Friday, July 3, 2009

Pasta Enchilada Soup

So, last week I called our Wal-mart to see if they price match Buy Low and they don't because it's not in their market area. The furthest north Wal-mart that will is in Lindon. I went to the Lindon and Orem stores and bought the few 12 oz. containers they had and heard that Buy Low's lines were insanely long so I didn't even try. Basically, I failed at my honey buying mission, but learned that in the future I will ignore the Buy Low sales, no matter how good (at least until they open one up here!).

Here are some great deals at Smith's for those of us shopping last minute for our BBQ's. (deals run through Tuesday, July 7)

Kroger ice cream 56 oz. 99cents!!
dozen eggs 99cents!
Beef hot dogs (all sizes & brands) 50% off
85% lean ground beef $1.89/lb
Charmin 12 double rolls $4.79
Breyers ice cream $1.99
Kraft mayo/miracle whip $1.97 (condiments are a good starting place for beginning your food storage)
hamburger & hotdog buns 10/$10 (can freeze the extras)

Albertson's has a couple deals worth stocking up on too:
Taco Bell taco shells Buy 15, 50cents each
Skippy Peanut Butter 15 oz 99cents with in-ad coupon!
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This recipe is so good. Everyone that tries it gets hooked and wants a copy. AND it's one of those meals I can throw together from my pantry. Even without the chicken or the condiments it is delicious.

PASTA ENCHILADA SOUP
3-16 oz cans chicken broth (48 oz total)
1-4.5 oz can chopped green chilies
2 cans cream-style corn
2-10 oz cans enchilada sauce
1 or 2-10 oz cans chicken
5 oz. vermicelli broken into 2" pieces
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp oregano

Combine broth, chilies, corn, and sauce in heavy pot.
Bring to a boil.
Add remaining ingredients.
Return to boil and simmer until the pasta is done.
Serve with crumbled fritos, shredded cheese, sour cream, olives... whatever you like!

*I use chicken broth powder- it takes much less space to store and is cheaper.
*Regular corn is okay to use instead of cream-style.
*Old El Paso has best flavor. Is worth the extra money in this recipe.
*Angel hair or thin spaghetti works okay too. For a gluten free meal, make it with gluten free corn pasta. I think it's even better!!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Blender Pancakes

I added some handy links in the right column for different sites about food storage including a food storage calculator.

If you want to shop the sales at lots of different stores but don't have the time or desire to drive around, you can price match advertised sales at Wal-mart. I have never had to show them the actual ad, but was told once that they were going to start requiring that you have the ads with you, so it's not a bad idea to stick the ads somewhere each week incase you want to do this.

That being said, here are some hot deals worthy of stocking up on:
Smiths> Chicken breasts still on sale for $1.89/lb
Smiths> Kraft BBQ sauce $0.69/18 oz.
Smiths> green seedless grapes $.99/lb (can freeze and throw in fruit smoothies, makes them juicy and delicious)
Harmons> Dreyers ice cream 2/$4
Harmons> Grandma Sycamore bread 3/$5

BEST DEAL of THE WEEK....
$1 for 12 oz honey at Buy Low grocery in Provo. I know it's a long drive, but we could order as a group. Let me know if you want some. I'll call Wal-mart and see if they'll price match that particular store. Honey at Costco has been about $2 per pound lately. This is the best deal I've seen in the last year. And, by the way, honey pretty much lasts forever. If it turns hard as a rock, you just need to gently heat it and it's back to its regular consistency.
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Here's the recipe for the blender pancakes just to get the ball rolling:

Whole Wheat Blender Pancakes
1 cup milk (or 1 cup water and 3 Tbs powdered milk)
1 cup wheat berries, uncooked (whole wheat, not ground)
2 eggs (or 2 Tbs powdered eggs and 1/4 cup water)
2 Tbs oil
2 tsp baking powder
2 Tbs honey, sugar or brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
In blender, combine milk and wheat. Blend 4-5 minutes, until smooth.
Add other ingredients and blend on low speed just until incorporated.
Bake on hot griddle. Makes 10 1/4 cup pancakes. Add frozen blueberries while on griddle to make this even yummier.

