Living On Our Food Storage-Day 6

"The revelation to store food may be as essential to our temporal salvation today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah."
-President Ezra Taft Benson

We are actually doing really well. This morning we had omelets. I was trying to use up the lunch meat before it goes bad. I sautéed frozen chopped onion and bell peppers that I had stored when they went on sale a while back. So Ivan and I had omelets supreme. Of course, the kids wanted theirs without the good stuff.

Later on in the morning, Liz and I headed to a free cooking class given by King Author's Flour Company. It was really good. I learned a couple things that I didn't know before. I keep my jarred yeast in the frig, but I learned that my yeast packets/envelopes should be stored in the freezer. If you store them in your pantry, they tend to loose their ability to raise. The lady actually had some great bread making tips. Plus, they gave Lizzie and I both a $10 gift card to use on their website. Yeah!

After the class, we headed to meet up with Ivan, our 3 other kids, 2 friends of Ivan's from work, and Jen Mouso and her boys to go to Chipotle. Chipotle was offering a free burrito, taco, salad, or bowl to anyone who was wearing red between 2 & 4 p.m. today. We got there while the line was still inside the building. When we left, the line was wrapped all the way down the side walk. Glad we got there early. It was so hard not to order the chips and salsa or the guacamole, but we were not going to pay to eat out while we are trying to survive on our food. We saw Sister Cherry there also, she's doing the same challenge. Great minds think alike!

After that I did run to Albertsons. I can't pass up 6 free bags of chex mix and salad dressing for $1 with my coupons. I also stopped by Fry's to use my coupons on the Pace Salsa which made each 16 oz jar 50 cents. I came home and put everything in my office closet, so we won't be touching it for another 8 days! I was down to 2 or 3 jars of salsa in my pantry. With the 12 jars purchased today, I probably have almost a 9 month supply.

My last entry includes my lists of what I am glad I had and what I wish I had stocked up on. I keep updating my list on almost a daily basis! I hope it helps someone else! We're down to 4+ gallons of milk and 3+ dozen eggs, so we are doing well there. Good luck to the rest of those trying to live on their food storage. The nice part has been the realization that we could actually make it for a fairly substantial amount of time if there was ever such an emergency. I see why the scriptures say that if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear! (D&C 38:30)

Living On Our Food Storage- My Lists

Okay, we are now into our 4th day. Only 10 more to go! :-) I actually found another partial loaf of white bread when I was going through the freezer. Yeah! I'm not sure I'm going to have enough juice boxes to last the whole 2 weeks for the 3 kid's lunches. I have a small supply of water bottles, so I think they can take those if we run out. I'm going to be cutting it close on the diapers. I had 2 jumbo packs in the closet. I think it should last us 10 days.

In my mind, I thought how easy this challenge would be. That was when I was thinking it would be only a week. I'm going to start compiling 2 lists - one of things that I am grateful that I had in my food storage and two of what I wish I would have stocked up on. Things I wouldn't have thought about before this challenge. Hopefully this will help those who get to do this next!

What I am grateful that I had in my food storage when and since I got the phone call:
1. Extra Pam Cooking Spray
2. Enough Butter
3. 5 dozen Eggs
4. 8 gallons of milk (We froze 3 for the 2nd week.)
5. I had lots of greens in the frig. I have enough to make 2 more salads.
6. Frozen fruits and canned fruits
7. Frozen vegetables and canned veggies
8. Frozen meats
9. Enough cheese and tortillas (I freeze tortillas. I have about 7 packs left in the freezer.)
10. Baby wipes
11. Extra Olive oil and Canola Oil
12. Enough Frozen meals that my husband could take to work for 2 weeks
13. Instant Oatmeal Packets *added 1/30
14. All the ingredients to make bread! *added 1/31
15. A free lunch at Chipotle today for wearing red! *added 1/31 I wanted to add quacamole, but didn't! Thanks, Chipotle! Go Cardinals!
16. Muffin Mixes *added 1/31
17. Pancake mix * added 1/31
18. 4 rolls of paper towels * added 2/2
19. All the ingredients to make cinnamon rolls *added 2/2
20.
21.



What I wish I would have stocked up on:
1. DIAPERS
2. Juice Boxes
3. More White Bread in the Freezer
4. Claritin *added 1/31
5. Extra bottle of Ketchup *added 1/31 usually I do have an extra, just not this time!
6. More paper towels than the 4 rolls I have *added 2/2
7.
8.

Living on Our Food Storage

On Sunday our family was given the challenge of living off our food storage for two weeks. One week would have been easy, but two weeks is a long time. I thought I'd use this blog to inform you of how we are doing.

