Weekly Roundup - Living On Nothing Edition [Survival Today - an On going Thread #3]

Frugal Dad .com ^ | July 23, 2009 | Frugal Dad

[nw_arizona_granny]

Weekly Roundup - Living On Nothing Edition Category: Roundups | Comments(15)

Did you hear about the guy that lives on nothing? No seriously, he lives on zero dollars a day. Meet Daniel Suelo, who lives in a cave outside Moab, Utah. Suelo has no mortgage, no car payment, no debt of any kind. He also has no home, no car, no television, and absolutely no “creature comforts.” But he does have a lot of creatures, as in the mice and bugs that scurry about the cave floor he’s called home for the last three years.

To us, Suelo probably sounds a little extreme. Actually, he probably sounds very extreme. After all, I suspect most of you reading this are doing so under the protection of some sort of man-made shelter, and with some amount of money on your person, and probably a few needs for money, too. And who doesn’t need money unless they have completely unplugged from the grid? Still, it’s an amusing story about a guy who rejects all forms of consumerism as we know it.

The Frugal Roundup

How to Brew Your Own Beer and Maybe Save Some Money. A fantastic introduction to home brewing, something I’ve never done myself, but always been interested in trying. (@Generation X Finance)

Contentment: A Great Financial Principle. If I had to name one required emotion for living a frugal lifestyle it would be contentment. Once you are content with your belongings and your lot in life you can ignore forces attempting to separate you from your money. (@Personal Finance by the Book)

Use Energy Star Appliances to Save On Utility Costs. I enjoyed this post because it included actual numbers, and actual total savings, from someone who upgraded to new, energy star appliances. (@The Digerati Life)

Over-Saving for Retirement? Is it possible to “over-save” for retirement? Yes, I think so. At some point I like the idea of putting some money aside in taxable investments outside of retirement funds, to be accessed prior to traditional retirement age. (@The Simple Dollar)

40 Things to Teach My Kids Before They Leave Home. A great list of both practical and philosophical lessons to teach your kids before they reach the age where they know everything. I think that now happens around 13 years-old. (@My Supercharged Life)

Index Fund Investing Overview. If you are looking for a place to invest with high diversification and relatively low fees (for broader index funds with low turnover), index funds are a great place to start. (@Money Smart Life)

5 Reasons To Line Dry Your Laundry. My wife and I may soon be installing a clothesline in our backyard. In many neighborhoods they are frowned upon - one of the reasons I don’t like living in a neighborhood. I digress. One of our neighbors recently put up a clothesline, and we might just follow his lead. (@Simple Mom)

A Few Others I Enjoyed

* 4 Quick Tips for Getting Out of a Rut * Young and Cash Rich * Embracing Simple Style * First Trading Experience With OptionsHouse * The Exponential Power of Delayed Consumption * How Much Emergency Fund is Enough? * 50 Questions that Will Free Your Mind * Save Money On Car Insurance

[nw_arizona_granny]

This message contains the following:

1. Baja Motorsports Recalls Dirt Bikes Sold Exclusively at Pep Boys Due to Fire and Burn Hazards
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11159.html

2. Fun World Recalls Little Pet Vet and Dr. Littles Halloween Costumes with Toy Stethoscopes Due to Choking Hazard http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11160.html

3. Sunbeam Products Recalls Wine Openers Due to Laceration Hazard; Sold by QVC
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11161.html

4. Ms. Bubbles Agrees to Pay $40,000 Civil Penalty for Failing to Report Drawstrings on Children’s Jackets http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11162.html

[nw_arizona_granny]

This message consists of the following:

1. Sunjoy Industries Recalls Outdoor Wood Burning Fireplaces Sold Exclusively at Lowe’s Stores Due to Fire Hazard, http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11157.html

2. Sanus Elements Surge Protectors Recalled by Milestone AV Technologies Due to Shock Hazard; Manufactured by Rite-Tech Industrial Co., http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11158.html

[nw_arizona_granny]

* Exported from MasterCook *

Potato Candy

Recipe By : Real Food for Real People
Serving Size : 48 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Coconut Desserts
Holidays

Amount Measure Ingredient — Preparation Method
———— —————— ————————————————
3/4 cup Mashed Potatoes — cold
4 cups Powdered Sugar
4 cups Coconut Flakes
1 1/2 teaspoons Vanilla
1/2 teaspoon Salt
4 Baking Chocolate Squares

Mix Potatoes and confectioners sugar in a large mixing bowl. Stir in coconut, vanilla and salt. Blend well. Press into one large or two small pans, so candy will be thick. Melt chocolate over hot water, do not let water boil. Pour chocolate on top of candy, cool and cut in squares.

