TONS of great recipes link!

I have linked to the site many times, but this website seriously has a LOT of great recipes to use up your oats! Included on this link are granola bars, oatmeal scones, cookies, homemade oatmeal packets & even waffles!

72 Hour Kit Links

There are as many different ways to package up a 72 hour kit as there are types of families. I've been researching a LOT and found a bunch of helpful links to help give you some guidance, and also some sites of families who have put together their 72 hour kits!

American Red Cross
Homeland Security 72 hour kit recommendations
How Does She - 72 hour kits & links to some others too! LOVE the fact that she mentions ONLY packing warm clothing & that it can always be cut to be cooler clothes - especially for here in Cheyenne!
Food Storage & Survival - I liked the fact that she vacuum packed the clothing - I wouldn't have thought of that & it would make it much more compact in the bag!
72 Hour Kits - a family in Texas that went thru Hurricane Ike (has some info of things they wished they had done too - like small change!)
Self-Reliant Sisters - I really liked the idea of a rolling backpack (especially with the smaller kids), I thnk I'm going to keep an eye out at the goodwill for some!
Acte Gratuit - a family based in Japan during the tsunami, lots of information about what they wished they had on-hand during a disaster
Six Sisters Stuff


I found that last one the most informative! For our water supply, we are making sure to get some small water containers in case of a water line, but I didn't think about light/candles. Also, a hand crank for the garage door? I never would have thought about that either, but it would be VITAL depending on the moment! And a generator (even without storing the gas) as mentioned in the Texas family blog would be nice to have, but at the bottom of my list (maybe next year's tax return?).

Grocery Deals 2/22 - 2/28

To be honest, there isn't really any stocking up item that I'm excited about or plan on bulk shopping this week, besides the toothbrushes at King Soopers'. So I am going to use the grocery money this week to stock up on meat (chicken, etc.) and sugar items from Wal-Mart (brown sugar, powdered sugar & corn syrup) that I need more of for my food storage.

King Soopers’

English Cucumbers - $1
Bell Peppers - $1
Tyson Bacon - $3.50
Colorado Proud Milk - $1.97
Asparagus - $0.99/lb.
Broccoflower or Cauliflower - $0.99/lb.
Sweet Potatoes or Yams - $0.89/lb.
Kale Greens - $0.99
Iceburg Lettuce - $0.99
King Soopers Breads & Buns - $1
Jumbo Artichokes - $1.99
Colgate Toothpaste - $1
Kroger Deep Clean or Colgate Toothbrush - $1
Yoplait Yogurt - $0.60

Buy 10, Save $3, get a coupon to save $2 later
Cheetos/Fritos – $1.99
Cottonelle Bathroom Tissue (12 double rolls) - $6.69
Kraft BBQ Sauce - $0.89 each
Capri Sun or Kool-Aid Jammers - $1.99
Country Crock (45 oz.) - $2.99
Suave Professions or Kids Shampoo/Conditioner - $1.55
Dial, Tone, or Right Guard Body Wash - $3.29
Dial Liquid Hand Soap Refill - $3.29

Albertson’s
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts - $1.99/lb.
Strawberries (4 lb.) - $7.99 (not the best deal, but good
for this time of year)
Bar-S Hot Dogs - $1
Yoplait Yogurt - $0.60
Avocados - $0.79 each
Roma Tomatoes - $0.79/lb.
Anjou or Bosc Pears - $0.99/lb.
Red Delicious Pears - $0.99/lb.
Russet Potatoes - $2.99 (10 lb. bag)
Carrots (1 lb.) - $0.79 each
Yellow Onions (3 lb. bag) - $1.49

Buy 6, Save $3
Suave Body Wash - $1.50
Suave Deodorant - $1.50

Buy 10, Save $5
Propel Fitness Water - $0.50
Gatorade or G2 - $0.89
Doritos - $1.99
Quaker Granola Bars - $1.88

Safeway

Broccoli or Cauliflower - $0.99/lb.
Safeway Bread - $0.99 each
Fresh Express Salads - $1
Gatorade - $0.88

Blogs of Note - Food Storage Made Easy -

I remember when this blog first started, it's been amazing watching it expand and the women really delve into the emergency preparedness and food storage aspects! I love the baby steps program, because it takes the food storage and breaks it into small steps so you don't get overwhelmed with where to start. Lots of yummy recipes too! Check it out this weekend if you have a chance!