When asked, we first checked how much milk and eggs we had in the fridge. Those were my first 2 concerns. We had 8 gallons of milk and 5 dozen eggs. We immediately put 3 gallons of milk in the freezer to help prolong it's life. We're doing this until February 8th! So, far all is well. I have a deep freezer full of food which also helps a lot.

I realized today that I am already on my last loaf of white bread. I have 2 loaves of wheat bread in the freezer, but my kids only like my homemade wheat bread or store bought white bread. Since I send a sandwich everyday with 3 kids, I'll be making bread into the 2nd week. We are also already rationing out the yogurt as well to help it last.

I still have to check my diaper supply. I hope I have enough in the closet to last us through the whole 2 weeks. If not, I may have to break down and buy some. I'm NOT doing cloth diapers! :-)

The main worry I had doing this challenge was missing out on all the coupon deals during the 2 weeks. I talked to Sister Delgado. She said that you can take advantage of the deals, but can NOT use what you get. I took her at her word. Anything I get, I am putting in my office closet, so we don't have pantry access to it during the 2 weeks. I can't pass up the free or next to free deals I get each week with my coupons!!! That helps feed my family over the next few months.

This actually has been good for us! We have so much in the freezer that we need to be using so this will help me get it cleaned out!

Good luck to our other friends who are also doing this same challenge and congratulations to all the other families who have already survived the ordeal! :-)

The Information from my Slow Cooker class

Last night I taught a midweek class for the Continental Ranch ward on how to use your slow cooker. Here are 2 of the 9 recipes the women made for people to sample from 101 Things To Do With A Slow Cooker and 101 More Things To Do With A Slow Cooker. I had several request from people outside our area to post the tips I shared. Enjoy!

Four Hour Stew

1-2 pounds stew meat
2 cups new or white potatoes, quartered
20 baby carrots, halved
1 (10 3/4 ounces) can cream of celery soup
1 (10 3/4 ounces) can cream of mushroom soup
1 soup can water
1 (1 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix

Combine all ingredients in 3 ½ - 5 quart greased slow cooker. Cover and cook on high heat 4 hours or on low heat 6 - 8 hours. Serve with hot bread or in bread bowls.


Sunday Chicken

6- 8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 (10 3/4 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup
1 (1 3/8 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix

1 cup sour cream

Place chicken in slow cooker. Mix remaining ingredients except sour cream and pour over chicken. Cover and cook on high heat 4 hours or on low heat 6-8 hours. One hour prior to serving, stir in sour cream. Serve over rice or noodles.

Tips for Successful Crock-Pot Cooking

1. Keep cleaning to a minimum. Spray the inside of the pot with non-stick cooking spray before adding ingredients to your slow cooker. Or rub shortening over inside of pot.

2. To test the cooking temperature of your slow cooker, fill slow cooker 3/4 full of water. Cover and turn on high heat for 4 hours. With an instant heat thermometer, test water temperature immediately after lid is removed. Temperature should be at least 180 degrees. If less than 180 degrees, we recommend replacing your slow cooker. If higher than 180 degrees, check for doneness after three hours of cooking.

3. Every time the lid is lifted it lengthens the cooking time between 15-30 minutes. RESIST THE TEMPTATION!!!!!!

4. Stirring is generally not needed until serving.

5. Slow Cooker should be at least ½ -3/4 full to insure proper cooking.

6. Recipes containing raw poultry or beef should cook a minimum of three hours on high heat. Raw meat and fresh vegetable combinations need at least 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high.
Meat should be done at the following temperatures: poultry 180 degrees, pork 165 degrees, and beef 170 degrees.

7. Adapting Your Favorite Oven Recipes to your slow cooker.

Conventional Oven Slow Cooker Slow Cooker
Baking Time Low Cooking Time High Cooking Time

15 to30 minutes 4-6 hours 1 ½ - 2 hours
35 to 40 minutes 6-10 hours 3 - 4 hours
50 min to 3 hours 8 - 18 hours 4 - 6 hours

8. One hour on high heat equals about 2 hours on low heat. Low is best, but use high when time is of the essence. Low setting is approximately 200 degrees while high setting is approximately 275 - 300 degrees. Heat varies from brand to brand.

9. If your stoneware is removable, never place it on a stove top burner to prevent cracking.

10. Cool the Stoneware liner slightly before adding water to prevent cracking.

11. Ground Beef should be browned and drained before adding to Crock-Pot.

12. Fresh milk, cream, sour cream, and cream cheese should be added the last hour of cooking. Evaporated milk can be substituted for fresh milk and can be cooked the entire cooking time for the recipe.