For variations, make haystacks, forming white mixture into cones 1 inch high. Allow to stand uncovered for minutes. Dip base of each cone in melted chocolate. Place on waxed paper until chocolate hardens. Yields about 100 haystacks. (green food coloring may be added if desired)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 83 Calories; 3g Fat (34.3% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 14g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; trace Cholesterol; 46mg Sodium.

Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

*Note: Please forward this recipe post to as many people as you like. All I ask is that you forward the entire message, and that you encourage the recipient to subscribe. Thank you so much! Kaylin

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Mushroom-Laced Fettuccine
(submitted by Lori)

3 TBSP margarine or butter
1/2 lb. sliced mushrooms
1 envelope Lipton Recipe Secrets Savory Herb With Garlic soup mix
1 1/4 C. milk
8 oz fettuccine, cooked & drained

In 10 inch skillet, melt marg. or butter over medium heat & cook mushrooms, stirring occasionally, 6 min. or until tender. Add soup mix blended with milk. Bring to the boiling point over high heat, stirring frequently. Makes about main dish or 4 side dish servings.

Barrie

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Someone recently asked for a meatball recipe and I’m sending my favorite. I’m also sending along my Italian mother’s sauce recipe. The unusual thing about both these recipes are THERE ARE NO ONIONS. It gives the sauce and meatballs an entirely different taste. Please try it, I think you’ll like it.

JoAnn

Italian Spaghetti Sauce

2 28-oz. cans crushed tomatoes
1 crushed tomato can of water
1 12-oz. can tomato paste
1 15-oz. can tomato sauce
1 tsp. dried minced garlic (or 1 Tbsp. fresh minced garlic)
1 Tbsp. dried oregano
1-1/2 tsp. dried sweet basil
3 whole bay leaves
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
red pepper flakes (optional)

Place all ingredients in a large uncovered saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat immediately to simmer and cook uncovered for two hours. Place baked meatballs in sauce as soon as the sauce boils and is reduced to a simmer. Stir occasionally. OR place all the ingredients in a 6 or 7-quart slow cooker including the baked meatballs. Cook uncovered on high for approximately 4-1/2 hours. This is enough sauce for several meals (it freezes great). To reduce the acidity, I add about 1 tsp. baking soda to the sauce after it starts to simmer and then stir the sauce until well-mixed.

Meatballs

1 lb. ground beef
2 eggs
1/2 cup water
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 cup plain bread crumbs
1 to 2 cloves minced garlic or equivalent in garlic powder (approx. 1-1/2 tsp.)
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

Mix together all of the ingredients. Form into 2-inch meatballs (approx. 1.5 ounces). Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, then add to sauce once it starts to boil and is reduced to simmer. Makes approximately 20 meatballs.

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Kelly requested a tried and true recipe for Mac N Cheese. This one is one that I found and we have it every Thanksgiving.

Spicy Macaroni and Cheese

Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 6 to 8 servings

2 cups elbow pasta, cooked until almost al dente
16 ounces Cheddar cheese, 1/2 cubed, 1/2 shredded
8 ounces Monterey pepper jack cheese, cubed
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
4 tablespoons sour cream
1 large egg, beaten
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup half-and-half
4 slices bread
1 tablespoon butter
Special equipment: 2-quart baking dish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, toss together pasta with the cheese cubes and pour into the baking dish. In a large bowl mix together the flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, nutmeg and sour cream, egg, heavy cream and half-and-half. Pour over the pasta and cover with shredded Cheddar. Bake uncovered until top is just beginning to brown, about 35 minutes. Meanwhile, cut the bread into crouton-sized squares. In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter, add cubes and toast until golden. Sprinkle the bread cubes on top of the macaroni and cheese and bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes more.

Hope this helps,

Gail

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Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RealFood4RealPeople/

[nw_arizona_granny]

Urban Agriculture in Nepal

In Nepal, urban and peri-urban agriculture (PUA) has been practiced since time immemorial
and is a traditional way of life. The rate of migration from villages to the urban
areas has increased significantly in the past decade especially, after the beginning
of the armed conflict in the country. Hence, urban population has increased dramatically
in all the urban areas.

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Agricultura urbana como alternativa a para garantizar seguridad alimentaria en Colombia

Familias de sectores populares de Bogotá intentan garantizar su seguridad alimentaria
mientras proyectos milagro al interior de sus comunidades, los cuales consisten
en el desarrollo de nuevos modelos urbanos de agricultura.