Food Storage Made Easy

Grocery Deals 2/15 - 2/21

Amazing produce deals all around (but mainly at King Sooper's, and AWESOME deals on your 3 month supply items at Albertson's!).

King Soopers’

Red Seedless Grapes - $0.99/lb.
Roma Tomatoes - $0.88/lb.
Boneless, Skinless, Chicken Breasts or Thighs - $1.99/lb.
Ocean Spray Juice Cocktail - $1.99
Large Eggs (1 dozen) - $1 each
Colgate Toothpaste, Toothbrush or Wisp MiniBrushes - $1
Gala Apples - $0.99/lb.
Cuties - $3.49 (3 lb. bag)
Heinz Ketchup - $1.99 (40 oz. bottle)
Yoplait Yogurt - $0.60 each
Grape Tomatoes - $1/lb.
Avocados - $1 each
Bosc or Anjou Pears - $0.89 each
Tri-Color Onions (3 lb. bag) - $1.99
Idaho Russet Potatoes - $1.99 (5 lb. bag)

Buy 10, Save $3 (and get a $2 coupon for next time)
Gatorade - $0.79 each
Cheetos/Fritos - $1.99
Kraft BBQ Sauce - $0.89
Pillsbury Grands Biscuits - $1.19 each
Country Crock (45 oz.) - $2.99
Dove or Degree Deodorant - $1.99 each
Suave Professions or Kids Shampoo/Conditioner - $1.55

Albertson’s

Knorr Rice or Pasta Side Dish - $1
* Buy 10, get 8 pc. Dark Meat/Fried Chicken or $0.99 rotisserie chicken
Russet Potatoes (10 lb. bag) - $2.99
Granny Smith or Red Delicious Apples - $0.99/lb.
Navel Oranges - $0.99/lb.
Green Bell Peppers - $0.69 each

Buy 6, Save $3
* Fruit Snacks - $1

Buy 10, Save $2 ($0.80 each)
* Chef Boyardee Pasta Jars – not a great deal, but for your 72 hour kits it’s a good one!)
* Hunt’s Pasta Sauce
* Trident Multipack Gum
* Mars Fun Size Candy Bars
* Hunt’s Ketchup
* Gulden’s Mustard
* Hunt’s BBQ Sauce
* Healthy Choice Soup
* Albertson’s Bread
* Blue Bonnet Margarine Quarters
* Orville Redenbacher 2-Step Popcorn (but only if it has 3 to a box/bag)
* Arrowhead Spring Water
* Foam Cups

Buy 4, Save $2
* Fritos/Cheetos/Sun Chips/Lays - $1.99


Safeway
Avocados - $0.99 each
Kellogg’s Cereal (only if you get a coupon) - $2.50
Chicken Thighs, or Drumsticks - $0.99/lb.
Powerade - $0.79 each
Red Bell Peppers - $0.99 each
Kiwi Fruit - $0.33 each
Naval Oranges - $0.99/lb.
Crisp Cucumbers - $0.79
* Fiday, Saturday, Sunday – bananas - $0.50/lb.

Oatmeal Recipes

There are so many awesome recipes out there that use oatmeal to share!!! Here are 25 recipes I found just in one afternoon! A lot I've tried and LOVE!!! If you can't figure out a couple that you love & can use then I don't know what to tell you! :)

Deals to Meals - Oatmeal Nutella Bars, Pumpkin Pie Breakfast Oatmeal, Oatmeal Apple Cake (just to name a few)

The Pioneer Woman - Oatmeal Crispies and Monster Cookies

The Prudent Homemaker - Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, and Chicken Fried Steak (minus the chicken that is ... try it, it's good!)

Everyday Food Storage - Sweet & Sour Meatballs, Meatloaf, and Oatmeal on the Go Bars.

