Home gardening offers ways to trim grocery costs [Survival Today, an on going thread]

Dallas News.com ^ | March 14th, 2008 | DEAN FOSDICK

[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."

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

My husband and I heard (but neither of us can remember, I probably read it to him off the Internet - LOL) that a lot of the cheese on the market is equivalent to plastic food. Not necessarily MADE with plastic, I’m not saying that, but it’s not aged properly. The person talking said that cheese should be aged at least a year and at best, several years. So the cheddar cheese we get at the grocery store is really not the sustaining food that cheese was years ago. On this kidney diet you can’t have much cheese anyway - it has too much phosphorus.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

I’m glad you clarified that. I didn’t read your first post right. My mom has said to use oil of oregano for years, but did I listen? No... Mom is usually right.

[editor-surveyor]

"My husband and I heard that a lot of the cheese on the market is equivalent to plastic food."

Lactose conversion is the issue. Six months is ok for some cheeses, and others take up to a year, but the stuff in the stores was aged by the "Peterbilt" method: In transit from the dairy to the store.

[Beloved Levinite]

Thanks for the ping, N A Granny!

Beloved Leninite

[Beloved Levinite]

"Thanks for the ping, N A Granny! Beloved Leninite"

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, Jeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzz, as Archie Bunker used to say!!! I spelled my own name wrong! "Leninite!" NOT! LOL!

Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Yes the Internet is nothing short of amazing.

Here’s some more information from Pinching Your Pennies:

Resources for Grains, Beans and Dried Foods
http://www.waltonfeed.com
http://www.honeyvillegrain.com
http://www.beprepared.com
http://www.mountainhouse.com
http://www.areyouprepared.com
http://www.lehirollermill.com
http://www.providentliving.org
http://www.gossner.com - shelf stable milks

____________
Honeyville Grain “ Brick and Mortar” locations-

Honeyville Grain Village Store -in Brigham City, UTAH
1080 North Main Suite 101
Phone: (435) 494-4193
FAX: (435) 734-9482
Hours of Operation: Monday thru Friday: 8:00AM - 5:00PM
customers can purchase staple food items like wheat, barley, and oats along with canned food storage products for family preparedness. The store also features great gourmet treats like “Bear Lake” Raspberry Ice Cream, delicious jams and jellies, and even premium syrups.

Honeyville Grain Mill location
3750 WEST 7200 NORTH HONEYVILLE, UTAH 84314 - - - Phone # 1-435-279-8197
Located between Brigham City and Tremonton on the Interstate 15-Honeyville Exit. map

635 NORTH BILLY MITCHELL ROAD SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84116 - - - Phone # 1-801-972-2168 map
____________
Associated Food stores in Utah have caselot sales during the Spring and Fall.
They also offer bulk wheat, rice, oats and other items for foodstorage.
Their ads show plastic storage containers that you can dump the bags of grain into.
I noticed that some of those products are Honeyville Grain brand.
____________
www.bluechipgroup.net is a good company for food storage and bulk products. They sell all sorts of 3, 6 & 1 year supply packages and they even offer gluten free options! They are located in Salt Lake City, UT

____________

Helpful Info:
http://foodfitguide.campbellwellness.com/Grains/FruitVegGuide.aspx

Guide to find information about different grains.

Walton Feed, Inc.
http://www.waltonfeed.com/
135 North 10th
Montpelier, ID 83254
208-847-0465 or
Fax: 208-847-0467

Preparedness Resources Inc
12411 S 265 W
Draper, UT 84020
(801) 619-7002

Perma Pak Food Storage
3720 River Valley Dr
Ogden, UT 84405-1522
(801) 621-2616

Honeyville Food Products
http://honeyvillegrain.com/
11600 Dayton Drive
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Phone: (909) 980-9500
FAX: (909) 980-6503

Kitchen Kneads (small appliances and food products)
http://www.kitchenkneads.com/
3030 Grant St.
Ogden, Utah 84401
1-888-881-9957
1-801-399-3221

