Today we are preparing to capitalize on the typical fall fare. With the Holidays around the corner and the first frost on the pumpkins, we are canning our yams and pumpkin in the pot for the cupboard.
I was lucky enough to take advantage of the new trend of "folk weddings" where mason jar glassware is all the rage. I see it as a way to stay up on my need for jars without spending the full $1 per jar. They think they are getting rid of junk left over and that suits me just fine.
My other project of late shall be pumpkin. The patches are full and all hallows eve only days away. That means I'll have my hands full of pumpkin opportunity very, very soon.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Meals-in-a-Jar are great
One of the things that we have come to realize is that all the convenience foods we would normally buy can be made at home for a fraction of the cost.
Some things like tomato products are not easily made at home and the processing/packaging cost exceed any savings we would realize by trying to do it at home.
We have recently purchased two books to help us and they are definitely at two separate levels. One has the label already prepared - you just need to copy onto labels and apply, and the other is more advanced but still super easy (see reading list for these books).
Testing the products after they have settled a bit has been fun and easy. We made up scrambled eggs and ham the other day and while the egg was somewhat granular, as if the egg had been cooked with too much milk and chopped finely, it was edible and tasty with some cheese overtop.
This was a dehydrated egg product and freeze-dried ham in a jar; quantity for 4 people at 2/3 c. servings. Easy and improvable by adding ingredients.
Today we bought new Russian weather cloaks from surplus for our packs. Each makes a lean-to type shelter or if snapped together a 2-person shelter. If we had 3-4 the shelter increases in size. My partner was impressed by my find and was adamant to "buy 2". Yea, EBay.
Some things like tomato products are not easily made at home and the processing/packaging cost exceed any savings we would realize by trying to do it at home.
We have recently purchased two books to help us and they are definitely at two separate levels. One has the label already prepared - you just need to copy onto labels and apply, and the other is more advanced but still super easy (see reading list for these books).
Testing the products after they have settled a bit has been fun and easy. We made up scrambled eggs and ham the other day and while the egg was somewhat granular, as if the egg had been cooked with too much milk and chopped finely, it was edible and tasty with some cheese overtop.
This was a dehydrated egg product and freeze-dried ham in a jar; quantity for 4 people at 2/3 c. servings. Easy and improvable by adding ingredients.
Today we bought new Russian weather cloaks from surplus for our packs. Each makes a lean-to type shelter or if snapped together a 2-person shelter. If we had 3-4 the shelter increases in size. My partner was impressed by my find and was adamant to "buy 2". Yea, EBay.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
In the beginning...
Much of why I am starting this is to openly converse to myself, not necessarily to any others, but if some are interested that is okay too.
Hearing me is less important than me being able to type what I think as I do so. I'm sure that those who have an internal dialog and little experior expression can identify with my need to get it out before an inappropriate accident occurs.
Today, I am beginning some thoughts about why my partner and I are attempting to be self-sufficient, educational and honest with our ability to cope with the unexpected trials life sends our way. Today, we face our realizations of utter turmoil and letting go of the ideals that our upbring has reinforced for more generations. We are embarking on the work smart, not harder philosophy. Doing what we know and can learn that is easy and has long-term effects will imbue our lives with confidence and security that no $20K Visa or Mastercard ccan do.
We have come to realize money is no answer and we have decided to live that way.
Hearing me is less important than me being able to type what I think as I do so. I'm sure that those who have an internal dialog and little experior expression can identify with my need to get it out before an inappropriate accident occurs.
Today, I am beginning some thoughts about why my partner and I are attempting to be self-sufficient, educational and honest with our ability to cope with the unexpected trials life sends our way. Today, we face our realizations of utter turmoil and letting go of the ideals that our upbring has reinforced for more generations. We are embarking on the work smart, not harder philosophy. Doing what we know and can learn that is easy and has long-term effects will imbue our lives with confidence and security that no $20K Visa or Mastercard ccan do.
We have come to realize money is no answer and we have decided to live that way.
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