Thursday, August 28, 2008

Provident Living: Ways to Save at the Supermarket

Shop the perimeter: Fresh, whole foods--often minimally packaged, such as fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, poultry and dairy products are likely to be a better buy than processed foods that come in packages. These fresh foods are located on the perimeter of most stores.

Use what you have: Chances are there are lots of spices, dried herbs, rubs, seasonings, etc., in your pantry. Pull out a few cookbooks and find ways to use up those pricey little jars of flavor instead of buying new ones.

Shop in ethnic grocery stores: Fresh herbs, other produce and spices are often much cheaper than in a supermarket.

Make your own salad dressing, marinades and sauces: They are simple and quick to make and you probably have all the ingredients on hand. They are much cheaper than, say, $5 or %6 for a 10-ounce bottle of a commercial product.

Pay attention to the food's price per ounce, listed on the shelf tag below it: You might assume the large and/or private label jar is a better value, but that is not always the case.

Exploit your freezer: Buy meats in bulk and freeze part of them. And before you toss out leftovers, consider whether they might play another role for a future meal. Freezing is a great way to play for time.

Write a grocery list and stick to it: Avoid impulse buying and don't shop when you are hungry.

Eat less: New stories report again and again that health officials consider most Americans to be overweight and one-third to be obese. One way to spend less is to consume less. find out what real portion sizes should be and make less pasta, less rice, less meat.

Skip the expensive beverages: Stop drinking sodas (diet or not) and bottled water. Drink tap water, dropping a slice of lemon into your glass to boost the flavor.

Use coupons and loyalty cards to save money: Always leaving your coupons at home? Keep the coupon organizer in your car or purse.

Source: McClatchy Newspapers, August 27, 2008

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Cooking with Basic Food Storage: The Can Plan

It takes time to plan and learn to use traditional food storage items. Planning meals entirely from cans and other dried storable foods will help you rotate your food storage, create a quick and easy meal and will not require a wheat grinder.

The Can Plan

  1. Plan one meal entirely from cans and other dried storable foods.
  2. Purchase the ingredients to make 12 of these meals, (once each month).
  3. Decide how many meals a week you think you'll want a break from your stored wheat or rice and make a meal for each day. Example: I want three dinners a week that won't be just wheat or rice or beans. This means that I have to find 12 recipes that I like and purchase each meal 12 times.

Some Ideas:

  • 12 jars of spaghetti, 12 boxes of noodles.
  • 12 cans of a great soup or stew, etc.
  • Improvise your recipes to be made entirely from cans.
    Try some of the following recipes...

CAN PLAN RECIPES:


Taco Soup

2 cans kidney beans or chili beans

2 cans diced tomatoes

1 can corn 1 packet (or 1/4 cup) taco seasoning (or more if desired)

Place contents of cans (including liquid) and taco seasoning into sauce pan. Simmer for 20-30 minutes. Cheese, crushed corn chips (or tortilla chips), and/or sour cream all make great mix-ins. Great also served with cornbread.


Tamale Pie

5 large tamales (canned)

can of chili con carne

1 sm. can tomato sauce

1 lg. can whole tomatoes

1 med. can niblet corn with sweet peppers

1 sm. can whole, or sliced pitted black olives Cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)


Slice tamales in fourths and lay on the bottom of a 9” X13” glass dish. Combine in a large saucepan: tomato sauce, and chili until dissolved. Add whole tomatoes, pitted olives and corn. Pour over tamales. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. Bake 1 hour, uncovered, at 350 until hot and bubbly.


Chinese Casserole

2 cans Tuna

1 can mushroom soup

1/4 cup water

1 Tbsp. soy sauce

1 cup whole cashews

1 - 4oz. can mushrooms

2 cups canned Chinese Chow Mien noodles

1/4 cup minced onions (or equivalent in dried)

2 cans water chestnuts

Drain the tuna. Mix with the soup, water, soy sauce, and all other ingredients except 1 cup of the noodles. Place in casserole. Can be refrigerated at this point or baked at 375 for 40 min.

Lobster Newberg


1 can each of shrimp, lobster and crab.

4 Tbsp. butter (broth can be substituted)

1/2 tsp. paprika

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

2 can cream of mushroom soup

1- 3oz. can mushrooms and juice

1 can evaporated milk

1/4 tsp. salt

Melt butter or broth in pan and sauté washed shellfish for about 5 min. Sprinkle on paprika and nutmeg and stir. Mix together the soup, mushrooms and milk. Pour this over seafood, adding salt to taste. Serve over hot rice.

Quick Tamale Casserole


4 cans chicken tamales

1 can creamed corn 1 can pitted olives, drained 1/3 cup grated cheese (optional only under extreme conditions)

Mix canned foods, cover with cheese, bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Sounds disgusting but it's one of our standbys.

Potato Casserole

2 cans small white potatoes

parsley

pepper

dill seed

oregano

1 can mushroom soup

1 soup can of milk

garlic powder

paprika

Drain potatoes and place in a baking dish. Sprinkle generously with parsley. Season with salt, pepper, pinch of dill, 2 pinches of oregano. Mix soup and milk and add 1/8 tsp garlic powder. Pour over potatoes and sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 350 for 45 min.