Lehi Roller Mills
www.lehirollermill.com
833 E Main St
Lehi, UT 84043
(801) 768-4401

Gregory’s Wheat Shop
http://www.livingnaturally.com/retailer/store_templates/shell_id_1.asp?storeID=3193AA124C1545EF8B1D1A2085E5B06C
920 South 500 West
Bountiful, UT 84010
(801) 295-3405
(801) 295-4037 (fax)

Blendtec Inc.
http://www.blendtec.com
1206 S 1680 W
Orem, UT 84058-4938
(800)253-6383
(801)222-0888
(801)805-8585 fax

Grandma’s Country Store
http://www.grandmascountry.com/
386 West 9400 South
Sandy Utah 84070
800-216-6466
801-748-0808
801-748-081 fax

Bosch Kitchen Center
http://www.spoilthecook.com/
176 W. Center Street
Orem, UT 84057
801-224-1616
800-584-9943

Huish Detergent
http://www.huish.com/storebrands.html
3540 West 1987 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84104
(801) 975-3100

Emergency Essentials Inc.
Salt Lake Outlet
http://beprepared.com
110 W 3300 S
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
1-800-999-1863
(801) 994-1055

Smith and Edwards
http://www.smithandedwards.com/index.asp
3936 N. HWY 126
Ogden, UT 84404
801-731-1120
801-731-2113 fax

Gygi’s Culinary Solutions
http://www.Gygi.com
3500 South 300 West
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
(801) 268-3316
(801) 268-2425
Email: sales@gygi.com

Blue Chip Group
http://www.bluechipgroup.net
432 W 3440 S
Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
(801) 263-6667
(800) 878-0099
bcg@bluechipgroup.net email

I checked Google and updated all the street, telephone and web addresses. These folks in Utah are really serious about being prepared! Wow!

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Have you guys heard of this?

http://thesurvivalpodcast.com/forum/index.php

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Cool gift, only $30:

Solar-Powered, Self-Powered AM/FM/Weatherband Portable Radio with Flashlight and Cell Phone Charger

The Microlink brings together some of the most popular features of our Voicelink, in a more compact design. This ultra-portable device is ideal to have on hand when you’re roughing it. It also makes a great addition to any emergency-preparedness kit. No plugs or wires are required. Instead, turn the hand crank to power the Microlink, or capture the sun’s energy and run it on solar power. You’ll always know what’s going on, thanks to the AM, FM, and weather bands. You can also tune in to the FCC and EAS public alert systems. Add the flashlight, the cell phone charger and you’ve got one versatile little device. You'll be prepared for any emergency, and there's an added benefit - each radio includes American Red Cross disaster preparedness tips!

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Teacup Lights

Antique teacups that have lost their saucers still make sweet gifts when fitted with candles.

Tools and Materials
Nested pans
Partially burned candles
Candy or candle thermometer
Tongs
New wicking
Teacups
Wick sustainers
Wooden skewers

Teacup Lights How-To
1. In a small pan set over a larger pan of simmering water, melt down old candles; clip the thermometer to the upper pot, and keep temperature at about 185 degrees. Remove old wicks with tongs.

2. Cut a piece of wicking to the cup's height plus 2 inches. Clamp one end to a wick sustainer; tie the other end around a skewer. Dip wicking and sustainer into melted wax to coat them. Remove and stick sustainer to cup's bottom.

3. Pour in the wax, stopping 1/2 inch below the cup's rim. Allow wax to set, about 1 hour. The candle will harden with a well in the center. To even it out, use another skewer to prick a circle of holes about 1/16 inch deep around the wick. Pour in melted wax until surface is 1/4 inch below rim. Cut wick.

From:

Table Decorations: Cinnamon Candle

Look for 8-and 16-inch cinnamon sticks at floral-supply stores.

Tools and Materials
Pillar candle, at least 3-inches in diameter
Cinnamon sticks
Floral shears
Hot-glue gun
Dish or coaster

Cinnamon Candle How-To
1. Measure candle height; cut cinnamon sticks to size with floral shears. You'll need about 20 lengths per candle.