13. Long grain converted rice is recommended for rice dishes.

14. Cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, and cream of mushroom soup are all interchangeable.

15. Root vegetables (onion, carrots, potatoes, turnips) take longer than meat. Place vegetables on bottom and around sides of slow cooker.

16. Tough, inexpensive meat works best. The moist, gentle heat slowly tenderizes these cuts as they cook.

17. Liquid is retained, so don’t use extra liquid.

18. To thicken sauce, soups or gravy use instant mashed potato flakes, instant tapioca, flour or cornstarch.

19. Frozen cuts of meat can be used. Add 4 - 6 additional hours on low heat or 2 additional hours on high heat.

20. For the recipes that call for minced garlic, use jarred garlic found in the spice section of the grocery store.

21. Fresh chopped onion can be used in place of dried minced onion. One medium onion equals ½ cup dried minced onion.

22. Recipes can be assembled and stored in the refrigerator the night before except those that call for uncooked pasta. In the morning place cold stoneware in cold electrical base. DO NOT PREHEAT ELECTRICAL BASE. Once stoneware is in place, turn to preferred heat setting.

23. To remove scratches from stoneware, use Bon Ami (TM or R), or vinegar and baking soda. Baking Soda also works well to clean electrical base. DO NOT SUBMERGE ELECTRICAL BASE IN WATER.

Happy Slow Cooking!

Stephanie From A to Z

A--Attached or Single: Attached to Ivan almost 12 years now :)
B--Best Friend: Ivan, my mom, my sister Katie, and lots of great friends in our ward
C--Cake or Pie: Cake - Death By Chocolate Cake from my cake mix book is my favorite!
D--Day of Choice: Sunday (I finally get a day to rest!)
E--Essential Item: Diaper and wipes
F--Favorite Color: burgandy
G--Greatest Accomplishment: My family. 13 cookbooks.
H--Hometown: Kirklin, Indiana
I--Indulgences: Chocolate
J--January or July: July - January- I love being able to wear a sweater on occasion!
K--Kids: 2 boys and 2 girls
L--Life is incomplete without: My husband and kids
M--Marriage Date: May 10th
N--Number of Siblings: Seven - 2 sisters, 5 brothers. I'm the oldest.
O--Oranges or Apples: apples
P--Phobias or fears: a fear of heights and rattlesnakes
Q--Quotes: "...the Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done”-Joseph Smith
R--Reason to Smile: My kids on a good day, My great husband, Seeing people join the church
S--Season: Fall and all its yummy smells
T--Tag 5 Friends: Suzanne B., Emily M., Chrissy B., Kate Walker, and Tiffany H.
U--Unknown fact about me: I love musicals! I'm always singing to my kids especially when they are little.
V--Very favorite store: Ross and Tuesday Morning- I love hunting for deals
W--Worst habit: procrastination
X--X-ray or Ultra Sound: X-ray -I hate that cold gel used for Ultra Sounds
Y--Your favorite food: Anything Mexican
Z--Zodiac: Leo

An amazing young woman shares her feelings about our faith

I really liked this clip of Rachel Esplin, a junior at Harvard, sharing her feelings about our faith. She was grilled with some difficult questions yet she was totally calm and answered with such wisdom for a 20 year old. She'd be a great missionary. Way to go, Rachel!


Day of Faith: Personal Quests for a Purpose - 3. Rachel Esplin from Harvard Hillel on Vimeo.

EggPlant Parmesan from 101 Things To Do With Meatballs

Many of you have been getting my newest book, 101 Things to Do With Meatballs. I have been waiting for Eggplant to go on sale so I could make this recipe again. It was so yummy when I made it last summer. Albertsons, in Arizona, has their large eggplants on sale for $1 each!

Here's what I'll be making:

Eggplant Parmesan

1 large eggplant, peeled and diced
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 jar (26 ounces) spaghetti sauce
30 frozen, fully cooked meatballs, thawed
1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
8 to 10 cups hot cooked pasta

Place eggplant in a 4-5 quart stockpot. Cover with water and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Recuce heat to cook at a low boil for 8 minutes, stirring frequently: drain.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, stir together the eggplant, garlic, Italian seasoning, spaghetti sauce, and meatballs. Pour into a 9 x 13-inch pan prepared with non-stick cooking spray. In a separate bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and cheese. Sprinkle mixture evenly over the eggplant mixture. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until bubbly and golden. Serve over the pasta. Makes 6-8 servings.

Amazon.com has 101 Things to Do With Meatballs already to order for $9.99. I have several copies at my home too if any of you who live close want to buy any.

Tip on saving money on meatballs: I purchase the 6 lb bags of Casa Di Bertacchi frozen fully cooked meatballs from Sams Club for @ $11. I always have a bag in my freezer for easy access!