Homemade Syrup
Water
Brown Sugar
White Sugar
Mapeleine brand flavoring
Follow directions on the Mapeleine label, but instead of the two cups of sugar it calls for, use one cup sugar and one cup brown sugar for a richer flavor.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Group Ideas

Sorry, I've been a little out of it with a bum right shoulder that is especially irritated by a keyboard & mouse...
Here are a couple of deals that are stock-up-worthy if you can make it to Smith's today or tomorrow:
Barilla Pasta $1 for 16 oz.
Ground Turkey $1.99 for 1.25 lbs.
Dole Pineapple $$1 for 20 oz.
Aquafresh Toothpaste $1. (They have a great kids' pump if you're stuck on your brand)
Suave Deodorant $1. (I switched to this from Secret and like it)

Here is the list of ideas I had about what we might want to exchange ideas and/or meet about as a group. Anyone have any input??

recipe exchange (include nutrition info or points if you have it)
using coupons
how to use a pressure cooker
exchanging foods we have too much of or our family doesn't like
splitting/sharing cases, exchanging before food expires
cooking classes with long term foods (wheat, beans, rice, etc)
group orders for best price
Kitchen Kneads presentation (it's free and they will bring, grinders, solar ovens, etc)
sprouting
canning
taste testing long term stuff -like different types of dried milks, fruits & veggies, etc
tricks, shortcuts, etc -like using vinegar to make your own buttermilk

Why don't we start by putting together some of our favorite recipes that are almost entirely from our pantries (or that can be delicious even without the meat or the celery or whatever). Basically any simple recipe that you feel could come from your three month supply. Email them to me and I'll put together some kind of post sorted by food type once a month. (or if we get enough good recipes we could get together and assemble our own food storage recipe books using three ring binders and page protectors)

***If you are reading this blog because you clicked on the link in the newsletter, email Shelley that you want to join the group and I'll include you on all emails and invitations (you won't be required to come!). And I won't share your email with anyone.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

First post

I think it is difficult for most people to meet right now, but there's a lot of information that we can share in the meanwhile to help motivate one another. So, please post your comments and share your knowledge! This is meant to be a "group discussion".

This site is independent of any organizations or religions. These are OPINIONS that are not endorsed by anyone or any group. Information about places to shop and the prices they will charge is not provided as an advertisement for that company and there's always the chance that some information is incorrect. If that happens, I'm very sorry.

It's a good week to start your food storage by attending our stake's cannery appointment this Thursday, June 11 from 5-9pm. Please comment if you are going to attend and are willing to pick up something for someone who can't (example, I'd love to go, but hubby's out of town ;)).

Also, it is case lot sale time at Macey's. Here are some of the best buys:
29 oz pears or peaches are $.99
Chunk light tuna $.50
#10 can dehydrated whole eggs $18.99 (LOVE THESE!! and good price)
50 lb bag sugar $19 (25 lbs at cannery is $14.05, so this is a great deal!)

And just down the road at Smith's are some great deals to stock up on:
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts $1.89 per pound
Beef chuck roast or steak $1.79 per pound
85% lean ground beef $1.89 per pound
24 packs of Kroger water bottles are 4/$5.00 (great for those on "step 2")
Charmin double rolls 12 pack $5.99 (good price if you are hooked on Charmin!)

Visit http://providentliving.org/content/display/0,11666,8133-1-4352-1,00.html to view the cannery's price list. Remember if you find a better deal elsewhere or just can't be away from home to can your food at the cannery, we have a stake canner that I can get for you. You will need to buy the food (from cannery or elsewhere) and the cans, lids and labels from the cannery. You can visit the cannery for these items at any time, not just on our stake's assigned days.

Visit http://providentliving.org/ and click on the link at the bottom about "Family Home Storage: A new message" to read about the advice recently published in the Ensign. Just a recap- step one is to "gradually build a small supply of food that is part of your normal, daily diet until it is sufficient for three months". Step two is to store drinking water. Step three is to build a financial reserve and finally step four is to start working on long term foods such as wheat. So, don't get overwhelmed! Focus on the step you are on!

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