2. Run hot glue along cinnamon stick; affix it vertically to side of candle. (Use low-temperature setting to minimize melting.)

3. When first stick is dry, glue next stick snugly against it; repeat to cover candle.

4. Place finished candle on a dish or coaster.

Return to Table Decorations.

Homemade Bath Salts

Turn a plain old soak into a real retreat with bath salts you make yourself. Start with about 4 cups of sea salt or kosher salt. Mix in several drops of an aromatic bath oil (available at bath and beauty stores) and, if you wish, dried fragrant plants, such as lavender or eucalyptus. Pour into a jar for yourself or to give as a gift. Use a few spoonfuls of salts per bath; to keep herbs from floating, spoon the mixture into a spice sachet (available at gourmet grocery stores).

Candy-Shop Gifts

The sweets are nestled all snug in their jars; soon they'll be given to friends near and far. Before delivering these playful presents, you can set them out for all to see in a candy-counter-style display. Collect peanut-butter, jelly, and olive jars -- or buy inexpensive containers at a discount store -- and fill them with treats for loved ones. Soon visions of sugar will dance in their heads.

Select peppermint sticks, jelly beans, chocolate straws, jawbreakers, foil-wrapped chocolates, and other colorful candy. Layer them in a jar or arrange them to form patterns. Coat metal lids with red spray paint (working in a ventilated area); cover plastic tops with decorative paper. Finish packages with ribbon and gift tags.

 

[JDoutrider]

Still here Granny!

Yes, TenthAmendmentChampion is a Great addition to this thread... Glad she is here and sharing her wisdom as well!

[NellieMae]

DITTO!!! We Love ya Granny.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Thanks for the cordial welcome. I don't have a lot of knowledge that would help in an emergency, but I have been lucky finding some interesting stuff on the Internet.

We are doing some heavy duty data mining here!

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

The Major Flaw in China's Melamine Crackdown (FR Post)

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

From:

Natural Beauties

Spa-inspired presents, including these handmade lip balms, can be created from basic kitchen ingredients and craft materials.

Getting Started: Essential Oils
To scent homemade bath and beauty items, you'll need essential oils, available at health-food shops and online. 

There are dozens of scents on the market, but we've listed some of our favorites. You might also come across fragrance oils. 

Unlike essential oils, which are extracts of plants and fruits, fragrance oils may be made with synthetic compounds. That said, either type of oil is suitable for these projects. Use scents alone or in combinations: If mixing scents, add the oil with the less-intense scent first, followed by the stronger kind, one drop at a time.

Eucalyptus
Strong intensity. A powerful, clear aroma that pairs nicely with lemon. Use sparingly.

Geranium
Strong intensity. A sweet floral scent that mixes well with peppermint or lemon.

Grapefruit, Lemon, or Tangerine
Medium intensity. Citrus oils can be used individually, but because they're so lively and adaptable, they lend themselves naturally to combinations.

Peppermint
Strong intensity. Refreshing on its own but also a fine partner for many other oils. A little goes a long way.

Rosemary
Medium to strong intensity. Herbal, woodsy aroma. Especially good with lemon.

Star Anise
Medium intensity. Warm, almost wintry fragrance. Excellent with tangerine.

Carrier Oils
Two projects, the lip balm and the body scrub, call for a carrier oil. Chances are, you already have one of these oils in your kitchen. Their job is not to add scent but to create a smooth texture and also help distribute the essential oil.

Grapeseed Oil
Lightweight, easily absorbed, and virtually odorless.

Olive Oil
A natural moisturizer. Use the lightest grades so that the scent wont mask that of the essential oil.

Sunflower Oil
Odorless and inexpensive.

Vitamin E Oil
Has a soft, light body. It can be expensive, so use it in small quantities in combination with another carrier oil.

Projects

From:

Bath Fizzies

Ice-cube trays serve as molds, giving the fizzies their shape. Using a flexible silicone model lets you slide the cubes out smoothly without breaking them.

