Prepared In Every Way

With the temperatures in Houston at 90 degrees and more, I decided to use my SOS Sport sun oven to bake banana bread. Not only was it an experience in cooking without electricity but it kept the kitchen from being overheated!

I made the bread from the basic recipe in the Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook! I poured half of the batter in a dark, glass bread pan, and the other in the dark metal pan that came with the sun oven.    I put the sun oven on my patio and pointed it toward the sun. 

 
I checked the progress in an hour and saw that the dough had risen half way up the pan.

After two hours, the dough in the bread pan was at the top.  There was a shiny look to it, which told me it was cooking.

In three hours, the dough was pulling away from the sides.  Yea!  That should mean it’s done!

The temperature inside the oven registered at 200 degrees almost the entire time.   When I took the cover off, I was careful not to grab the pans with my bare hands, but I didn’t have hot pads with me, either.    The temperature wasn’t so hot that I couldn’t use the bottom of my t-shirt to pick up the pan.

I carried the pans inside and cut into the round pan.  The banana bread was definitely done and had a wonderful, cake-like consistency. 

What would have taken an hour in the oven anyway, at about 350 degrees, only took 3 hours and was cooked by the sun!

Here’s the “after” picture!  You can see that we just dug right into it with forks!

 
Do you have an alternative source for cooking if you don’t have electricity?

Crystal Abrahams has been a guest on my “All You Need to Know” show several times.  She’s one of my favorite guests.  

In one of our recent shows, she talked about using tubs to contain the food she would need for 72 hours.  She then uses another tub for the things she’d need for that 72 hour period – i.e., solar radio, hand crank flashlights, extra clothing, etc.

I went to my local Costco and bought a package of 3 11-gallon containers.  I thought they were a bit pricey at $11, but after a later trip to Walmart, discovered that the price was good for the quality of the containers.

Crystal has a list of items that she puts in her kits, but I had recently purchased some Mountain House meals that only require adding boiling water, and I decided to start there.  Since I needed kits for both myself and my husband, and because the tubs are really a little larger than I need for just one person, I put enough food in the tubs to feed TWO of us for 72 hours.   As of this writing, I have 6 tubs filled and ready for any emergency!  That means that two of us can survive 18 days with just what I have in these tubs. 

This is really for emergencies, and not long-term food storage.  I still have food on my shelves that is rotated as I cook my usual meals.

Here’s Crystal’s list of things she put into her own 1-person 72 hour kit:

Sugar (not a full 5#, but am refilling honey jars)
Ketchup
1 roll ppr towel taken from a 12-roll pack;
2 rolls toilet ppr;
2 two-lb cartons Chicken broth;
2 gallons of water (I know it should be three, but three won’t fit with everything else I want; plus, I keep a bigger tub that fits exactly six gallons in the trunk of the car 24/7);
1 plastic bottle of dollar store pure soybean oil to use to fry things in, since I may not have butter;
1 dollar store honey flavored syrup;
1 dollar store Parmesan Cheese (it’s Kraft!);
1 dollar store Mayo;
1 walmart salt & ppr, only 94 cents, cheaper than Dollar Store;
2 cans German Potato Salad (dollar store);
2 cans Spaghettios (Campbells, even though I got at DStore;
2 cans sliced beets, DS (lots of iron in them);
2 cans dole mandarin oranges, DS;
1 jar instant coffee, 1 ounce, refilled from a large jar into old jars I kept from camping;
Dollar store bag of rice, 1.5 lbs.;
1 pkg dog treats;
3 quart sized ziplocks with one day’s worth of dog food in each, taken from 40-lb bag with measuring cup;
1 pkg cat treats;
3 pouches cat food (they share 1 pouch a day);
3 tubs of Annie Chuns rice; can eat without microwaving, raw out of container because they’re pre-cooked (walmart);
3 cups Idahoan potatoes, single serving, add hot water, taken from flats of those I bought;
Ditto Kraft “cheesy made easy” single serving cups, taken from a 6-pack;
Dollar Store box of Denture Cleanser;
Dollar Store Triple Antibiotic Ointment;
Dollar Store first aid kit;
Dollar Store q-tips box (need for teeth);
Dollar Store matches, two-carton pkg;
Dollar Store Ibuprofen pain killer, 40 tab;
Travel sized Shampoo & Conditioner I got from Walmart travel section, 1.7 fl oz each;
Johnson’s baby powder from same section, because if I don’t shower daily I get a sore bottom!
Dollar store Dial deoderant;
10-pak of Kleenexes that I bought a large flat of, the little purse-sized ones.
Dollar Store Cocoa Butter hand lotion (my hands are always dry, and it drives me nuts if I don’t have lotion handy).
Purse sized Polident (Wally)
5-pack of dust masks (Wally, or maybe DS)
Travel size body wash/soap, Wally?
Vitamins

Bear in mind that all the things I only need one of (tools, clothes, radio, etc) are in my go bag.
All of that fits in a 10-gallon Rubbermaid Tub purchased for $4.99.

