning Recipe
Rosemary Cheese Patties
From Simple & Delicious
“We’re a family that loves snacks,” explains Judy Armstrong of Prairieville, Louisiana, “and I combined some of our favorite ingredients in this fast, easy and delicious recipe. Great for entertaining, it can be prepared ahead of time and browned just before guests arrive. It’s quickly doubled for a crowd and extra special with marinara sauce.”
SERVINGS
12
CATEGORY
Appetizer
METHOD
Other stovetop
PREP
15 min.
COOK
10 min.
TOTAL
25 min.
INGREDIENTS
* 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
* 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs, divided
* 2 eggs
* 1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
* 1-1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
* 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* Marinara sauce, warmed, optional
DIRECTIONS
In a small mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup bread crumbs, eggs, rosemary, garlic and cayenne. Place the remaining crumbs in a shallow bowl. Shape heaping tablespoonfuls of cheese mixture into 1-1/2-in. balls; flatten to 1/2-in. thickness. Coat with bread crumbs.
In a large skillet, brown patties in oil in batches over medium heat until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve warm with marinara sauce if desired. Yield: 12 servings.
Printed from tasteofhome.com Apr 4, 2008
Copyright Reiman Media Group, Inc © 2008
Readers comment:
* Re: Rosemary Cheese Patties
These were pretty good. I cut the recipe in half and used up some small amounts of asiago and romano with the parm. They didn’t seem very sturdy since a couple broke while flipping but maybe it just needed a bit more crumbs to stiffen it up more. Will definitly make again. Thanks
lildeb69
We lived in Illinois 30 years ago a little over an hour south of Chicago. My husband loved to hunt and there was lots of game on the farms outside of our one-horse town (Yorkville). We about lived on pheasant, rabbit, quail, deer & great lakes salmon.
Can't eat the wild rabbits here in N Fla where we live now. It doesn't get cold enough here to kill the tularemia (spelling?) that rabbits are prone to having. I sure miss them and the pheasants. Where we used to hunt is all high-dollar subdivisions now.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Corny-Jalapeno-Hush-Puppies/MoreRecipesLikeThis.aspx
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Best-Ever-Jalapeno-Poppers/Detail.aspx
Best Ever Jalapeno Poppers
Submitted by: HLSANDS
Rated: 5 out of 5 by 218 members Prep Time: 45 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes Ready In: 1 Hour
Yields: 32 servings
“This is a recipe I made by taking the best of three or four popper recipes and combining them to make something that tastes wonderful.”
INGREDIENTS:
12 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar
cheese
1 tablespoon bacon bits
12 ounces jalapeno peppers, seeded and
halved
1 cup milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup dry bread crumbs
2 quarts oil for frying
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese, Cheddar cheese and bacon bits. Spoon this mixture into the jalapeno pepper halves.
2. Put the milk and flour into two separate small bowls. Dip the stuffed jalapenos first into the milk then into the flour, making sure they are well coated with each. Allow the coated jalapenos to dry for about 10 minutes.
3. Dip the jalapenos in milk again and roll them through the breadcrumbs. Allow them to dry, then repeat to ensure the entire surface of the jalapeno is coated.
4. In a medium skillet, heat the oil to 365 degrees F ( 180 degrees C). Deep fry the coated jalapenos 2 to 3 minutes each, until golden brown. Remove and let drain on a paper towel.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2008 Allrecipes.com Printed from Allrecipes.com 4/4/2008
Reviewed on Dec. 30, 2003 by ADLEVINE
Wonderful recipe Heather. Thank You. I blanched my peppers in almost boiling water for 2 minutes. Then cooled them before filling. The peppers were just right, not too crunchy, not too soft. I did cook my bacon before adding it to the cheese mixture. Next time I will add more bacon. Also, after seeding the peppers they are not very spicy, so I think I will use Jalapeno cheese with the cream cheese for a little kick. I also sprinkled them with salt after they were fried. My husband wanted to eat the whole batch right then. I hope they freeze well, I want to use them when we go to an RV rally. Thanks a bunch for a great recipe.
17 users found this review helpful
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 30, 2003 by KRIS86
Awesome recipe! The triple dipping process is a little time consuming, but the outcome is great. They freeze really well. After fying them I allowed them to cool, then put them on a cookie sheet and put them in the freezer for a few hours. Once they were frozen I stored them in a freezer bag. I reheated them at 425 degrees for about 15 minutes. They came out great and reheating them softened the pepper.
16 users found this review helpful
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jun. 16, 2003 by Lynn
I fixed these for a New Year’s party last year and panicked becase I thought I lost the recipe! These are fantastic! These are great to make ahead and then freeze. Once they were hard, I popped them into a gallon freezer bag and we can take them out as we please without going through the hassel of preparing them. They cook great from frozen.
13 users found this review helpful
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