Chicken Deluxe

4 cups Pepperidge Farms Herb Stuffing Mix(1/2 bag)

1 cup margarine melted (sub. broth or butter buds)

Mix this and press 1/2 the mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 pan.

Mix together:

2 cans cream of celery soup

1 can milk.

Pour over the crumbs.

Scatter on top:

3 cans of chicken

2 Tbsp. Dried minced onions

dash of pepper

1 small jar of pimientos

1 package frozen peas, not thawed (If using only canned foods substitute canned water chestnuts or canned peas.)

Top with the rest of the crumb mixture. Bake at 375 for 60 min. Cool slightly to cut into squares.
Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

1 8 oz. Package spaghetti

1 envelope chicken gravy mix

1 ¼ c. milk

¼ cup cooking sherry or apple juice

2 cans chunk chicken

1 4 oz. Can sliced mushrooms, drained.

2 Tbsp. Grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare spaghetti as label directs; drain. Place spaghetti in a greased 8-inch-square baking dish. Mix together remaining ingredients, except cheese. Pour mixture over spaghetti. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 45 minutes, until bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Makes 4 servings.

Tuna Shortcake (from Cambell’s Soup)

1 can Cream of Mushroom soup

1 ¼ cup milk

1 7 oz. Can tuna, drained and flaked

1 c. cooked peas (use canned, drained peas)

1 Tbsp. Chopped pimento

In saucepan, combine ingredients. Heat; stir often. Serve over biscuits. Makes about 2 ½ cups.
This recipe can be added to, according to your supply and your fancy! Try a can of drained water chestnuts or mushrooms, or top with almond slivers. A great recipe meal for busy moms!

Red Clam Sauce and Linguine

1 onion chopped (or 1 Tbsp. Minced onion)

1 clove garlic, minced (I buy it in a jar, already minced)

2 Tbsp. Olive oil

2 - 6 ½ oz. Cans minced clams, drained

1 - 6 oz. Can tomato paste

1 cup water

2 Tbsp. Lemon juice

1 Tbsp. Chopped fresh parsley (or 1½ tsp. Dried parsley)

1 tsp. Sugar

¼ tsp. Rosemary

¼ tsp. Ground thyme

8 oz. Linguine or spaghetti, cooked and drained grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Sauté onion and garlic in oil in skillet. Add clams and their juice, tomato paste, water, lemon juice, parsley, sugar, rosemary and thyme. Simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes. Serve over cooked pasta; sprinkle with cheese if desired. Makes 4 servings.

Beans Hawaiian

2 1-lb. cans Heinz Vegetarian Beans in Tomato Sauce

1 8-oz. can pineapple chunks, drained

1 - 2 Tbs. light brown sugar

1 ½ tsp. Mild Mustard

¼ tsp. salt

Dash ground cloves

Combine ingredients; pour into a 1-quart casserole. Bake, uncovered in 375'F. oven, 50 - 55 minutes or until beans are hot, stirring occasionally. Makes 4 - 6 servings (about 4 cups).

Peanut Puzzler Spread


1 cup peanut butter, smooth or chunky

3 Tbsp. Toasted sesame seeds

¼ cup honey

Mix together all ingredients and spread on bread or fruit. Makes about 1 ¼ cups.

Peanut Butter Cookies

1 box yellow cake mix

1 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup oil

1 egg (or egg substitute)

2 Tbsp. water

Mix all ingredients well. Form 1 1/2" balls and criss-cross with fork on a non-stick pan. Bake at 350 degrees 8-10 minutes.

Spanish Rice

3 Tbsp. oil 1 cup uncooked rice

1 can (11.5 oz.) tomato juice 1 pint salsa


Toast rice in oil until most of the rice changes color and begins to brown slightly. Add tomato juice and salsa. Stir. Cover and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Source: The Idea Door

Preparedness Quotes

"When faced with the choice to buy, consume, or engage in worldly things and activities, we all need to learn to say to one another, 'We can’t afford it, even though we want it!' or 'We can afford it, but we don’t need it—and we really don’t even want it!'" - Elder Robert D. Hales, April 2009 General Conference

"Many areas of the world have experienced difficult economic times. Businesses have failed, jobs have been lost, and investments have been jeopardized. We must make certain that those for whom we share responsibility do not go hungry or unclothed or unsheltered. When the priesthood of this Church works together as one in meeting these vexing conditions, near miracles take place.