Betty Crocker - Zucchini Oatmeal Muffins, Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Caramel Apple Crisp

Paula Deen - Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, Paula's Loaded Oatmeal Cookies, and Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Casserole

Sugarcrafter (a favorite of mine!) - Pumpkin Oat Muffins with Cinnamon-Streusel Topping, Pumpkin Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies, and Apple Crisp

Bake at 350 - Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich, and Whole Grain Pancake Mix

Bakerella - Cowgirl Cookies (a GREAT thing to take to your VT gals during Valentine's Day!),

Williams-Sonoma (another favorite for new & different recipes) - Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie bars, Oatmeal Bran Muffins with Raisins & Almonds, Oatmeal Jammy Bars, and Apricot Oatmeal Bars

Granola Bars

Another yummy recipe I found thru the self-reliant sisters website!

Granola Bars
by Alton Brown

8 oz. old-fashioned rolled oats, approximately 2 cups
1 1/2 oz raw sunflower seeds, approximately 1/2 cups
3 oz sliced almonds, approximately 1 cup
1 1/2 oz wheat germ, approximately 1/2 cup
6 oz honey, approximately 1/2 cup
1 3/4 oz dark brown sugar, approximately 1/4 cup packed
1 oz unsalted butter, plus extra for pan
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
6 1/2 oz chopped dried fruit, any combination of apricots, cherries or blueberries

Butter a 9 by 9-inch glass baking dish and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, and wheat germ onto a half-sheet pan. Place in the oven and toast for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.In the meantime, combine the honey, brown sugar, butter, extract and salt in a medium saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook until the brown sugar has completely dissolved.

Once the oat mixture is done, remove it from the oven and reduce the heat to 300 degrees F. Immediately add the oat mixture to the liquid mixture, add the dried fruit, and stir to combine.
Turn mixture out into the prepared baking dish and press down, evenly distributing the mixture in the dish and place in the oven to bake for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Honey Oatmeal Whole Wheat Bread

Our go-to family bread. I've never had this bread fail me before. It's absolutely fantastic!

Honey Oatmeal Whole Wheat Bread
3 c. very warm water (but not too hot)
1 T. instant or quick rise yeast
1/3 c. vegetable or canola oil
1/3 c. honey
1 T. salt
6 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 c. whole oats
1/4 c. gluten w/ vitamin C
Combine the first 5 ingredients and mix. Add 5 cups flour, oats, and gluten flour. Mix well. Continue to add the other 1 c. flour slowly until the dough forms a ball and scrapes the excess dough off the sides of the bowl. Let mix for 5-10 minutes. While mixing, preheat your oven to 100-125 degrees. Oil the counter surface & your hands (Use oil, NOT flour). Put your dough on the oiled surface & slice WITH A KNIFE into 2 large or 3 small even loaves. Pat down and roll into loaf shape, then put into greased bread pan. Turn OFF your oven, cover loaves LOOSELY with saran wrap, and put in warmed oven to rise till double (about 45-60 minutes, depending on humidity in the air). Remove loaves from oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Bake loaves for 25-30 minutes. Remove from pans immediately and place on a wire cooling rack.

Grocery Deals thru 2/14/2012

The ads aren't too great this week, but the milk is a fantastic price! And sugar (on sale Monday only), is the best deal around, stock up!

King Soopers
Colorado Proud Milk - $1.97 each (GREAT DEAL!!!)
Celery - $0.69/lb.
Yellow Onions - $0.69/lb.
Yoplait Yogurt - $0.60 each
Buy 15, Pay $0.67 each – Fuze Water, Smart Water, Powerade, Powerade Zero,
Speed Stick, Lady Speed Stick Deodorant - $2 each
Green Bell Peppers - $0.69 each
Whole Carrots - $0.69 each

Buy 4 or more, get money back for your next purchase (a catalina that will print at the end of the transaction)
Kroger Fruit Snacks - $1 each
7-Up Soft Drinks - $1 each
Hunt’s Pasta Sauce - $1 each
Welch’s Grape or Strawberry Spread - $2.50

Albertson’s
Boneless Pork Loin - $1.99/lb.
Bone in Split Chicken Breasts or Thighs - $0.99/lb.
Albertson’s Sour Cream - $1.29 each
Cameo Apples - $0.99/lb.
Roma Tomatoes - $0.99/lb.
Yellow Onions (3 lb. bag) - $1.49
Russet Potatoes (5 lb. bag) - $1.49
Fuze - $0.88 each
Hershey’s Baking Chips (buy 2, get $1 coupon for next purchase) - $2 each
Emerald Dry Roasted Peanuts (buy 2, get $1 coupon) - $3 each
Super Chill Soft Drinks - $2.50 (buy 4, get $2 coupon)

Safeway
Gala or Fuji Apples - $0.99/lb.
Kiwi Fruit - $0.33 each
D’ Angelo Pears - $0.99 each
Monday Only!!!
C & H Sugar - $1.99 ($0.50 a pound) – BEST DEAL!!!

