Preparing Wisely weekly discount....

My good friends at Preparing Wisely have just emailed me their wholesale specials for the next week, maybe longer.... Great bargains so don't miss out! You may want to call first to see if they still have some as they will go fast. If they don't , they can reorder.

Organic raisins, 5 lb $15
Organic raisins, 30 lb $65
Regular raisins, 30 lb $45

18 oz Agave Nectar regular $10, now $6.75


Raisins can be stored in mason jars vacuum sealed with the foodsaver mason jar attachment. They last for years. They can also be sealed in bags. I will definitely be taking advantage of this deal.

The Agave Nectar is now a basic staple in my house for sweetening. It can replace sugar 1 for 1. It tastes much like corn syrup so no after taste. It is a great alternative to sugar as it doesn't raise your blood sugar levels like sugar and is all natural made from the Agave plant. It is great on cereal, in recipes, with fruit, etc.


Thanks Tracey and Troy for these great deals! Check out their link to the right for all kinds of great deals! They have solar ovens, first aide items and containers also.

Car for sale?

As you all know, my car is no longer and I need a replacement. To me, there is nothing worse than car shopping so if by some chance out there someone has an expedition with under 50k miles and a 5.4 L engine they want to sell, email me asap. I would love to stay away from the car lots. Just checking.

Greek Chicken Pitas

Wish I had taken a picture of MY Greek Chicken Pitas before they were devoured but you will just have to settle for this copied image to get the idea. This dinner was great and my son wants to make sure that I give him credit for the meal. I picked him up from baseball at 5:30 with the intent to go home and put together a pasta dish, never one of his favorite choices. He told me he just felt like something refreshing, like Greek lemon potatoes. By the time we got home, it was already pushing 6 but I felt like going for mother of the year and indulging him in making a dinner he craved. (They usually suffer from"whatever mom feels like eating" meals). I had no idea what was going to go with the potatoes but they were peeled, tossed with ingredients and sent into the oven . I had 30 minutes to make something else to call dinner. The theme was now obviously Greek so here is what came next; it was delicious and well received.

I had some garlic Naan bread in the freezer, always a staple from Fresh & Easy. You can use whole wheat or regular or any type of flat bread. A regular pocket pita just wouldn't be the same. Just before you serve the meal, you want to heat up the bread in some olive oil on each side just until golden and a little bubbly crisp. Keep warm.

For the chicken, this is best if actually planned ahead of time but it worked:

1 lemon, squeezed
1/2 cup water
2 T. Greek Seasoning, I used McCormicks
1/2 tsp lemon-pepper seasoning

Put about 8 chicken tenders in the marinade and let sit for at least 15 minutes.
While marinating, make the following dressing:

Tzatziki Sauce

2/3 cup Greek yogurt or plain
1/2 cucumber, seeded and finely chopped
2 cloves minced garlic
2 T. finely chopped chives
2 T. fresh dill, chopped or 2 tsp. dried
1 T. lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

mix and let sit in fridge until ready to use


Now, to put together; Cook chicken in the skillet in all marinade on medium until no longer pink. Most of the marinade should be soaked up. You can also grill the chicken if you marinade it longer.

Slice chicken in small pieces, chop lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber. Put sauce , at least 2 Tb. on one side of golden Naan bread, layer chicken, lettuce, tomato,cucumber and feta if desired. Season if needed with pepper and salt. Yummy! You could also add some cooked millet if desired for added nutrition.

I had already blogged about the lemon potatoes so if you want to try those out also, check under the recipe label for "Greek for a day".

Thanks, Bryant for "helping" me with this delicious dinner.

A Public Thank You to my Angels

Just in case my guardian angels like to read my blog, I need to make a public thank you for their great work yesterday. My car was totalled, my big SUV. I was hit on one side and went head on into a light pole (my fault, women drivers you know). The car mangled, all windows blown out. The blessed angels were with me and my little Tate. These angels let me know before hand to leave the car seat in the middle just as I was about to relocate the car seat to the side for ease in strapping him, a little prompting that I have no doubt saved his life as that was the initial impact point. The same angels also reminded me that I had a 50 pound bucket of wheat in the back seat just behind Tate that would have been hurled forward right at us if not removed. A little bruised, a lot stiff and sore, but....we are here. We are so truly blessed.
I am so amazed at how wonderful my friends and family have been with endless calls, snacks and meals to make sure we are OK. Just a reminder to me that I need to be better at service for others. I now have great acts of random kindness to repay so watch out.