---

Urban farming program gets aid

Milwaukee will contribute $425,000 to an ambitious urban agriculture program that
could create 150 jobs for low-income central-city residents, the Common Council
has decided.

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Viherasema launches the first wall garden at a city center restaurant in Helsinki,
Finland

The company launched its latest innovation called the ZENGROW wall garden which
supports the urban gardening movement in the center of Helsinki, Finland.

The ZENGROW
wall garden is inside a new trendy city center restaurant called Bravuria. The wall
garden uses clean hydroponic greenhouse techniques.
Marketing the urban agriculture revolution
Let’s talk about indoor farming inside urban warehouses or sleek glass highrises
in the canyons of crowded neighborhoods.

It may sound strange but that’s the idea behind vertical farming, a new way to grow
food in the middle of and during any season of the year.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stories here:
City Farmer News [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=fclqmpbab&et=1104751333068&s=1304&e=0016AUvKrKPl2u68jX_tlGHghi6lAMGEktCpaOcysr7jKq8xcq457UTsSp7ub2_tyX_82KuEAHmBF4XqdCisQOjdU0zY8Hc72ci2b1ZayXFuWtJR8txY08uqQ==]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michael Levenston
City Farmer - Canada’s Office of Urban Agriculture
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[nw_arizona_granny]

Posted by: “Marilyn”

UNBELIEVABLE FRUIT SALAD,

(AN OLD RECIPE, FROM MY GRANDMA)

4 sm Cans mandarin oranges

4 md Cans pineapple tidbits

2 c Seedless grapes (washed)

4 sm Hershey candy bars (orig.

Recipe said 5 cent size but

Now use reg. size not mini)

2 pt Cool whip or whipped cream

2 pt Sour cream

4 pk Frozen blueberries dry pack

Or use:

4 pints fresh blueberries

Drain canned fruit. Grate chocolate bars and set

aside. Combine whipped cream with sour cream. Fold

in fruit and chocolate and serve immediately. Note.

All fruit except blueberries if frozen, can be

combined and chilled overnight. You can then assemble

just prior to serving. Makes 6-8 generous servings.

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Vintage-Recipes/

[DelaWhere]

Something I am trying this year (so far doing great)

Give Sprouting Seeds A Head Start With Hydrogen Peroxide

It's seed sprouting time for gardeners around the country getting ready for a new gardening season. Getting seeds started early and growing them into strong plants before the last frost gives you a headstart on enjoying summer fruits, vegetables and flowers.

Here's a great way to get a head start without using any toxic or dangerous chemicals... for a healthy garden and a healthy lifestyle for you and your plants. Whether you're starting tomatoes, peas or your favorite flowers, you can speed up the sprouting process and protect your seedlings from mildews and molds with simple hydrogen peroxide.

For wet sprouting (when using a flat surface and wet paper towel or other cloth) simply spray the outer surface of the damp material enclosing the seeds with a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution once a day after remoistening the sprouting seeds.

If you're using seed starter peat pots or other soil-based sprouting media, add 1/4 volume of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to the water before watering the sprouts.

Using hydrogen peroxide in the watering and sprouting material will eliminate fuzzy molds and bacteria which often attack sprouting seeds. It will also speed up the sprouting process sometimes by as much as half.

Read more: Give Sprouting Seeds a Head Start with Hydrogen Peroxide

[nw_arizona_granny]

This message contains the following:

1. Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings Recalled by Sunsations Due to Strangulation Hazard http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11163.html

2. Wall Mount Fireplaces Recalled by Southern Enterprises Due to Fire and Fall Hazards; Sold Exclusively by Home Shopping Network
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11164.html

3. Kid O Products Recalls Wooden Puzzles Due to Choking Hazard http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11165.html

4. Rocky Mountain Bicycles Recalled by Procycle Due to Fall Injury Hazard
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11166.html

5. Atico International USA Recalls Holiday Rattle Baby Slippers Due to Choking Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Walgreens
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11167.html

[nw_arizona_granny]

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!

