Ranch dressing mix can easily be made at home with just a few ingredients. It’s much cheaper and a better alternative to the packets from the grocery store, which can often be full of chemicals, preservatives and other unwanted fillers. Keep this mix on hand not only for making ranch dressing, but also for seasoning […]
Drying Sweet Basil in a Home Dehydrator
It was time to begin harvesting our sweet basil crop – this year I picked up a cheap dehydrator (not the brand I want for long-term use but it will work for now) to make preserving herbs a lot easier. Harvest basil in the morning when essential oils are the most concentrated in the leaves. […]
Get Prepared: Taking a Food Shortage One Month at a Time
The last two years have shown us major, nationwide droughts. That translates into rising food costs and the possibility of food shortages. Temporary layoffs and disabilities could also make it necessary to live out of your own pantry. And as always, there is the possibility of a major power outage lasting two or three weeks, […]
Sweet Basil Steamed Carrots
Fall produce is some of my favorite and the recipes are warm, sweet, spicy and full of flavor. This recipe combines the zest of fresh basil, with the sweet carrots glazed with maple syrup. So good my kids asked for thirds. Ingredients: 12 medium carrots in 1/8″ slices 4 Tbl unsalted butter 3 Tbl pure […]
How to Make Your Own Taco Seasoning Mix
Making your own taco seasoning is very easy and much more economical than buying the little packets from the grocery store. In addition, by learning to make your own mixes, you can avoid excessive chemicals, preservatives and fillers, as well as having the option to adjust the mix according to your family’s preferences and needs. […]
DIY: How to Can Cherries
Canning cherries at home is easy to do—a small batch can be finished in about an hour or two. The reward comes in both saving money (buying fresh cherries on sale is cheaper than buying canned cherries on sale) and in having delicious, healthy fruit to eat during the winter months. Here’s my tips and […]
Creamy Cayenne Carrots
This is one of my favorite ways to eat carrots. The sweet flavor of young carrots is such a nice contrast to the zest of the cayenne that it makes a really delicious side dish. Try this on a chilly fall day with carrots picked right from the garden where they will keep under a […]
Japanese Crunch Cabbage Salad
A yummy Japanese inspired crunch cabbage salad.
Get Prepared: Keep the Kitchen Convenient
At the Survival Spot, they have a list of the Top 100 Items to Disappear First During a National Disaster. High on their list is something I have failed to give much attention to, but I’m glad they have reminded me. If we are forced to live without electricity for several days or weeks, what […]
Sweet and Smokey Barbecue Ribs Recipe Using a Rib Rack
See how to enter a contest AND fabulous giveaway below.So anyone who knows me knows that I have a serious weakness. Barbecue. In fact, every birthday since I was old enough to have an opinion I’ve asked for just one dinner – Barbecue ribs. My favorite are juicy but not flabby, sweet and a little […]
Get Prepared: Protein Poisoning in a Survival Situation
Have you ever heard of protein poisoning? Me either! Protein poisoning is a condition that is not uncommon in long term survival situations. We’ve been talking about short and long term power outages, but when Survival Spot had vegetable oil high on its list of 100 Things That Disappear First in a National Emergency, I wondered […]
Get Prepared – How to Store Grains
Survival Spot has put together a list of the first one hundred items that disappear quickly during a national emergency. That might be as big as a major terrorist attack or natural disaster, or as small as a local ice storm that disrupts power for only a week. By being prepared, neither large nor small crises […]
