Okay, I've not mentioned the TYWKIWDBI blog before but that's because I just recently found it! How I could have missed this gem is beyond me (like I have 100 hours a day to do nothing but find great blogs), but miss it I did. However, now that I've found it I've been perusing the older entries and am just overwhelmed by it all. And impressed in a major way.
I found this blog by doing a Google search for information on New Madrid County, MO, where my paternal grandmother grew up and that search led me to this entry. It made such an impact on me that I started reading other entries. Now I'm hooked.
If you haven't read TYWKIWDBI, you should. Trust me.
Also, if you're interested in food storage, take a good look at Food Storage Depot. The site is well designed and the prices, though they might seem high, are pretty good. We do our food storage the old fashioned way by gathering a little here and a little there but for those that would rather have it done for them, Food Storage Depot is a great choice. By the way, I'm going to try and review their bread mix soon so watch Plain Ol' Food for that!
Showing posts with label preparedness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label preparedness. Show all posts
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Dehydrating ground beef - who knows, you might need it someday!
A comment I left to a particular entry on another blog (which I absolutely love!) prompted someone to contact me about dehydrating ground beef and her email reminded me that I was going to post about it so here it is, my dehydrating ground beef post.
I get a big thrill when I catch ground beef on sale for a great price. Stocking up on it without busting my budget is a nice treat but finding freezer space for it can be a problem. I try to keep beef on one shelf, poultry on another, fish on yet another, vegetables in the bin, etc. but hitting the ground beef mother lode wreaks havoc with that system!
So, a few years ago I found a great way around that - I dehydrate a good deal of the ground beef I buy. Yes Virginia, you can dehydrate ground meats! Dehydrated ground meat works very well for soups, stews, spaghetti sauce and such but don't count on it for burgers or loaves. You might or might not be able to shape it. Once the meat is rehydrated, it doesn't like to stay together well.
Five pounds of dehydrated ground beef can be stored for about a year in a one quart bag or container. Talk about saving space and money!
A lot of people use a dehydrator but I only have two of them and it takes so long to do it that way so I use another method. I don't remember where I read this method but I've used it for at least five years and it works beautifully. The first time I used this method a small amount of the meat went rancid but that's the only time that's happened. The key is to follow the process to remove the grease and to cook the meat enough that it reaches the "rock" stage. By the way, there are several methods of dehydrating ground meat so if this one doesn't suit your fancy, there are others that might.
I generally dehydrate 5 lbs at a time but you can do it with any quantity. I think I did just 1 lb the first time to see if we'd like it. We did like it and I've dehydrated much larger quantities since.
So, here's how I do it:
Put lean ground beef (the leaner the better since the fat is what makes it go bad) in a skillet and fry it until its cooked well. Drain the grease off, put the meat in a colander and rinse it under very hot water, stirring it with a fork or spoon to get the grease out. Rinse well. Shake the water out of the colander then put the meat on a paper or cloth towel and blot it dry.
After blotting, put the meat back into the skillet, which has since been cleaned well, and cook for about five more minutes. Drain any grease, rinse it in hot water, shake well, and blot it again. Cook it one more time, again in a clean skillet, drain, rinse, shake, and blot dry. Usually by this time the meat looks like tiny rocks and is very hard. If it isn't at that point yet, put the meat on cookie sheets and put in a 150 degree oven, stirring now and then, until it gets to that rock stage, usually a few hours. Once it's got that tiny rock look to it, it's finished.
Some people like to put seasonings and dried onions or peppers in the meat and you can add those after the last cooking, draining, rinsing, and drying. You can also add a little flour during the dehydrating process so that when you rehydrate the meat, it has gravy with it. I just add seasonings as I use the meat but you might want to try adding them before storing the meat in glass jars or containers with tight fitting lids. The meat should be stored in a fairly cool and dark place. I just keep it in the pantry but you can store it in the freezer if you like.
To use, just put the ground meat in hot water and let it sit for an hour or two. Once its softened I just use it as I normally would for soups and stews and such.
You can also dehydrate poultry, fish and other meats and I'll post more about those in the future.
It might sound complicated to dehydrate ground beef but it really isn't. It's a little time consuming but many preparedness activities are. The peace of mind in having 50 lbs. of preserved meat is worth it...
I get a big thrill when I catch ground beef on sale for a great price. Stocking up on it without busting my budget is a nice treat but finding freezer space for it can be a problem. I try to keep beef on one shelf, poultry on another, fish on yet another, vegetables in the bin, etc. but hitting the ground beef mother lode wreaks havoc with that system!