I will get back to blogging soon so check back in a few days, need a little time to work out the kinks in my neck. Thank you all. Thank you angels.

Uncommon Mothers

I was listening to talk radio the other day, a bad and depressing habit I have , and Mr. Hannity was interviewing a pro football coach. This coach was talking about his first day as a football player just drafted into to college ball. He was 17 and very excited, thinking that this was what life was all about and that he was IT. The coach then talked to these boys and told him words that he will never forget. He told them that "success in life is not enjoyed by the common man." He went on to say that only the uncommon man will be successful. He furthered on to say that while any common man can do the uncommon thing, it is the act of doing so that makes them uncommon.

I thought about these words for a long time. I thought about the role of a mother. Just about any common woman can have this title. However, only so many choose to have the title of the "Uncommon Mother." It is these mothers who don't settle for the easy road. The mothers who want to be better every day and want their children to be the best they can. These are like the kind of mother I had who never missed an important day or who made sure we had a hot dinner each night. The kind of mother who was always up and ready before we were and how somehow made her job look easy and enjoyed. The kind of mothers like you all who search blogs and form groups to learn how to be a nurse, seamstress, hairstylist, chef, activities chairman and school teacher.

I am so blessed to be surrounded by such uncommon women as you all. I get many, many emails from mothers with inspiring stories who don't settle for the easy road. What blessed children you all have. Some days it may be all we have to just get up and pour the cereal bowl. We all have those days and that is ok. But, we are making something beautiful with each effort we make. We create homes, minds, futures. We may not be appreciated now, but it doesn't really matter. We get thanked by the little things.

Some days I just want to quit this job, at least for a few minutes so that I could go try on a much needed dress without little helpers trying to get out from under the stall or work out without having to get up at 4:30 just for alone time. But, this little angel boy in the picture above reminds me daily what blessing I have to be his uncommon mother. He has only a very few words limited by Autism, but just last week as I came in the door, he called out in the sweetest voice ever heard , "Hi Mom." He said it one more time and then clapped for himself. We have worked for that day for a long time. Lots of hours of therapy, lots of prayers. He was so proud and I melted. It is all worth it. THEY are all worth it.

Maybe it was Valentines Day, but I am feeling sentimental about these little spirits entrusted to my care. What a great job I have.

For a little more inspiration on uncommon mothers, enjoy this clip:
The Invisible Woman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YU0aNAHXP0

Eat Naked segment....

Enlightened Homemaker Lingo (for the new enlightened homemakers)



To "EAT NAKED" is the act of eating food as God intended it. No preservatives, additives, nothing "fake".

To "GET NAKED" is the process of cleaning out your pantry and lifestyle of the offending ingredients. If you can't get the ingredients off a tree, from an animal, from the earth, it is out. Nothing from a laboratory. Nothing Blue. Simple. Delicious.



Now, I shall be starting a new segment on my blog called the "Eat Naked Segment" which will be to shed light on what may be in your pantry and why it just shouldn't be there. Just a little info to help us all understand how and why we need to get naked.



First one comes from a little discussion we had at our Mom's club discussion last night- Cream of Mushroom Soup.



In any church or organization cookbook you find a host of recipes containing this soup. Some simply don't know how to make an enchilada without it. But, if any of you have read about the dangers of MSG and their many disguises on my blog, Terri Hirnings or anywhere else, you can see from this label why we need to purge it from our shelves. If you haven't read, please do. You probably know that MSG or monosodium Glutamate is bad but it is also hidden under so many other names. In this label alone, there are 4 ingredients that can be MSG. Here are the ingredients:

Water
Mushrooms
Vegetable Oil (the bad kinds)
Modified Food Starch
Wheat Flour
Cream
Salt (way too much)
Dried Whey (Most often MSG)
Monosodium Glutamate (They don't even hide this one)
Soy Protein Concentrate (MSG form)
Yeast Extract (MSG)
Spice Extract
Dehydrated Garlic


Now, wouldn't it just be better to use a little flour, Milk, butter, garlic and mushrooms? MSG is in most packaged foods kids eat. It messes with their little developing brains. Get rid of it. In case you have missed some other MSG blogs, here is a list of hidden free glutamate ingredients:

Always found in:

Autolyzed yeast, calcium caseinate, gelatin, glutamate, glutamic acid, hydrolyzed soy protein, hydrolyzed corn gluten, monopotassium glutamate, monosodium glutamate, pea protein, plant protein extract, sodium caseinate, textured protein, yeast extract, yeast food and yeast nutrient.