Since baking the banana bread in the sun oven, I’m waking up every day and trying to find other things to cook. I promise that I won’t always cook bread, but today I am working all day, and decided to cook a chocolate cake outside!

I used a cake mix and poured it in the enamel pan that came with the sun oven. Dark cookware works the best because it absorbs the heat. Shiny stainless steel, as much as I love it in my kitchen, is not good outside. (I don’t use non-stick products.) So…instead of a 9×12 cake, we’ll be having a round, TALL cake! Maybe it will even look like a double layer cake without having to put the layers together.

Not sure why all my pictures this morning are going sideways, but I’m going to post them anyway, and will fix later.

Disneyworld is the “Happiest Celebration on Earth,” or so the signs say.   Sometimes parents have to mortgage their homes to come up with the cash to travel to Orlando or Los Angeles for the “Disney Experience.”     It may cost a family of four $1000 for airfare, another $500 for a hotel, another $500 for a car, and you still haven’t covered the meals and souvenirs you’re going to buy.  Is it any wonder that parents are grouchy before the trip is over? 

We go there with expectations that everything will be perfect, and get frustrated when the kids get tired and cranky or don’t seem to appreciate the effort you’ve made to take them there.   I’ve decided that most kids would be just as happy at the zoo or the pool, but it’s the parents who feel this need to give this experience to their children.  If we admit it, maybe we’re there for our own experience.  Haven’t you seen the commercials where the grandparents are going by themselves?

In Orlando, we spent time at three of the Disney attractions – The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and MGM Studios.  

Here are a few suggestions for cutting your expenses:

1. We were concerned about buying from discount ticket brokers, so we bought our tickets directly from the Disney Store.   We didn’t want to stand in line atDisneyworldor wait for them to come in the mail.  Although we knew that we would only spend three days on this trip, we bought six day passes because it took the price down to about $40 a day instead of $100.   We figured that we have at least one more Disney trip in our future, so it made sense to us. 
2. In addition, we paid extra for the “park hopper” option so we could do just that – hop from one park to another in the same day, or you can leave and come back.   We never did that, because the parks are so huge that you could never see everything in one day.
    
3. We also paid extra for a card that never expired. 
4. We had been told that when you first go into the park you put your card through a machine, and then have to put two of your fingers into a reader that scans for a fingerprint.   The idea is to identify the card carrier and prohibit you from reselling your unused card.  My husband and I switched cards the second day and didn’t have a problem, so I think this is just a scare tactic.
5. Parking passes are $9 per day, but you can use them to go in and out, or to hop from one park to another.   
6. Take a stroller.   It costs $9 a day for a single stroller or $18 for a double.  Whether you take your own or rent one, if you’ve got kids under 10, it will come in handy.  Even if the kids aren’t tired, it will help you avoid having to carry everything you’re going to buy.   There are many activities that will require you to leave the stroller parked outside, and we always carried our valuables inside with us, but people didn’t seem to bother our stroller or the things stashed underneath. 
7. Take your own food.   We had been told by our travel agent that you couldn’t take food into the parks, so Day 1 we spent a lot of money on food.  We saw others eating their own food, so the next day we took peanut butter sandwiches, chips, and water.  The small bottle of water at the park is $1.25, so with 6 of us, this made a big difference.  We stored everything under the seat in the stroller.
8. Layer your clothing!  Going in February, we weren’t sure what the weather would be.   I took short and long sleeved shirts; added a vest and then a basic windbreaker.  The vest had pockets and came in handy for carrying my cell phone and camera.    The windbreaker was lightweight enough that it wasn’t heavy to wear, and it folded up small enough that it easily fit in my fanny pack. 
9. Take a fanny pack and carry only what you have to have.  I took my driver’s license, one credit card, and cash.  I also had anti-bacterial gel and lip balm.  After the first day, we carried quarters and pennies because the kids liked pressing their own penny for each event. 
10. Give the kids their own disposable cameras to take photos.  I took about 100 photos but the kids had fun taking their own.  When I got home, I uploaded mine to the computer and then to the internet so I could share them with my friends.  www.ufoto.com
11. If you’re on a limited budget, and if your kids are old enough, I think parents would save money by giving their child a certain amount of money and letting them assume responsibility for it.   Our grandkids are 3 and 6, so they’re still a bit small, but we saw one mother who had an envelope of cash for each of her children.  When they wanted to buy something, she’d pull the money out of their respective envelope.   This will take extra time if you’ve got to ring up three separate sales, but at least it will be fair.  
12. Even though you don’t pay extra for the rides, each one of them dumps you into a gift shop with items you feel like you have to have.  We had fun taking pictures of each other in front of things to show we’d been there instead of always having to buy something as a memory. 
13. The big craze is the Disney pins.  The least expensive one is $6.95, but if it has moving parts or something glittery, it can go higher.  They’ll sell you a lanyard for another $5.95 to hold all of your pins, but we found the exact lanyard at a local Wal-Mart for $3.95.   If you’re investing in the pins, you might want to also invest in a more stable back to hold them in place.  You can get 12 of them for $8.95.