Show off the colors of the bath fizzies in glass jars with screw tops, the kind used for storing sugar and flour. Pack each type of fizzy in a separate jar so the scents won't meld. Write the name of the scent on a vellum tag (choose a shade that matches the fizzies), and punch a hole in the top. Thread the tag with ribbon, and tie it around the jar. 

Citric acid, a common food additive, is available at wine-making-supply stores, some spice shops, and online. When citric acid is combined with baking soda and placed in water, a chemical reaction creates bubbles. 

Makes 1 dozen (use 2 per bath)

Tools and Materials
1/2 cup citric acid
1 cup baking soda 
3/4 cup cornstarch 
1/4 cup organic cane sugar 
About 6 drops food coloring 
10 to 15 drops essential oil(s)
Special equipment: 2-ounce travel-size spray bottle, plastic pipette, silicone ice-cube tray, storage jars

Directions
1. Stir together citric acid, baking soda, and cornstarch in a glass measuring cup. 

2. Pass mixture through a fine sieve or a flour sifter into a mixing bowl. Stir in sugar. 

3. Fill spray bottle with water, and add food coloring. Spritz mixture lightly (it should become damp but not fizzy) until you can pack mixture with your hands. 

4. Using pipette, add oil, 1 drop at a time, until strength of scent is to your liking. Using a metal spoon or your hands, mix ingredients until color is even throughout (mixture will begin to dry out; when this happens, spritz until packable again). 

5. Spoon into ice-cube tray, pressing firmly. Let dry at room temperature overnight. Pop out of tray gently. Transfer to jars.

First Published: December 2008

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

From:

Body Scrub

You need only four ingredients to make these moisturizing exfoliants. The base can be made from either Epsom salts or sugar, depending on whether you want a large or fine grain. Color the scrubs with shades that are in keeping with some of the scents you use -- pink with grapefruit, for example, or green with eucalyptus. Makes about 2 1/3 cups.

Tools and Materials
2 cups Epsom salts or organic cane sugar
1 cup carrier oil
8 drops essential oil(s)
1 drop food coloring
Special equipment: plastic pipette, canning jars

Directions
1. Stir together Epsom salts or sugar and carrier oil in a bowl, mixing well. 

2. Using pipette, add essential oil, 1 drop at a time. Add food coloring, and stir until color is even throughout. Spoon into canning jars.

3. Download clip-art labels, enlarging or reducing to fit top of canning jar if necessary. Print onto ink-jet bumper-sticker paper (which is designed to withstand water). Cut out the labels, and affix to clean jars.

Gift-Packaging Idea
With their flip-top lids and gaskets for sealing, canning jars have a clean look and also keep any oil in the scrub from leaking. Decorate the jars with labels, and tie a pretty spoon or a bath sponge to the lid with waxed twine. 

Clip-Art Labels
Blank Body Scrub Labels 1
Blank Body Scrub Labels 2
Salt Scrub Labels 1
Salt Scrub Labels 2
Sugar Scrub Labels 1
Sugar Scrub Labels 2

Label How-To
Download clip-art labels above, enlarging or reducing to fit top of canning jar if necessary. Print onto ink-jet-bumper-sticker paper (which is designed to withstand water). Cut out the labels, and affix to clean jars.

Sources
Mold jars (#740), $14.60 for 6 jars with glass lids, 6 rings, and 12 clamps, by Weck, from weckcanning.com.
4 1/4"-by-11" matte ink-jet bumper stickers (#922811), $12.99, from Office Depot, officedepot.com.

Get More Bath and Body Treatments and Learn About Essential Oils

First Published: December 2008

[nw_arizona_granny]

Why not make a sweet cranberry bread that she can have for
breakfast the morning after so she doesn’t have to cook in the am
after cooking so long the day before. You could possibly make the
bread below and send it over with a cream cheese spread. All she
would have to add is a cup of hot coffee!! :)
Angel
Ps. I have also included one review which suggested suggestions. I
have put (see review below).