May be in:

barley malt, bullion, broth, carrageenan, citric acid, enzymes, flavorings, malt extract, maltodextrin, natural flavorings, pectin, proteiase, soy protein, soy sauce, whey protein, and whey protein isolate.

Blaaahck. If you are overwhelmed, you can find snacks and food without it. Try Trader Joes, Fresh N Easy, Sprouts. Or, as always, make it. Always the best option.

FYI, when using spell check on this post, a good portion of the additives list weren't even recognizable by the dictionary. Another clue that we just shouldn't eat them.

Canister Labels

If you are like me and have a pantry full of cute matching canisters, here is the answer to your prayers; cute labels. I know you may have a sticker on them or even handwritten sharpie words, but if you want to jazz it up a bit, one of my blog friends is offering help. Her name is Terol and she is offering my bloggies a deal. You can get 10 labels, 3/4 inch, any legnth or color and a choice of fonts for $2.99. Her web address is http://www.terolswallwriting.blogspot.com/. If you would like to see some fonts she sent to me, email me and I will send you her ideas. I can't wait to get mine in the mail! Now, I won't use the powdered milk instead of gluten. Thanks Terol!

Carribean Sweet Potato Salad.

I don't have a picture of this delightful fresh dish because I ate it at a dinner party this weekend, so imagine how pretty it is. I loved it so much that I even went home with the left overs. I love sweet potatoes, as long as they are not whipped with marshmallows. This was a great twist on the nutritional powerhouse; the sweet potato. Thanks to our great hosts - Taya and Mike Greenwald for sharing this with me. Yum!

Caribbean Sweet Potato Salad

2 Large sweet potatoes, baked until done but still slightly firm

1 can corn, drained or fresh or frozen , about a pound.

1/4 cup diced red onions

Dressing:

1/4 cup lime juice

3 T dijon mustard

3 T brown sugar

1 T finely minced garlic

1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger

1/4 cup olive oil

1 small cucumber, peeled and diced into 1/2 inch pieces

1/2 cup chopped peanuts

Peel cooked sweet potato into 3/4 inch cubes. Add the corn and onion. Mix together the first 6 dressing ingredients. Toss dressing into vegetable mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste. Right before serving, add cucumbers and peanuts.

* I am going to try this roasting the sweet potatoes in olive oil first in cubes. We will see what this does to the texture. Either way, delicious!

Cutiepoops

These cloth diaper pockets are adorable! Anyone who is going that route or wants to, check out the link to the right for Cutiepoops. They make cloth diapers oh so stylish. It is the latests with all the babies!

Three more meals....ready, set, go!

Ok, here you go. As you can see, it is 9:24 on a Friday night. That's how exciting I am. To top it off, I just finished canning apples. That's what happens when the hubby works on Friday nights. No fun. But, I was productive. (for the new followers, these are for year supply recipes)

Recipe #4

Chicken with Raspberry or Peach Chipotle Glaze, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans


For glaze:
1/2 cup peach or raspberry jam
1/4 cup lime juice, fresh or bottled if for food storage only
1 canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, seeded and chopped (1 pepper, not 1 whole can)
*once you open the can, you can individually freeze the other peppers for later use
1 tsp adobo sauce from can of chilies
2 T chopped fresh cilantro, 1 T. dried if for food storage
4 chicken breasts or 10 tenders. For food storage, use 1 Q. of pressure canned chicken
(this recipe will not work with Costco canned chicken)

Mix jam, lime juice, Chile and heat over low heat until jam melts. Stirring occasionally. Stir in chopped cilantro and set aside. If using fresh chicken, sprinkle chicken with garlic, salt, pepper and cumin and rub in. Grill chicken and during last few minutes, glaze while barbecuing. If using canned chicken, season chicken lightly then put on skewers then glaze. BBQ to heat and for flavor.

Mashed Potatoes from Dried potato flakes
Green Beans from Cans (Yuck, only if I have to)

Recipe #5

BBQ Beef Sandwiches, Corn, Baked Beans

1 Qt. of Canned Beef
1 Bottle of favorite BBQ sauce
ingredients for hamburger bun recipe, basic flour, salt, yeast, etc.
2 Cans corn (I always keep frozen organic corn from Costco in the freezer but canned in case
no power)
1 Lg can of Baked Beans- Ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, Worchestershire sauce to flavor.