Everywhere you turn around, you’re pulling money out of your wallet, but if you go with some planning, you can reduce your expenses.   I wanted a Mickey Mouse shirt and even outside the theme parks the most inexpensive one I could find was $12.99.   On my trip to Wal-Mart I found one I liked for just $5.00.  Did it matter to me that I didn’t buy it from a cute little Disney employee?  Not one bit!

If you want a Disney vacation this year, start planning now.  Bite the bullet and be realistic about the cost of the trip.

My guest for today’s show is the Freeze Dry Guy.   Call in at 1 pm Central to speak to the host, 347-326-9604, or listen to the recorded show 24/7.

Come learn more about the differences in freeze dried and dehydrated and all the uses for them.   Find out which brand is the best.  Learn the best way to store your freeze dried food.   

Freeze dried food can be used for more than survival during disasters.  Come learn how you can be better prepared every day. 

Half of Americans With Children Set to Die Without a Will
This article caught my attention on Yahoo this morning.  Interesting reading not only the article but some of the comments.

What else do you need?

Download 100 Things the Survivor Must Do

Don’t leave your loved ones guessing …

Some great information from my friend and fellow prepper host:

On Ready Or Not we discussed why and how to build a safe room in your home. This is not just a good idea for those living in the path of hurricanes and tornadoes, but for all of us. Listen
to the archived broadcast to learn why. The show answered so many questions that I could not get through all there is to know so listen now and prepare for part
two in a few weeks.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2012/04/11/ready-or-not-with-carolyn-nicolaysen

My sweet brother in law, George, passed away recently  He’d been in a nursing home for a few years dealing with the effects of  Parkinson’s Disease, but then he took a turn for the worse.  On  Monday, Hospice was called in and by Wednesday, he was gone.  It was a blessing  for him, but a terrible loss for the ones left behind.

We made preparations to drive to Kansas City.  I packed my portable office and my suitcase, and we were on the road Thursday morning for the 13 hour drive.

On Friday, we gathered with his wife and children to plan the funeral.   I sat with pen and paper and started  asking questions.  No one knew where to start or what to do.  Fortunately for
them, I’ve had some experience with planning funerals,  so I scribbled an agenda and then filled in the blanks.  They were happy to have  someone just tell them what to do.  When you’re grieving, it’s just not possible  to think clearly.

Funeral Service  Agenda

Opening Remarks – Thank you for being  here today to celebrate the life of George A. Pierce

Opening  Prayer given by family member

Music – A hymn  chosen by the family and performed by someone the funeral home  provided

Eulogy -  I asked for a copy of the obituary  and then softened it up a bit to work for the eulogy.  I also asked more  detailed questions so we could share more about his life.  (You don’t say much  when the newspaper is charging you by the word!)

Invitation -  for friends or family to come forward and share how George touched  their lives.

Music – A little non-traditional, but the  family wanted to play George’s favorite country song for him one last time.  We  also thought it would lighten things up and reflect George’s sense of humor.   The song was, “She Thinks my Tractor’s Sexy,” by Kenny Chesney.

Closing Prayer given by a family  member

The End.   The person conducting thanked everyone  for coming and invited them to come to the grave site.

At that point, the  funeral director came in and gave directions on how to exit the building and get  to the grave site.

At the grave site, we wanted a  prayer and to dedicate the ground where he would be put to rest.  We did a  Google search for the “ashes to ashes” scripture and found one in Genesis.

At that point, we dismissed and invited family to join us at the church where a nice meal had been provided for us.

I hope it’s a long time before you have to help plan a funeral, but thought I’d  post this anyway.  Maybe it will be helpful to someone.

Rest in Peace,  George

No, I’m not doing assisted suicides.  I’m helping my friend Rhonda deal with the impending loss of her mother.

Delma is 94 years old.  I’ve known her for about 4 years – same length of time I’ve known Rhonda.  I’ve visited her every month in those 4 years and come to love them both.  Rhonda has an incredible sense of duty and responsibility to her mother.  Rhonda has put everything else aside to care for her mother 24/7.  While it’s admirable, it’s not healthy.  Other relationships have suffered and it will be good for her to be able to have more balance once her mother passes on.

