Self Reliance Tip #65- A Few Lessons Learned - July 31

Good Mornin'! What a crazy storm we had last night! It reminds me of my camping trip a few weeks ago. We were in northern Arizona near Springerville. It rained every day we were out there. If you ever want experience doing "preparedness laundry", go camping during monsoons in Arizona! What a mess! 

Here are a few lessons I learned:

#1 The hard part wasn't actually the laundry. The hard part was keeping my 4 year old out of the 6 inches of mud! I wish I would have had something like this with me:

http://www.lnt.com/product/clothes-drying/240997-34602/household-essentials-indoor-folding-drying-rack.html?utm_source=googleproductads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term={keyword} 

#2 Our potty situation had to change, so I had to come up with a Plan C potty. With the rain it was again quite a challenge. As long as we kept sprinkling baking soda after we were done, the smell wasn't terrible. One of my friends purchased one of these and she LOVED it. It has a place for fresh water to help "flush".There was no smell, emptying it was a snap and there was no left over bag to try and hide somewhere:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Century-Portable-Toilet-with-5-Gallon-Capacity-Holding-Tank/10966280 

#3 We were able to harvest water from the rain that really helped with the laundry. It is easy to run out of water fast. For most of the laundry I used one of these...and my soap nuts of course :) :

http://www.laundry-alternative.com/products/Wonderwash.html 

#4 I had never seen a solar oven like this before. Man it was awesome. This in my friend Norman, the Mormon, who's Stormin', and wants to be Foreman (that is how he introduced himself to me...he's a trip :) ). He made the BEST solar oven chicken...scratch that...the BEST CHICKEN I'VE EVER HAD! It was awesome! Here he tells you how to use this solar oven. Even with all the clouds, there were times he had enough sun to cook. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GU3rEMDkVc8 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpVoWcea6ls&feature=player_embedded 

Here is his blog:

http://simplesolarcooking.blogspot.com/ 

#5 I learned in one of my classes that if you suffer from acid reflux, try taking 2 capsules of rosemary (you know...one of the herbs hiding in your spice cabinet) 15 minutes before each meal. See what happens...you may spell RELIEF...and not from ROLAIDS

Well, hopefully you've been able to glean something from my adventures. 

And another thing....

 

Do you have vitamins stored? I found this website with really good prices for high quality vitamins. You want to look for "whole food" vitamins. The synthethesized vitamins are not made from natural sources and your body doesn't metabolize them the same way food is. These are the kind I get (the sugar free is made with xylitol and not aspartame):

http://www.vitacost.com/natures-plus-source-of-life-animal-parade-sugar-free-multi-vitamin-and-mineral-supplement 

 

Self Reliance Tip #64 - July 24 The 6 Elements of SR

Woah! Where does the time go?? My week long camping trip has knocked me off my schedule to the point that I forgot what day it was. So - we're back :).

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A big thanks to Sister Alissa for her help in getting information about the 20% off Honeyville Grain order last week! 

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Here's a quote for ya...I found it in a pamphlet with a 1980 date...I was like...two years old? 

"Home production and storage is a very necessary element of personal and family preparedness; however, it is not the only element, nor is it necessarily the most significant element. Some people have reacted to the theme of preparedness as if it were a doomsday matter. In reality, all six elements of personal and family preparedness are to be emphasized so that the Latter-day Saints may be better prepared to meed the ordinary, day-to-day requirements of successful living.

"Our emphasis on this subject is not grounds for crisis thinking or panic. Quite the contrary, personal and family preparedness should be a way of provident living, an orderly approach to using the resources, gifts, and talents the Lord shares with us. So the first step is to teach our people to be self-reliant and independent through proper preparation for daily life" (Victor L. Brown, Ensign, Nov 1976)

It doesn't matter how long ago these words were written, they are still true today. So, what exactly are the six elements of Personal and Family Preparedness he talked about?

• Literacy and Education
• Career Development
• Financial and Resource Management
• Home Production and Storage
• Physical Health
• Social-Emotional and Spiritual Strength

We want to be an industrious and independent people. The society we live in today teaches us to be dependent on someone else. "As long as I can prove that I am disabled (financially, physically etc.) in some way...someone else will take care of me." Don't get me wrong, there are those we need to help take care of as part of Christlike living; however, the adversary would have us think that we are "entitled" to whatever we want.

All of these elements are strictly important to self-reliance. I listened to a returned missionary speak this last Sunday. He said something related to gospel preparation that, in my opinion, relates to these six elements. He said, " Your first basketball game is not the time when you learn how to dribble and pass the ball." In other words, "prepare yourself well before you need to use these elements."

In most of our "tips" we focus on the Home Production and Storage. Remember, there is so much more to self-reliance. 

..... And another thing....

When was the last time you couldn't use your debit card to buy groceries? Mine? Today. When the electricity goes out at a grocery store, gas station or anywhere else you buy things, you can be put in a pickle fast if you don't have extra cash or checks on you. 