Recipe # 6

Chicken Curry Soup/ Bread

1/2 C. butter or 1/2 cup oil
1 C. onion, chopped or 1/2 cup dried, reconstituted
2 carrots, peeled and chopped or dried reconstituted
1 T. curry powder
6 Cups chicken broth
1/4 cup dried parsley
1/2 cup rice
2 C. chopped cooked chicken
1 C. half and half or 1. C. evaporated milk
10 oz peas, canned , fresh or freeze dried
Salt and Pepper to taste
Ultra Gel to thicken

Melt butter or heat oil in large pan. Add onions, carrots and curry powder. Cook over low heat until veggies are tender. Add broth, rice and parsley and simmer 25-39 minutes. Stir in cooked chicken, milk, peas and simmer until warm. Season with salt and pepper and thicken with Ultra Gel.



Any Bread or Muffin recipe to go with it

FYI

For those of you wanting the PETE containers but missed the deal, you can also get these at Preparing Wisely in Mesa (see link at right) along with all the wonderful grains to fill it with. I was there the other day and was impressed by how much great items they have added. XAgave syrup, freeze dried fruits and veggies, coconut oil, etc. Check them out! They will also be offering some wholesale items as specials each month at their cost. Stay tuned.....you will here all about here!

Also, be patient Anne, the 3 new meal ideas are coming, I am a little swamped over here today!

The Goodman Family Food Storage Book....

To be successful at anything in life, you first must have a plan. I love binders, I love the simple organization of knowing where information is and that it is at my fingertips. When figuring out how I wanted my food storage system to run and to run successfully, I started with plan. I started with figuring out the basic menu. I have decided to go with 20 meals X6 so I will have about 4 months of meals. I typed up that list and put it on page one, page two is breakfast meals. Then, I printed up recipes that I didn't know by heart.

Next step, the pantry list. There are about 4 pages of every ingredient needed and quantity broken down into groups. That way, I can keep and inventory of what I have and what I need. It is very simple and very clear of what to buy to be prepared.

If I use an item in the pantry, I simply write on the white board in the pantry the item I need to restock for the next trip to the store.

Simple. But....now that I have the plan, I can put it into action. It isn't just an idea anymore. I am getting there. I feel relieved. I also have my year supply of grains and beans and other long term storage items listed in the back of the book along with where in the house they are stocked. I have also listed down what household items I need, ie, detergents, hair color, etc.

I wish I had started this years ago. My pantry is so full and organized now and I am getting there. We are counseled to be prepared. So, we do it. We don't ask questions.

Tomorrow... 3 food storage recipes for the month.

oil order today....

I am placing another oil order today if anyone is interested. I highly recommend the exchange oil, works like the vicks vapor rub to stop coughs but without the petroleum jelly which isn't what you want on your body. It is a great thing to keep on hand, used mine last night on a little cougher. It is $25 which includes tax. The spice of life is also in, $34. Both of those oils are in stock so the order placed today will be in my hands in a few days. If you want recommendations on any other oils, let me know!

A litte Advertising....

Some items of business. First of all, for those of you storing salsa in your 3 month supply, Fry's has Pace 16 oz jars for $1 when you purchase ten participating items through tomorrow. I also bought mayo with this deal for I think $2. Great deal. I know buying the big container at Costco on the salsa is a better deal, however, when storing them for your 30 day supply, I also plan on worse case scenario. If we don't have power, opening a big container will spoil. That's my reasoning.


Next, for those of you patiently waiting for your oils, I have finally resolved why my order keeps getting "lost". Issues with my name spelling . They have assured me that I will get it this week. I have high hopes. I had also decided to stop selling because I hate multi marketing. However, they are now letting me sell as a store which means, no multi marketing junk to go with it. I will now happily sell to you all and will not be charging shipping. Email me anytime you would like oils or would like me to email you the oil price. You will get wholesale through me and will just pay sales tax, no shipping price.


Third, for any of you needing a great Valentines Day idea for your gun loving husbands, my gun loving husband is teaching an Introductory Combat Rifle Course. It will be a half day class teaching basic gun handling skills along with the fundamentals of marksmanship tailored to combat shooting. Your husbands will need to have their own rifle and ammo. The cost is $95 and each class is limited to 3-4 guys. Classes will be weekdays am beginning at 6:30 so they will done by lunch time. We both feel strongly that each home should have a firearm of some sort and the skills necessary to shoot with it. With the economy on the decline, crime goes up. As far as my husband's credentials; this is his job. He is a SWAT/Sniper team member who is also the lead instructor over the sniper unit. He knows what he is doing and loves his job. He wants all men or women if desired to learn the basics and have fun doing it. He will also teach advanced skills if desired. You can email me if you want info. I have now included my email address under my photo.

Thanks!