Home Made Oxygen Absorbers

     Well lets just say its good to be back! First off I'd like to post a couple of links this week which were awesome finds- first up, home made O2 absorbers.

     Oxygen absorbers basically suck out the O2 from the packaging which helps create a bacteria un-friendly environment and also prevents oxidization. This is pretty important to the average prepper, and excellent for those who want to make food storage last as long as possible.

     I haven't actually got a chance to make these yet, but they are high on my list of to-do's. One day I was curious to see if there were any way to make your own and I did a search and what do you know. Tightwadery wins again! HERE is the link where I found it. So 6 grams of iron filings ( link to a source is provided in the aforementioned thread) and 6 grams of sea salt is all it takes and viola! you are in business on the cheap. 

     Being someone who dehydrates I would love to have all the neat toys that Tammy does at Dehydrate2store.com but I couldn't see spending so much money on things that will eventually get used up like O2 absorbers. So here is a solution that I'm satisfied with. I can know that the absorber is fresh and new and no chance of accidental breaches that produce ineffective products or shortened lifespan. I can also regulate how much I use if I have a larger or smaller container as well.  I hope this is helpful for those like me with limited funds. 

     My plan is to use some white tissue paper cut in 1.5" squares, about 2-4 layers thick and scotch taped around the edges. We'll. see, I'll update when I have the chance to try it out.  

     Next post will be soon and its all about a free yes I said FREE book download site to old-timey ways of doing a lot of things that preppers will find fascinating, useful and informative. Till then!

-Jamie

I am BACK!

There have been times when I have lain awake in bed at night thinking about all the wonderful things I want to tell all of you folks!. It has been since what, September? November? I cant recall how long, but boy do I have lots of things to share with you! Will be announcing a Come Back giveaway here in this next week, so tell those you chat with to start checking back in, and keep their peepers peeled. Hope to have lots to put up, so we might have some marathon posting coming up in the next couple weeks, we'll see how things go time wise.

Let me also say a great big THANK YOU to all of you who kept checking in and those of you new subscribers- 60! I will try to comment back to those who have commented while I was away (yes I saw that I omitted the measurement for the cocoa on the chocolate cake -Whoops). Will try to have my first post up by Sunday, See you then!

Home Made Chocolate Cake

In general I'm not a baked goods person. I worked at a bakery in a grocery store in college. I didn't have a problem with gaining weight, however if I'd worked in the deli, I'd have been in trouble! I love to bake at home, but my little people aren't big enough to eat dozens of doughnuts and my husband likes his recipes on a monthly or longer cycle. Here is the recipe I use when I want a good chocolate cake. I am however looking at another recipe that may or may not make it on my recipe page. This is a Duncan Heinz copy cat I believe, or maybe Betty Crocker- anyhow a good representative for those who have the taste for (or husbands in my case) things store-bought. This is puzzle piece #3 for the Murder In Montana I'll be posting next week....Hee Heee. 

Chocolate Cake

2 c. sugar

1 3/4 c. flour 

3/4-1 c. cocoa ;-)
1 1/2 t. baking powder

1 1/2 t. baking soda

1 t. salt

2 eggs

1 c. milk

1/2 c. vegetable oil

3/4 - 1 c. boiling water

2 t. vanilla

Combine dry ingredients and mix well. Add wet ingredients  and beat 2- 5 minutes on medium.  Pour immediately into greased and floured pans and bake in preheated 350 degree oven. 9 X 13 pan = 35-40 minutes.

--Jamie

Home Made Chocolate Pudding

Today's recipe comes from Food.com and Chris from Kansas. With over 210 reviews this pudding is right on the mark. Another great standby when you feel like boycotting the store.

Thick Chocolate Pudding

1/3 c. sugar

1/4 c. cocoa

3 T. cornstarch

1/8 t. salt

2 c. milk (I like to use almond milk and because its cornstarch based it sets up fine)

1 t. vanilla

Easy peasy. Combine all except vanilla in pan over medium heat stirring till thick. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Use in recipes after cooling. Makes about 4 servings. I also add extra vanilla or sometimes even mint extract. YUMMY. Keep this recipe in mind this week it might come in handy to make some Murder In Montana!

--Jamie