~ Saint Patrick’s Day Coloring Rainbow
http://www.janbrett.com/saint_patricks_coloring_rainbow.htm

~ Saint Patrick’s Day Coloring Placemats
http://www.janbrett.com/place_mats/happy_st_patricks_coloring_place_mat.htm

~ Hedgehog Leprechaun Coloring Page
http://www.janbrett.com/saint_patricks_coloring.htm

~ Bookmarks for Saint Patrick’s Day
http://www.janbrett.com/bookmarks/bookmarks_saint_patricks_day.htm

~ Saint Patrick’s Day Email Postcards
http://www.janbrett.com/vcards/gbrowse.php?cat_id=9

~ “St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning” Lesson and Links
http://www.janbrett.com/piggybacks/alicia_thomas_saint_patricks_day.htm

~ A Leprechaun Takes a Hedgie Ride Coloring Page
http://janbrett.com/leprechaun_takes_a_hedgie_ride.htm

Sincerely,

Jan Brett

Download a free Jan Brett How to Draw Video -
http://janbrett.com/video/video_main_page.htm

Read all about Jan Brett’s books and get the best bookstore prices - http://www.janbrett.com/bookstores/hedgies_lets_go_shopping.htm
This message was sent by Jan Brett, Post Office Box 366, Norwell, Ma, 02061

[nw_arizona_granny]

U.S. takes over three Tylenol plants
money.cnn ^ | 03/10/2011 | Parija Kavilanz

Posted on Thursday, March 10, 2011 11:00:22 PM by sybilll

The government is taking over three Tylenol plants following a blizzard of drug recalls and a Food and Drug Administration criminal investigation into safety issues at the factories.

(Excerpt) Read more at money.cnn.com ...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2687045/posts

[DelaWhere]

In watching BBC coverage of the Japanese earthquake and relief being sent, they had a segment on an interesting groups product called Shelter Box. Anyone preparing a ‘to go box’ may be interested in what they pack in theirs.

http://www.shelterboxusa.org/about.php?page=9

Each box contains tent, ground cover, tools, wood heater, cooking stove, utensils, cooking gear, blankets, etc. for extended family of 10.

Very interesting project sponsored/supported by International Rotary.

[jessky]

nice to see you back granny

[CottonBall]

Here's some links to recent survival articles on FR:

'Our worst crisis since World War Two'

50 Things Everyone Should Know How To Do

Japanese survivors worry about dwindling supplies, food after devastating earthquake, tsunami

Since another poster has a great survival ping list, I'm quitting mine. Contact Kartographer and he'll get you on his.

[CottonBall]

We've all seen this coming:

Wholesale prices rise 1.6 pct. Biggest jump in food costs in 36 years (Dollar devaluation)

[Marmolade]

Granny, you’re back! Good to see you posting, again. I hope you are feeling better. I will continue prayers for you.

[Marmolade]

A friend asked me (who is new to canning)if I knew how to can chocolate syrup. LOL I told her I would check with others who have way more experience than I do. I didn’t see any recipes in my canning books and wonder if any of you have information on canning chocolate syrup/hot fudge.

[DelaWhere]

I for one, don’t can chocolate sauce...

First, it is low acid so you can’t use hot water bath - have to use pressure canner, BUT, it is not a recommended process.
Several have said that it tends to take on an off-taste when you process it at the 240 degree temps.

What I do is to store cocoa powder (it goes a long way). It can be easily stored with no processing other than closing the jar. (I do use the vacuum sealer to seal them). Having the powder, I can whip up anything from fudge to syrup and all things in between.

[Marmolade]

Thanks for the info about the syrup. I will pass it along to her.

[nw_arizona_granny]

H&P Industries Povidine Iodine Prep Pads
Including products under brand names Cardinal Health, Medical Specialties, VHA, Triad, Triad Plus, North Safety, Total Resources

AUDIENCE: Pharmacy, Consumer, Risk Manager

ISSUE: H&P industries, Inc., a manufacturer of over-the-counter products, initiated a voluntary product recall of ALL LOTS of Povidine Prep Pads manufactured by H&P Industries, Inc. but which are private labeled for many accounts. Analytical testing showed the presence of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica. Use of contaminated Povidine Prep Pads could lead to life-threatening infections, especially in at risk populations, including neonates, immune suppressed patients, and surgical patients. Treatment options are limited for Elizabethkingia meningoseptica infections.

BACKGROUND: Povidine Iodine Prep Pads are used to prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes and burns and are labeled as an antiseptic for preparation of the skin prior to surgery. They were distributed nationwide to healthcare customers and are packaged in individual packets and sold in a box of 100 packets.

RECOMMENDATION: Healthcare organizations should contact H&P Industries Customer Service to arrange a return. If a consumer has any of these types of products in their possession, they should not use the product.

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events, side effects, or product quality problems related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

* Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
* Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

Read the MedWatch safety alert, including a link to the Press Release, at:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm247743.htm

[Velveeta]

[DelaWhere]

WOW, a Gram negative bacteria that can stand up to iodine...

Since it is a common water-borne bacteria, this might degrade anybody’s plans to use iodine for water sterilization of drinking water...

Guess the best bet are filters and pressure canner treatments for sterile water.