So, a few years ago I found a great way around that - I dehydrate a good deal of the ground beef I buy. Yes Virginia, you can dehydrate ground meats! Dehydrated ground meat works very well for soups, stews, spaghetti sauce and such but don't count on it for burgers or loaves. You might or might not be able to shape it. Once the meat is rehydrated, it doesn't like to stay together well.
Five pounds of dehydrated ground beef can be stored for about a year in a one quart bag or container. Talk about saving space and money!
A lot of people use a dehydrator but I only have two of them and it takes so long to do it that way so I use another method. I don't remember where I read this method but I've used it for at least five years and it works beautifully. The first time I used this method a small amount of the meat went rancid but that's the only time that's happened. The key is to follow the process to remove the grease and to cook the meat enough that it reaches the "rock" stage. By the way, there are several methods of dehydrating ground meat so if this one doesn't suit your fancy, there are others that might.
I generally dehydrate 5 lbs at a time but you can do it with any quantity. I think I did just 1 lb the first time to see if we'd like it. We did like it and I've dehydrated much larger quantities since.
So, here's how I do it:
Put lean ground beef (the leaner the better since the fat is what makes it go bad) in a skillet and fry it until its cooked well. Drain the grease off, put the meat in a colander and rinse it under very hot water, stirring it with a fork or spoon to get the grease out. Rinse well. Shake the water out of the colander then put the meat on a paper or cloth towel and blot it dry.
After blotting, put the meat back into the skillet, which has since been cleaned well, and cook for about five more minutes. Drain any grease, rinse it in hot water, shake well, and blot it again. Cook it one more time, again in a clean skillet, drain, rinse, shake, and blot dry. Usually by this time the meat looks like tiny rocks and is very hard. If it isn't at that point yet, put the meat on cookie sheets and put in a 150 degree oven, stirring now and then, until it gets to that rock stage, usually a few hours. Once it's got that tiny rock look to it, it's finished.
Some people like to put seasonings and dried onions or peppers in the meat and you can add those after the last cooking, draining, rinsing, and drying. You can also add a little flour during the dehydrating process so that when you rehydrate the meat, it has gravy with it. I just add seasonings as I use the meat but you might want to try adding them before storing the meat in glass jars or containers with tight fitting lids. The meat should be stored in a fairly cool and dark place. I just keep it in the pantry but you can store it in the freezer if you like.
To use, just put the ground meat in hot water and let it sit for an hour or two. Once its softened I just use it as I normally would for soups and stews and such.
You can also dehydrate poultry, fish and other meats and I'll post more about those in the future.
It might sound complicated to dehydrate ground beef but it really isn't. It's a little time consuming but many preparedness activities are. The peace of mind in having 50 lbs. of preserved meat is worth it...
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride
The state of the U.S. economy has a lot of people skittish and some say they're even afraid. A recent survey conducted by Decision Research shows that fear about our current economic state outweighs fear of terrorism.
I don't know that I'm afraid but I'm certainly concerned and more than just a tad angry about it all. However, being concerned, angry, or afraid doesn't solve the problems and doesn't make me feel any better. But what does make me feel better is knowing that YHWH is in control and I'm fairly prepared for recession and even a depression.
An article in The Modesto Bee has practical advice about saving during these tough times. The advice given is pretty standard stuff - cut back on expenses and save your money. Cook more and eat out less. Don't drive a gas guzzling vehicle. Buy used or sale clothing items. We've all heard this advice before yet most of us don't follow it.
Why?
I'm not sure but I think it's because most of us have a devil may care, play now pay later attitude about life in general and money in particular. When I was 20 I didn't worry about having money for retirement. I just assumed I'd have it. Don't ask me where or how I thought I'd get it because I don't know the answer to that. I was young, naive, married and raising children and with the day to day stresses, my future 40 or 50 years down the road simply wasn't a factor. It didn't dawn on me that someday I'd be approaching 50 and staring my golden years in the face. And now here I am.
It's taken me time and a lot of work but I have money saved and I don't have a lot of debt. I do have some old debt that I'm trying to pay off. I'm making dents in it a little at a time and it's working for me. It sure would have been a lot easier if I hadn't accrued the debt, though. If I'd saved/invested all the charges I incurred and all the money I've blown over the years I'd be quite comfortable right now and years down the road.
I have no credit cards and rarely use a debit card or check. I use cash for almost everything. To me, plastic just isn't money. It's something else, I'm not sure what, so I go to great effort to not even be around it. I know, there's something wrong with me to feel that way but a lot of Americans are like me. We simply can't handle credit.