With the storms we've been having recently, it doesn't take much to loose electricity. 

So this is just another reminder to have a little saved for a rainy day...literally.

Self Reliance Tip #63 - Rocket Stove Rockin' - July 10

I found this article in the July "Ensign" and I loved it! Check it out!

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/07/facing-the-future-with-hope?lang=eng

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“Self-reliance is a product of our work and undergirds all other welfare practices. It is an essential element in our spiritual as well as our temporal well-being.” - President Thomas S. Monson
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So, I've been looking at alternative cooking again...I know. It is an obsession :). Once upon a time I mentioned these little rocket stoves. I made one and it wasn't very efficient, but gave me something to practice on. I popped some popcorn and even made tortillas on it. It wasn't an exact science, but it got the job done. It made so much soot on my pans, I really didn't want to play with it much. I don't really want to put a boiling soot lined pan in my blessed "Wonder Oven" and not be able to get the black out of the fabric. If you are looking to buy one, StoveTec is the way to go. They have it down to a science and they are very efficient. How is the soot problem? I dunno. I intend to find out. In the meantime, here are a few cooking videos to get you thinking about the endless possibilities of this cute little stove. Yummo!!! I don't see any soot on their pans either...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AfQXzA47qTc http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Un0Wc3M057M

The other thing I think is cool, is that it is more sturdy than home-made ones. They can last for years! The "deluxe" stove has the ability to control temperature. That is awesome! You can get the "deluxe" one here: http://www.stovetec.net/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=37

Here is a video on how they are made in the Chinese factory (you know, for those of you like me who can't help but have something else to put in your "gee whiz" file in your brain). However, the ones from the StoveTec website are supposed to be made in Oregon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQLC-UhqYZs

If you feel so inclined, you can purchase one for a family in a poverty stricken part of the world for $15...you can buy one for me... :)

http://www.stovetec.net/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=5

Have a great day!

.... And another thing... You're probably sick of hearing about Soap Nuts, but I wanted to tell you one more thing. Now that I've had a little more time to play with them. I do like them better without the seeds. It takes about 20 seconds to remove them with a nut cracker. Has anyone else practiced with them? If so, let me know what you think.

Self Reliance Tip #62 - Soap Nut Review July 3

Well, it is time for a "Soap Nuts" review. I love them. What other laundry detergent can give you four washes with the same scoop?

Pro's: They are a space saver They are a money saver They work great They can actually be used for several different things...not just laundry.

 Here are some things other people have used them for (mostly by making a "tea" with the nuts): mosquito repellent shampoo multi-purpose cleaner Soap Nut seeds can be planted to produce more trees! That is a self-reliance biggie! They also double as a fabric softener, but they are safe for cloth diapers. They don't fade clothes like commercial detergents do (this commercial shows you how...warning...extremely cheesy and not a well made commercial, but it does prove a few points... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIx-9nEi8kQ&feature=related

Con's: The little bag of soap nuts can get lost going from the washer to the dryer. If you like fragrance, this removes it all...that might be a "con" for some people who like super fragrant laundry. Fact: They smell a little like apple cider vinegar - they do NOT make the clothes smell like that. After I'd read several reviews, I must agree that they just smell "clean"...how exactly do you describe that? :)
Warm water washes work better than cold water - if you must do a cold water wash, soak your baggie of soap nuts in some water before doing the laundry.
Stains must still be pre-treated.

  Fiction: Some sources say that if the soap nuts still contain the seeds, they will stain an entire batch of clothes...this is false. I washed 5 loads before I even read that and nothing of the sort happened. "Soap nuts without the seed work better" - false - they work equally well. In my opinion, I think they want to remove the seeds to replant them, otherwise the seed would be wasted.

Personal experience: I have a towel that several months ago I had to use to clean up some oil. I have tried so many ways to get this towel "clean" again. I'd soaked it in soapy water, "simple green", washed it a million times etc etc with no luck. This towel was in the first "soap nuts" batch I did. Guess what...it came out clean! I can use this towel again instead of just throwing it back in the wash :). I was able to get a solid four (4) washes out of a baggie of five(5) soap nuts. I have been looking for more and more reasons to do laundry so that I could experiment some more! I even asked my kids to jump in the mud so I could keep doing laundry :) (ok, not really...but I almost did). This video has a few more laundry tips using soap nuts..

.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFkzIv6Pfl4&feature=related

I bought mine here (scroll down to "soap nuts":
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/bulkherb/s.html

If you're still not sure if you're ready to invest, get a small 4 oz bag and see if you like them. It is only $2.50.

...And another thing....
 From Heavenly Father's Medicine Cabinet....