Having had my own mother in my home for the last 5 years of her life, I know it’s tough to carry that responsibility.   While I feel like I gave my mother the best I had, there were times when I didn’t think I could endure one more day.    Rhonda has always made me wish I had been better.

Yesterday I spent the afternoon with Rhonda and other family members while they discussed what was best for Delma at this point.  She’d already made her own request:  let me die but don’t make me suffer.

Delma was transferred from the hospital to complete hospice care later in the day.  They promise they’ll do just what she asked.  She won’t have to swallow any pills.  She won’t receive any antibiotics.  She won’t have to endure the sting of a needle or take any tests.  No one will hurt her tender bones by making her get up to go to the bathroom or even take a shower.  The goal is to make her comfortable, and she’s getting enough morphine to erase the pain.

Family members are making calls and people whose lives she’s touched are coming to express their love and appreciation to her.  I’ve learned so much about Delma as a young mother and grandmother.  She was fun.  She took children in and raised them for whatever time they needed her.  Grandkids adored her.  I wish I would have known her then.  I think we could have had great times together.  I’m so appreciative of all of the wonderful stories that have helped paint a picture of the complete person Delma is.

This beautiful woman can’t always respond to the comments and gestures, but I don’t believe the words are wasted.  I believe she hears everything going on even if she doesn’t have the strength or ability to say the words her loved ones want to hear.

It’s sad to say goodbye to those we love, but I think it’s rather selfish to try to keep them here when their spirits are ready to fly.  I’d like to add my farewell to those of others.

Have a pleasant journey, Delma.  I know there are countless others waiting for you on the other side.  You will soon be free of that body that has burdened you and held you back for so long.

Joyce

Note:  It’s good to have things in order so the family knows exactly what you want them to do.  Visit Emerson Publications for help.

This was sent to me by a friend and I liked it because as a small business owner myself, I try to do my shopping with other small businesses.    I’ve modified the original just a bit because I like my version better!

As the holidays approach, let’s stop supporting those countries who take American jobs.  This year, shop at home for gifts that support local businesses.    By shopping from our own communities, you’ll see that we’re also shopping more “green” because we’re not adding “things.”   Keep reading and you’ll see what I mean.

1.  How about gift a certificate from your local American hair salon or barber?   Not only are you giving a gift that everyone needs at one time or another, but you’re referring a new customer to your favorite hair salon.

2. Gym membership? It’s appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

3. Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car washed or detailed? Small, American-owned carwashes and detail shops would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

4. Are you an extravant giver?  Look for real needs:  have their driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter.

5. There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants — all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn’t about big National chains — this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

6. How many people couldn’t use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

7. Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

8. My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

9. OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They also make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.   Shop local craft fairs for gifts made in your community.

10. Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.

11. Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

12.  When you buy a five dollar string of lights, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip. 

13.  What about a membership to the zoo, or a gift certificate for your local golf course? 

This Christmas, support American small businesses.   When you care about other Americans,  the benefits come back to you in ways you can’t even  imagine.

Apparently, about 75% of honey in “big box stores” is not really honey and may have come from China.  It may contain, among other things, heavy metals and antibiotics. 

 Since honey is an essential part of food storage because it NEVER spoils, make sure you’re buying the real thing.  I like to buy my 100% Organic Raw, Wild, Unprocessed Honey from Tropical Traditions.  It has a creamier texture and has not been heated to temperatures that liquefy it.     Another resource is your local feed store.    Buy the real thing.

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/11/tests-show-most-store-honey-isnt-honey/

I got this from a friend.  Don’t know who originally wrote it but thought it was definitely worth passing along!  Enjoy!

Am I the only person who hasn’t heard of “cooler corn”?  Over the weekend I was blindsided by the simple genius of this method for cooking loads of corn on the cob perfectly.

I was hepped to it while visiting my family in Maine. Short story: We like corn on the cob. And with eight adults at the table, that means a couple of dozen ears. We would have used the lobster pot to cook them all, but the lobster pot was busy steaming lobster.Then my sister, a capable Maine cook with years of camping experience says “let’s do cooler corn!” Before I can ask “what the hell is cooler corn?” a Coleman cooler appears from the garage, is wiped clean, then filled with the shucked ears. Next, two kettles-full of boiling water are poured over the corn and the top closed.

Then nothing.

When we sat down to dinner 30 minutes later and opened it, the corn was perfectly cooked. My mind was blown. And I’m told that the corn will remain at the perfect level of doneness for a couple of hours.

Turns out, Cooler Corn is pretty well known among the outdoorsy set But for those of us who avoid tents as much as possible, it’s perfect for large barbecues and way less of mess than grilling. In fact, I may even buy another cooler just so I’m ready for next summer. Now that I’m in the know.