Make your own Quaker Instant Oatmeal Packets!

This fantastic idea & recipe comes from one of the best food storage sites around! The Self-Reliant Sisters!!! :) They point out to check out the Quaker Oats site for more great recipes!

Instant Oatmeal Packets

Blend in your mixer ½ cup oats until powdery.
Into each of 10 zippered sandwich/snack size bags combine:

• ¼ cup quick or instant oats


• 2 TBSP powdered oats


• pinch of salt

To use: Empty packet into bowl, add 2/3 cup water and microwave for 1 ½ minutes or add ½ cup boiling water and stir until thick.Variations - to each packet add:

• Apple Cinnamon: 1 TBSP sugar, ¼ tsp cinnamon, 2 TBSP chopped, dried apples


• Raisins and brown sugar: 1 TBSP packed brown sugar, 1 TBSP raisins


• Wheat germ: 2 TBSP any kind of wheat germ


• Blueberries & Cream: 1 TBSP non-dairy creamer and 18 dried blueberries. (do not use powdered milk, it tends to go bad too quickly)

How to Store it? -Buckets-

My personal favorite way to store my food storage is with 5 gallon buckets. When you can with a #10 can, it comes out to be a little over a $1 for each can, which is money lost when I actually use the food storage. But the buckets come out to be just about the same price as the #10 can's, but it's a one time investment.

The only items that don't work for buckets are powdered milk & dried onions (which soak the smell thru the plastic and will stink over time!). We put buckets under beds, in closets and even as furniture! It is bulkier than the #10 cans, but saves me so much money! I also re-use my lids. It's not as tight of a seal, but it still works.

We bought out buckets from Industrial Container in SLC, but if you're interested in finding a way to have them delivered here in Cheyenne, Azure Standard is the only one I've found so far that comes here to town. Minimum $50 order at a time.

The church has information on how to package the food with dry ice to help prevent bugs and help the food store well.

Chocolate Chip Brown Sugar Oatmeal Pancakes

During these super cold months I have an overwhelming urge to make super yummy & hot breakfasts for my kids. This recipe is a variation from another site that my best friend Lacie did. It is so yummy-licious!

Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Pancakes
(makes about 10 pancakes - we make a triple batch)

Ingredients
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk
Directions
In a small bowl, combine the oats, flours, baking soda, salt and sugar. In another small bowl, beat the egg, oil and buttermilk. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Pour batter by 1/3 cupful onto a greased hot griddle. Turn when bubbles form on top; cook until the second side is golden brown.
Our personal variation - we like to add about 1/3 cup of chocolate chips per batch. So yummy & a fun breakfast treat!

Peanut Butter Cookies

Another yummy recipe from Kelly. Every batch of peanut butter cookies I've made comes out funny because of the elevation change, can't wait to try these! :)


Peanut butter cookies
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 large egg , beaten
1 teaspoon baking soda


Directions:
1Preheat oven to 350* and grease cookie sheets.
2Beat together peanut butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth.
3Add beaten egg and baking soda to peanut butter mixture and beat until well combined.
4Roll 1 teaspoon of dough into a ball and place on cookie sheet.
5Place dough balls one inch apart on cookie sheet and flatten with tines of fork making a cross pattern.
6Bake until puffed and a golden pale, about 10 minutes.
7Cool cookies on baking sheet about 2 minutes and then transfer with spatula to rack to cool.
8May be kept in air tight container at room temperature for 5 days. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Blogs of Note -Self-Reliant Sisters-

My good friend, Holly, started the first self-reliant sisters with some other gals in her ward. They have monthly meetings and they are absolutely wonderful! So much information, great ideas and monthly motivation for your food storage! Lisa works so hard on the blog and it is full of so many great ideas, inspiration and videos! Make sure to bookmark this site, I use it all the time for inspiration and ideas, you'll love it too!