If you're one of those, admit it now, cut up the cards, and get them all paid off. You know you should, you know you need to, and you probably know that your life will be a lot better in the long run if you do.
If you don't see plastic as something other as money, that's okay. You might be one of the lucky ones who could save quite a lot of money if you just quit using the cards. You might be one of the lucky ones who has plenty of money and just likes the convenience of credit cards. But at what price convenience? The credit card companies abuse you and you say, "More, more!" If that's okay with you, great. But if it isn't okay you know what to do about it.
If you aren't one of the lucky ones and credit helps you get through the month, like Dave Ramsey says, deliver pizzas, cut hair on the weekends, look into a paper route..just do what it takes to get those debts paid off and start saving money.
We don't know just where our economy is headed. It might tank and it might not. But there are some things you can do to prepare, even just a little.
Decrease your spending, increase your income, and increase your money reserves. Even if you can't increase your income, you can do the other two. You'll feel a lot better for it.
Don't expect the government to be there for you in the near future or your old age and don't just sit around wishing things would get better.
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
I don't know that I'm afraid but I'm certainly concerned and more than just a tad angry about it all. However, being concerned, angry, or afraid doesn't solve the problems and doesn't make me feel any better. But what does make me feel better is knowing that YHWH is in control and I'm fairly prepared for recession and even a depression.
An article in The Modesto Bee has practical advice about saving during these tough times. The advice given is pretty standard stuff - cut back on expenses and save your money. Cook more and eat out less. Don't drive a gas guzzling vehicle. Buy used or sale clothing items. We've all heard this advice before yet most of us don't follow it.
Why?
I'm not sure but I think it's because most of us have a devil may care, play now pay later attitude about life in general and money in particular. When I was 20 I didn't worry about having money for retirement. I just assumed I'd have it. Don't ask me where or how I thought I'd get it because I don't know the answer to that. I was young, naive, married and raising children and with the day to day stresses, my future 40 or 50 years down the road simply wasn't a factor. It didn't dawn on me that someday I'd be approaching 50 and staring my golden years in the face. And now here I am.
It's taken me time and a lot of work but I have money saved and I don't have a lot of debt. I do have some old debt that I'm trying to pay off. I'm making dents in it a little at a time and it's working for me. It sure would have been a lot easier if I hadn't accrued the debt, though. If I'd saved/invested all the charges I incurred and all the money I've blown over the years I'd be quite comfortable right now and years down the road.
I have no credit cards and rarely use a debit card or check. I use cash for almost everything. To me, plastic just isn't money. It's something else, I'm not sure what, so I go to great effort to not even be around it. I know, there's something wrong with me to feel that way but a lot of Americans are like me. We simply can't handle credit.
If you're one of those, admit it now, cut up the cards, and get them all paid off. You know you should, you know you need to, and you probably know that your life will be a lot better in the long run if you do.
If you don't see plastic as something other as money, that's okay. You might be one of the lucky ones who could save quite a lot of money if you just quit using the cards. You might be one of the lucky ones who has plenty of money and just likes the convenience of credit cards. But at what price convenience? The credit card companies abuse you and you say, "More, more!" If that's okay with you, great. But if it isn't okay you know what to do about it.
If you aren't one of the lucky ones and credit helps you get through the month, like Dave Ramsey says, deliver pizzas, cut hair on the weekends, look into a paper route..just do what it takes to get those debts paid off and start saving money.
We don't know just where our economy is headed. It might tank and it might not. But there are some things you can do to prepare, even just a little.
Decrease your spending, increase your income, and increase your money reserves. Even if you can't increase your income, you can do the other two. You'll feel a lot better for it.
Don't expect the government to be there for you in the near future or your old age and don't just sit around wishing things would get better.
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Being prepared in small, as well as large, ways
At 7:45 last night, during a minor thunderstorm, our power went out. Most of the businesses and homes around us were dark, too. We quickly went to the drawer where flashlights, batteries, and candles are kept and put them to use. The chiropractor next door came over to see if he could borrow a flashlight and was impressed that DH knew just where to find one. That led us into a conversation about preparedness and how important it is. We can't be prepared for everything life throws at us but we can be prepared for many things. Like the power going out for an hour and a half.