"We urge all Latter-day Saints to be prudent in their planning, to be conservative in their living, and to avoid excessive or unnecessary debt."
- President Thomas S. Monson, October 2008 Priesthood Session, General Conference

"Avoid the philosophy that yesterday's luxuries have become today's necessities. They aren't necessities until we make them so. Many enter into long-term debt only to find that changes occur; people become ill or incapacitated, companies fail or downsize, jobs are lost, natural disasters befall us. For many reasons, payments on large amounts of debt can no longer be made. Our debt becomes as a Damocles sword hanging over our heads and threatening to destroy us."
- President Thomas S. Monson, April 2006 General Conference

“We have built grain storage and storehouses and stocked them with the necessities of life in the event of a disaster. But the real storehouse is the family storeroom. In words of revelation the Lord has said, ‘Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing’ (D&C 109:8.)”
President Gordon B. Hinckley

"We need to make both temporal and spiritual preparation for the events prophesied at the time of the Second Coming. And the preparation most likely to be neglected is the one less visible and more difficult--the spiritual. A 72-hour kit of temporal supplies may prove valuable for earthly challenges, but, as the foolish virgins learned to their sorrow, a 24-hour kit of spiritual preparation is of greater and more enduring value.

"We are living in the prophesied time 'when peace shall be taken from the earth' (D&C 1:35,) when 'all things shall be in commotion' and 'men's hearts shall fail them' (D&C 88:91.) There are many temporal causes of commotion, including wars and natural disasters, but an even greater cause of current 'commotion' is spiritual." Elder Dallin H. Oaks

“Every father and mother are the family’s store keepers. They should store whatever their family would like to have in case of an emergency…(and) God will sustain us through our trials.” President James E. Faust

“We live in a most exciting and challenging period in human history. As technology sweeps through every facet of our lives, changes are occurring so rapidly that it can be difficult for us to keep our lives in balance. To maintain some semblance of stability in our lives, it is essential that we plan for our future. I believe it is time, and perhaps with some urgency, to review the counsel we have received in dealing with our personal and family preparedness. We want to be found with oil in our lamps sufficient to endure to the end.”- Elder L. Tom Perry, Ensign, Nov. 1995

"Many more people could ride out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had their year's supply of food. . . and were debt-free. Today we find that many have followed this counsel in reverse: they have at least a year's supply of debt and are food free." President Thomas S. Monson

"Just as it is important to prepare ourselves spiritually, we must also prepare ourselves for our temporal needs. … We have been instructed for years to follow at least four requirements in preparing for that which is to come.

“First, gain an adequate education. Learn a trade or a profession to enable you to obtain steady employment that will provide remuneration sufficient to care for yourself and your family. …

“Second, live strictly within your income and save something for a rainy day. Incorporate in your lives the discipline of budgeting that which the Lord has blessed you with. As regularly as you pay your tithing, set aside an amount needed for future family requirements. …

“Third, avoid excessive debt. Necessary debt should be incurred only after careful, thoughtful prayer and after obtaining the best possible advice. We need the discipline to stay well within our ability to pay. …

“Fourth, acquire and store a reserve of food and supplies that will sustain life [if local laws permit such storage]. Obtain clothing and build a savings account on a sensible, well-planned basis that can serve well in times of emergency. As long as I can remember, we have been taught to prepare for the future and to obtain a year’s supply of necessities. I would guess that the years of plenty have almost universally caused us to set aside this counsel. I believe the time to disregard this counsel is over. With events in the world today, it must be considered with all seriousness.” - Elder L. Tom Perry, October 1995 General Conference

“Maintain a year's supply. The Lord has urged that his people save for the rainy days, prepare for the difficult times, and put away for emergencies, a year's supply or more of bare necessities so that when comes the flood, the earthquake, the famine, the hurricane, the storms of life, our families can be sustained through the dark days. How many of us have complied with this? We strive with the Lord, finding many excuses: We do not have room for storage. The food spoils. We do not have the funds to do it. We do not like these common foods. It is not needed -- there will always be someone to help in trouble. The government will come to the rescue. And some intend to obey but procrastinate.” - The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p.375

“All too often a family's spending is governed more by their yearning than by their earning. They somehow believe that their life will be better if they surround themselves with an abundance of things. All too often all they are left with is avoidable anxiety and distress” - Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

"Be prepared in all things against the day when tribulations and desolations are sent forth upon the wicked." D&C 29:8

"Too often we bask in our comfortable complacency and rationalize that the ravages of war, economic disaster, famine, and earthquake cannot happen here. Those who believe this are either not aquainted with the revelations of the Lord, or they do not believe them." President Ezra Taft Benson

"Fear not little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. . .Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." D&C 6:34, 36

"I believe that the Ten Virgins represent the people of the Church of Jesus Christ. . . They (five foolish) had the saving, exalting gospel, but it had not been made the center of their lives. They knew the way but gave only a small measure of loyalty and devotion.

"The foolish asked the others to share their oil, but spiritual preparedness cannot be shared in an instant. . . . This was not selfishness or unkindness. The kind of oil that is needed to illuminate the way and light up the darkness is not shareable. . . . In our lives the oil of preparedness is accumulated drop by drop in righteous living." - President Spencer W. Kimball

“We encourage families to have on hand this year’s supply; we say it over and over and over and repeat over and over the scripture of the Lord where he says, “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord and do not the things which I say?” How empty it is as they put their spirituality, so-called, into action and call him by his important names, but fail to do the things which he says." - President Spencer W. Kimball


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