Faith,Books,and Hope

I think these days everyone is concerned ,and should be! The past few days I've been busy stockpiling and reading up on some favorite books, these are just a few. I read my Bible daily Good or Bad times. I find it uplifting, and I know God will see us through. He says he will provide our needs, not our Wants or Greeds. I think we must do our part also.

I bought Carla Emery's book The Encyclopedia of Country Living, some yrs. back.It is Loaded with lots of valueable info. I bought The Kerr cookbook yrs. ago .I have other canning cookbooks that are great also.

We have our share of stress ,I was raised here and taught how to live off the land ,I know these ways and Love living them. My "Little Shadow" is the 6th Generation here and I am teaching her our ways. She is 3 now and Loves helping and learning, I think you have to make learning fun .Kids Love to garden sowing carrots is fun for them, also a pizza garden toms., herbs you would use on a pizza those type plants. If you have room a circle shape garden with plant planted into a slice of pizza is really fun. Just takes a sm. space. I think kids enjoys flower beds(gardening) also. Who doesn't Love fresh cut flowers.:o)Also canning is a fun way for kids to learn ,helping break beans etc. depends on their age as to what they can do. We have a little friends who has stayed with us durning the yrs. she is 12 and I Love to see her excitiment when we cook and serve foods she's helped can.

I was shocked to hear kids when ask where does a certain food come from and they give a grocery store name. I know its how we're raise, I didn't realize food could be bought in a tin can until I was an older child ,I thought it was all in a jar.lol

When I was a kid we ate alot of wild life or butchered our own meat. I've never been much of a meat eater ,never cared for the taste but was taught how to clean fish, chickens etc. We can buy a beef or hog and have it butchered. DS is a Meatcutter.I know to some of you that may sound "GROSS" but when it's a way of life you do it or do without.

I was taught to make my own cleaning products. That was L-O-N-G before Living green was the thing to do. I was taught how to cook over an open fire, As a kid I gathered wild greens with my Grandmother,(also Mom) some sweet memories and so Thankful they took time to teach me so much . They taught me how to use recipes to feed my Family example water gravy, bis.,cornbread (use water instead of milk) Its not something you'd make daily unless you had no choice.

They taught me to sew,mend,be saving.Waste Not want not. So much more they taught me.

I think in times like this if we put our Faith in God, do our part, read books and learn as much as possible , or find someone willing to teach, there is "HOPE" and This too shall pass!

I don't know it all, there's alot I want to learn, DH will be laid off 1 yr. next month. And All our needs has been meet this last yr. .For that we are VERY THANKFUL!:o)

Hope everyone has a Great week end.

Keep your Faith and Hope and things will turn around !

Blessins',Lib

Budget Meals

With the economy most folks are looking for ways to save money ,or to feed the Family for less.

One way to feed your Family for less is meatless meals. I do most of my cooking from scratch which saves a great deal on the budget. Beans are a good meat sub.have 1 or 2 meatless meals per wk. This is a meal of beans, pots. with onion,turnips, cornbread/bis.What my Family likes may not be the same yours like. It's never a good idea to cook something your Family doesn't like it. We grow or buy from Famers alot of our food.I can,dry, or freeze alot of our food. That helps a great deal. I stockpile which works well for us.I know its not for everyone. You can Google for ideas on what to fill your pantry with,what works for one doesn't work for all, you have to find what would work for your Family.

Another budget meal is to have breakfast for supper. Buy whats on sale. You can google your local grocery store wkly. ads if you don't get your local news paper. Coupons are good ,I use them now and then but canning,freezing,stock piling and having a couple discount grocery stores I don't use them wkly. Buy store brands, buy enough for one meal to see if your Family likes it so you want have a big supply of something that want be eat. Pasta is a budget friendly meal I use alot of whole wheat pasta .Pots. is a good deal you can cook them so many different ways ,you don't feel your eating the same thing day after day.Try different recipes.Google for money saving recipes. Have a gal. size freezer bag in your freezer to but left overs once its full make a pot of soup.Grow as food as you can, Know your local prices as much as possible so you will know if you're getting a good buy.Shop once a wk. not 2 or 3 times per wk. Google or check out frugal blogs for ideas.

Google for recipes for mixes (pancake etc.) When shopping make a list and stick to it, don't shop when hungry. Cook enough for 2 meals freeze one. Keep your pantry, fridge, freezer organized. Watch very careful for fridge waste ,use up left overs before they go to waste. Unless you make yourself aware of fridge waste you will be shocked how much waste you can have. Cook from scratch .There's lots of great websites for recipes.

Make your cleaning supplies you will have more money left to put toward your food budget.

keep your kitchen clean, dishes washed daily , if your sink is full of dishes it will make it easier to say .Lets eat out. If you stockpile when you restock move all the food you already have moved to the front of your shelves and put the new food in the back so the dates want run out.

One thing I've learned to do with this economy if I find steaks on sale ,I cook them slice them up use for stir fry , or cook onions, bell peppers, mushrooms and serve on a bun. Chicken can be done this way. Buy a whole chicken bake, with left overs pulled it bbq it .

What are some ways you stretch your food budget? I would Love to hear your ideas.

Have a great day!

Blessins',Lib