We aren't die hard survivalists (and I wouldn't call us survivalists at all) but we do believe in being prepared for some things we can anticipate. You know, things like sudden loss of livelihood, birth or death in the family, car repair, etc. We keep bug out boxes ready. We have a good supply of food that gets rotated every two to three months. We both take prescription medications and though we can't have a year's supply of it we do have extra. We also have items that might be useful for barter.
I don't think we're at all "weird" because we do these things. It makes sense to be as prepared as one can be. Blessedly, we've rarely had to rely on our stash of food, clothing, or trade items and when we have had to fall back on them it's been for something minor like a storm taking the power out for a few days or needing extra cash for an unexpected expense. When it's happened I've been grateful we had the forethought to prepare. But preparation can start in small ways.
Planning your grocery shopping trips is an easy way to help your family be prepared. Having on hand the food you need for a week or two definitely takes some planning, especially if you're doing it for a large family or on a budget. Running out of ingredients can be a real time and budget buster so try to prevent it! Sometimes shopping at one store makes more sense than going to several so figure out what works best for your family. We use a very simple method: scour the sales ads, stock up on food we eat that's at a great price (remembering to watch for unadvertised specials in the store), store the food properly, then plan menus that use that food, including leftovers. It's short and sweet and works for us.
Creating a weekly menu is another simple way to be prepared. If it saves you time, money, and stress, what a great thing! Planning for leftovers in your menu is an extension of menu planning. Don't throw the leftovers out and don't let them become a science fair project. Plan for their use and either freeze them or use them in another meal later in the week.
Reading this blog and others will help a beginner learn how to find sales, stock a pantry, and cook/eat from that pantry. If you haven't been prepared in larger ways and would like to learn more, here are a few of my favorite sites on the subject:
Emergency Essentials
Food Storage for $5 A Week - prices have definitely changed since this list was created but the principle is still valid
Provident Living
Ready.gov
Safely Gathered In - Fantastic step by step instructions in preparedness
Survival & Emergency Preparedness
You can start small, perhaps just putting together a good medical emergency kit and stashing away a few bucks and some non-perishable food in a safe place. Watch for sales on non-perishable nutritious food or non-edible supplies and stock a few items here and there. You needn't do it all at once and most of us don't have the money to do it all at once. But a little here and a little there can provide a better sense of security. And that's a very good thing, indeed.
We aren't die hard survivalists (and I wouldn't call us survivalists at all) but we do believe in being prepared for some things we can anticipate. You know, things like sudden loss of livelihood, birth or death in the family, car repair, etc. We keep bug out boxes ready. We have a good supply of food that gets rotated every two to three months. We both take prescription medications and though we can't have a year's supply of it we do have extra. We also have items that might be useful for barter.
I don't think we're at all "weird" because we do these things. It makes sense to be as prepared as one can be. Blessedly, we've rarely had to rely on our stash of food, clothing, or trade items and when we have had to fall back on them it's been for something minor like a storm taking the power out for a few days or needing extra cash for an unexpected expense. When it's happened I've been grateful we had the forethought to prepare. But preparation can start in small ways.
Planning your grocery shopping trips is an easy way to help your family be prepared. Having on hand the food you need for a week or two definitely takes some planning, especially if you're doing it for a large family or on a budget. Running out of ingredients can be a real time and budget buster so try to prevent it! Sometimes shopping at one store makes more sense than going to several so figure out what works best for your family. We use a very simple method: scour the sales ads, stock up on food we eat that's at a great price (remembering to watch for unadvertised specials in the store), store the food properly, then plan menus that use that food, including leftovers. It's short and sweet and works for us.
Creating a weekly menu is another simple way to be prepared. If it saves you time, money, and stress, what a great thing! Planning for leftovers in your menu is an extension of menu planning. Don't throw the leftovers out and don't let them become a science fair project. Plan for their use and either freeze them or use them in another meal later in the week.
Reading this blog and others will help a beginner learn how to find sales, stock a pantry, and cook/eat from that pantry. If you haven't been prepared in larger ways and would like to learn more, here are a few of my favorite sites on the subject:
Emergency Essentials
Food Storage for $5 A Week - prices have definitely changed since this list was created but the principle is still valid
Provident Living
Ready.gov
Safely Gathered In - Fantastic step by step instructions in preparedness
Survival & Emergency Preparedness
You can start small, perhaps just putting together a good medical emergency kit and stashing away a few bucks and some non-perishable food in a safe place. Watch for sales on non-perishable nutritious food or non-edible supplies and stock a few items here and there. You needn't do it all at once and most of us don't have the money to do it all at once. But a little here and a little there can provide a better sense of security. And that's a very good thing, indeed.
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