Self-Reliant Sisters

Spaghetti Sauce

This awesome recipe is a great idea, especially with all that pasta on sale this week! Big thanks to Kelly Bandy for sharing it with all of us! :)

SPAGHETTI SAUCE
1 lb. ground meat
1 chopped onion
1 chopped green pepper
½ lb. sliced mushrooms
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
1 can tomatoes
1 tsp. beef bouillon
1 c. water (approx.)
1 tsp. fresh rosemary
1-2 tsp. dried or fresh basil
Dash of cinnamon
salt and pepper to taste.

Brown meat till crumbly and remove from pan. Drain all but a Tbsp of grease and add onion and green pepper. Saute 6-7 min. Add garlic and saute 1 min. more.Add ground beef and all remaining ingredients except for cinnamon, herbs, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for one hour till thick.Add herbs, cinnamon, salt and pepper.

Weekly Deals (02/01 - 02/07)

The great deal on canned tomatoes is still on this week at King Sooper's as well as a great deal on pasta at Albertsons'! The way we built up our pasta for our food storage was one sale at a time. Just make sure to pick up the 1 lb. bags or it's not a good deal! :) Happy Shopping!

King Soopers’
California Navel Oranges - $0.19 each
Large Avocados - $1 each
Broccoli Crowns or Caulliflower - $0.99/lb.
Bell Peppers - $1.25
Anjou or Bosc Pears - $0.89/lb.
2 lb. Kiwi Fruit - $2.99
5 lb. Yellow Onions - $1.99 (great deal!)
King Soopers’ Buns or Bread - $1
Bar S Hot Dogs or Bologna - $1
Kroger Cottage Cheese, Sour Cream or Dip - $1.34
Ocean Spray Juice Cocktail - $1.99
Cantalope - $0.49/lb.
Buy 10, Save $5
Sobe Juice, or Lifewater - $0.89
Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers - $0.99
Sunny D - $0.99
Ritz Crackers - $1.99
Nabisco Snack Crackers - $1.99
Philadelphia Cream Cheese - $1.49
Lays Kettle Cooked/Potato Chips - $1.99

Hunt’s Tomatoes or Paste - $0.49 each
Hormel Chili - $0.91 each (not the best deal, but if you need it)
Kleenex Facial Tissue - $0.99 each
Capri Suns - $1.67
Heinz Ketchup (40 oz.)- $1.79

Albertson’s
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts - $1.99/lb.
Kraft Cheese Singles - $1.79 each
Arrowhead Spring Water - $3.50 each (comes out to be 3 gallons each!)
Avocados - $0.68 each
Carlita Soft Tortillas (10 ct.) - $1 each
Fresh Anjou or Bosc Pears - $0.99/lb.
Braeburn or Cameo Apples - $1.29/lb.
Broccoli Bunch - $1.29/lb.
Old Orchard Apple Juice/other juices - $1.25
Buy 10, Save $5
Ragu Pasta Sauce - $0.99 each
Lays Potato Chips/Tostitos Chips - $1.99
American Beauty Pasta - $0.75 each (as long as you get the 16 oz. this is a good deal)
Wheat Thins - $0.99 each
Pepsi Soft Drinks - $1 each
Rotel Diced Tomatoes - $0.99 each

**Buy Orville Redenbacher’s Microwae Popcorn, get a 2nd free & 2 free 7-up/Root Bear/Sunkist Soft Drinks – this is a good deal w/o coupons. It can also help to save those 2-liters & then re-fill them with water for your water storage! Remember (2) 2-liter’s equals 1 gallon of water!


Safeway
Avocados - $0.88 each
Arrowhead Water (24 pk./16.9 oz.) - $3.50 each
Lay’s Potato Chips - $1.99 each
Rancher’s Reserve Beef Ribs - $0.99/lb.
Safeway Boneless, Skinless Chicken Wings (frozen) - $1.99 each
Safeway Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks - $1.29/lb.
Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce - $0.99
Crystal Geyser - $1 (hard plastic 1 gallon container works for food storage)
Gala or Fuji Apples - $1.49/lb.