The Abundant Life

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Please comment below if you are interested in bulk ordering a water filter, oxygen drops, and/or water jugs. We just need a headcount for now so we can have a quote, so please specify which items you are interested in and how many. Without a bulk discount, filters average $30, oxygen drops $15, and jugs $4.

FEMA recommends a three-day supply of water for each member of your household, with an estimate of a gallon of water, a day. We recommend 1 1/2 gal. water/person/day to allot for small hygiene needs and warmer weather. http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/water#0

How to Freeze Meat

An easy trick is to have your butcher wrap individual cuts, or layer small cuts (like 2-3 pieces of bacon) in between butcher paper and freezer wrapped as a whole. This saves you time and money (complimentary service at Smith's and Lee's), and correctly labels the meat and date. Shown here is two steaks of Tilapia.

Some items with a high fat count you can freeze whole, and slice as you need. This also keeps sausage in tight, formed patties.

For leaner meats and cuts, you can individually wrap them in zip-lock. Shown here is ground turkey in 1 lb. sections for a single entre for two people.

If you are uncertain as to the amount you'd like to freeze (or short on ziplocks), you can freeze all the meat in one bag and indent the portions with a wooden spoon, so as to break off easier after frozen. Shown here is a ground beef and bacon combination in 1/2 lb sections; that way we can break off one section for cheeseburgers, or two or three for meatloaf.

Rules to remember:

1. Always wash and sanitize hands, countertops, boards, and knives BEFORE and AFTER meat preparation.

2. Label the name and date you purchased the item.

There's a meatloaf that is better than steak? You better believe it. And here it is:

Meatloaf

Bacon wrapped, stuffed with Cheese and Onion

Serves: 4 • Prep: 20min • Cooking: 30-35 min • Oven: 400° F Requires: mixing bowl, glass baking dish or half baking sheet with parchment

STEP 1

In mixing bowl, mix the following thoroughly with your hands until the meat mixture can hold shape : 1 lb. raw hambuger

3⁄4 c. bread crumbs 3⁄4 ounce (1⁄2 package) of dry onion soup mix 3 Tbs. diced onion 2 eggs

STEP 2

On the parchment sheet or cutting board, pat down meat to form a rectangular patty. Layer the following on top: 2 ounces of Mozerella Cheese, sliced thinly 2-3 strips of bacon.

STEP 3

Gently roll the patty to form a spiral of cheese and bacon. Garnish with remaining bacon (1-2 strips) and cheese. Lay in oiled glass pan or ontop of parchment and baking sheet. NOTE: if you have to use foil, line the aluminum with cabbage or else the meat will stick to the foil will stick, tear, and be served with the meat. Cabbage won't change the flavor profile, or stick to the meat; so discard and don't serve.

STEP 4

Bake on the lowest rack for 30-35 min. at 400° For until the juices run yellow-clear and bubble.

PRICE BREAK-DOWN: $1.99 meat .30 egg .25 mix .20 bread .10 onion .30 cheese .90 bacon

total: $4.04 --- $1/person

Bread Crumbs:

Just so ya know.... BREADCRUMBS: This is what makes or breaks a meatloaf. For a more moist loaf, use less -- for a stiffer loaf, use more! You can purchase these in canisters (go for unseasoned), but can make your own.

For this recipe, simply crumble stale/dry bread: 3 slices, or 2 bread- sticks, or 6 crackers.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Fried Noodles (Low Mein-- Low Budget)

Two pans--loads of good vegis--and ramen!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Meal Planning/How to triple your budget

Sunday, December 26, 2010

72 Hour Kits: Tips, Coupons, and Lists

72 Hour Kits are personal emergency kits that can be taken with an individual in the event of evacuation. They contain essential hygiene, food, and survival supplies to last the person through 3 days (72 hours).

If it is simply not in your budget to do a complete kit now, then set aside what household items you have in possession into a grocery sack near an exit (like a closet or under the sofa). Include 2 blank checks (unsigned), 3 non-perishable food items, 3 water bottles, 1 change of clothing, hand wipes, duct tape, roe, a pocketknife, and copies of your birth and marriage certificates, and insurance(s)

DEALS AND COUPONS

The best site to visit: www.lifesecure.com with the best kits specialized to the top 10 emergency situations; also an on-line store for masks, self-heating meals, smoke kits, radios, QuikClot, lanterns, heatsheilds, id. bracelets, and more!

www.quakekare.com $7.95 (boxed 1 person kit) - $79.00 (4 person bucket kit)

www.cpr-savers.com $19.95 - $104.95

www.essentialpacks.com $39.99 - $99.99 (1-4 person kits)

www.redcrossstore.org $69.90

For Children:

www.child-identification-products.com A laminated card system for identifcation, dna/fingerprint cards, and contact information. $19.95 However, you can make one of your own for a few dollars and laminate it locally.

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The following coupons are courtesy of FREEBIES 2 DEALS, a site composed by a lady named Melea soley dedicated to coupons and freebies. The site is www.freebies2deals.com and includes hundreds and hundreds of on-line coupons for everyday household items, food, and other emergency preparation items.

Reach Floss $.97

Use the $1.00 off any Reach Floss Coupon

Total Cost FREE!

Right now at Wal-Mart, they have Planter's Snack Size Nut Pouches for $.48 and $.98! So hurry and print out the $1.00 off 1 Planters Nut Coupon that released this morning. It should let you print it twice. So in total, 2 Pouches of nuts for FREE! **The coupon will go fast!!

2nd Item: Johnson and Johnson First Aid To-Go Kits $.97 at Wal-Mart (Target is close to that price too)

Use the $3.00 off three Johnson & Johnson Red Cross Products Coupon from the 8-1-10 SS

Total Cost 3 for FREE!

3rd Item: Bumble Bee Premium Tuna Pouch $.64 at Wal-Mart

Use the $.55 off Bumble Bee Premium Tuna Pouch Coupon from the 9-12-10 SS

Total Cost $.14!

4th Item: Maruchan Instant Ramen $.33 each at Macey's (Should be close to same at Wal-Mart)

Smith's and all Kroger Affiliated stores have Flashlights that are priced around $1.19. Hurry and print out 2 copies of the $1.00 off Energizer Battery or Flaslight Coupon.

We should be able to grab Flashlights for only $.19! And it is perfect for our 72 Hour Kits!

Rayovac just reset their $1.00 off Coupon on their Facebook Page. And Wal-Mart has the smaller packs of Rayovac batteries for around $.97! Sometimes you can see them in Target's Dollar spot as well!

The following coupons are courtesy of http://print.coupons.com. Simply type in the address and enter your zip code at the prompt.

ave 50¢Progressowhen you buy any Progresso® Product (Excluding Soup and Broth)

Save $2.00Aleve®On Any Aleve® 80ct or larger

Save 50¢Nature Valleywhen you buy ONE BOX any flavor/variety

Save $.75GUM®On Any GUM® Flossers

Save $5.00Schick® Xtreme3®Any Schick® Xtreme3® AND Banana Boat® Product

Save $1.50Bayer® Aspirinon any Bayer® AM product

Save $1.00Garnier Nutritioniste™ON ONE (1) GARNIER MOISTURE RESCUE MOISTURIZER OR CLEANSER

LISTS

Note: if it simply not in your budget to make a complete kit, set aside what household items you have in possession into a grocery sack near an exit (like in a closet or under the sofa). Include 2 blank (unsigned) checks, 3 non-persible food items, 3 water bottles, 1 change of clothing, hand wipes, duct tape, rope, a pocketknife, and copies of your birth and marriage certificates, and insurance(s).