Cranberry Pecan Bread - Emeril Lagasse
yield 1 loaf

Ingredients
1/2 cup orange flavored liqueur (see review)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves, wrapped in cheese cloth
1 cinnamon stick, halved
1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries (or defrosted if frozen) (see review)
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 large eggs
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda (see review for adding along baking powder as
well as soda)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 cup chopped, toasted pecans (see review below)
1 teaspoon orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions
In a saucepan, combine the orange liqueur, sugar, water, cloves, and
cinnamon stick and bring to a boil. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Add
the cranberries. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the
berries burst, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the
berries cool in the liquid. Remove the cinnamon stick and cloves and
discard.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9 1/4 by 5 1/4 by
2 1/2-inch loaf pan.

In a mixer bowl, using the mixer on high speed (or using a hand
mixer), cream the sugar and butter. Add the eggs and beat until light
and fluffy. Into a bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda,
cinnamon, and salt. In a small bowl, combine the buttermilk and
orange juice. Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk
mixture to the creamed butter, beating after the addition of each.
Fold in the reserved cranberry mixture, pecans, orange zest and
vanilla. Pour into the prepared loaf pan. Bake until a tester comes
out clean, 55 to 60 minutes.

Turn out onto a wire rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.
(Can be made ahead. Wrap tightly and store at room temperature 1 day
or freeze for up to 2 weeks.)

Review

I read all the reviews before I baked this bread. I followed some of
Rose Anns advice which definately remedied the problems people seem
to be experiencing. I put the cloves in cheesecloth so I didn’t have
to fish them out. Increased to 2 cups of cranberries, used 1/4 cup
Orange Amaretto, and I added 1 1/2 t. Baking Powder and I did NOT
toast the pecans. I also sprinkled pecans on the tops before baking.
It baked perfectly at 1 hour and 20 minutes.Also, the cranberries did
cook about 20 minutes and I added a handful of whole cranberries and
set aside to colo. It is an scrumptious bread, cuts beautifully and
tastes great! My family LOVED IT for breakfast, snack and dessert! I
baked it in a large stone loaf pan and it was gorgeous when sliced. I
will definately make several mini loaves for Christmas gifts this
year! Thanks Emeril!!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bread-machine/

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Correct address on that last link:

Get More Bath and Body Treatments and Learn About Essential Oils

The above crafts came from here:

Martha Stewart Natural Beauties Gifts

[nw_arizona_granny]

that a lot of the cheese on the market is equivalent to plastic food. Not necessarily MADE with plastic, I’m not saying that, but it’s not aged properly.<<<

For years, they said Velveeta was made of wood shavings, LOL, I think cellulose or something like that is an ingredient.

For myself, I buy cheese in 5# blocks and want real cheese, not the velveeta stuff.

But the last couple times, Safeway had only 2# blocks and it is softer than Cheddar should be and not as tasty.

For the last 50 years, I had thought that never would I get a bad milk product from Safeway, now I don’t know.

I use 5 to 10# a month for myself, so am in trouble if the supply is not going to be right.

Walmart’s cheese makes me nervous, I am at a point that Walmart scares me and walmart is what I can afford to buy.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Lactose conversion is the issue. Six months is ok for some cheeses, and others take up to a year, but the stuff in the stores was aged by the “Peterbilt” method: In transit from the dairy to the store.<<<

Laughing as I say welcome to the thread and ‘Peterbilt’ about describes it.

I made a hard cheese and it was not aged, with goat milk and used vinegar to set it with, not the rennet.

I am glad you came to read the thread and do join in, anytime.

[nw_arizona_granny]

“Thanks for the ping, N A Granny! Beloved Leninite”

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, Jeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzz, as Archie Bunker used to say!!! I spelled my own name wrong! “Leninite!” NOT! LOL!<<<

Good, that you returned, Laughing and asking what your name means?

Still chuckling, even after a google, I see you know about money? and are a Mark Levin fan.

http://www.google.com/search?q=Beloved+Levinite&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a