Did your mother ever get after you for playing in the mud? She'd be proud of this kind of mud. It is called Bentonite Clay. I use bentonite clay all the time. Bentonite is a "magnetic" clay that is a drawing clay. It pulls junk from your skin. I have used it for bruises, acne, bug bites and slivers. Once I was in "the wilderness" far away from home. A funny looking caterpillar fell from a tree and landed on my sleeping bag. A natural reaction was to sweep him off with my hand. Several of his spikes stuck deep in my finger. It soon began to swell up and hurt like a mugga. When we got home, I wrapped it in a clay poultice. Within minutes it felt better. I did a few poultices that day and by the next day I could pull the spikes out. Ahhhhh! I love that stuff!

A Cheerful Attitude

"To be cheerful when others are in despair, to keep the faith when others falter, to be true even when we feel forsaken—all of these are deeply desired outcomes during the deliberate, divine tutorials which God gives to us—because He loves us. These learning experiences must not be misread as divine indifference. Instead, such tutorials are a part of the divine unfolding." --Neal A. Maxwell, "Be of Good Cheer", Ensign, Nov 1982, 66 Psalm 16:9, 11 There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today, Hymn #227

Self Reliance Tip #61 Soap Nut

You may consider me a bit of a "soap nut". It might have something to do with one of my hobbies of soap making. I have tried my hand at laundry detergent that is more natural, but economical. I think I have found something to make other "soap nuts" out there giggle with delight. Introducing...the soap nut. Is it a "nut"...not really. It is a berry that has been dried that has what is called "saponins" in it that make a bubbly froth. For a batch of clothes use five nuts for cold water and three nuts for hot water washes. Those three to five "nuts" are good for four to five batches! Sweetness!! I have read reviews on sites and blogs, and watched tons of videos. Here is a breakdown on how affordable they are:

http://www.soapnuts.pro/2009/09/01/soap-nuts-affordability/

...It gets better. The company NaturOli that is mentioned in the article has their "Soap Nuts" for more than twice the price that you can find them at Mountain Rose Herbs!! I love that place!! http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/bulkherb/s.html (scroll down to find soap nuts) Now it is time to try it. I have purchased some. I'll let you know how it goes. Wanna know what desert plants have saponins in them? You may have some in your back yard :) -

Native peoples used the root of this plant to wash everything...including their hair!! They would harvest the root, wash off the dirt, peel it, slice it and dry it. This was their bar soap. Just add water :). If you only take a few "tubers" (legs) of the roots, you can cover the remaining roots again with dirt and the plant will continue to grow. Even though soap nuts are a little more convenient at this point, it is good to know these yucca are out there :). Here is a video for more about the uses of yucca:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b08zwv2zHks&feature=related

Here is a video on how to make North American Yucca Bread...AWESOME!!! Watching this will make you thankful for your kitchen :).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynOEvuPI17E&feature=related

Until next time...my little soap nuts!

Self Reliance Tip #60 Casseroles For comfort

Last week I had the rare opportunity (if you could call it that) to watch my neighbor's house go down in flames. It was a crazy sight. At first, I was unsuspecting. I was walking my babysitter (not MY babysitter...but for my kids :) ) to her car and smelled something kind of like garbage burning, but it had a different smell. As I kept walking around the house, there it was. Flames were reaching at least 15 to 20 feet above the house. Tires on their brand new car swelled and burst sounding like a gun going off. Their neighbor's house and tree also caught fire, but luckily the Fire Department was able to put that out before it got too far into it. I haven't been able to get any solid answers as to what caused the fire. I haven't read any official report. I'm not trying to start a rumor here; however, it seemed to start in their small laundry room. It looked like the greatest damage happened by the hot water tank where I saw a pile of clothes. They lost everything, but no one was hurt and that is something to be thankful for.

I think now is a good time to remind our readers of the importance of fire prevention and evacuation. So... with the tradition in self-reliance, we need to plan ahead before we may be faced with a situation like this.
•When was the last time you checked the smoke detector's batteries in your home? •Are they working properly?
•Is there more than one way your family can escape your home?
•Do you have a family evacuation plan?
Here is a checklist that can help you in your efforts to be aware of potential fire hazards:
http://www.sparky.org/pdf/sparkychecklist.pdf
 
Here is an article on things that should be added to your evacuation plan: http://blog.oregonlive.com/themombeat/2011/12/do_you_have_a_fire_safety_plan.html

These are excellent things to talk about at a Family Home Evening or Family Night. They are just as important as any other topic to consider preparing for in implementing self-reliance.

&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&^&

... And another thing....
One of the best ways (I have found) to try and make our preparedness menu more enjoyable by the family is to take family favorite meals and alter them with "food storage friendly" ingredients. For instance lets take one of our favorite recipes:

Chicken Casserole (original recipe)
1 whole chicken
1 1/2 C rice
3 C Celery sliced
1 C chopped onions
1/2 C butter
1 C Mayo
3 cans Cr. of Chicken Soup
3 T lemon juice
Corn flakes
Boil whole chicken in salted water until inside temp reads 180 degrees. Debone, dice and save broth. Boil rice in broth. Mix all ingredients except butter and cornflakes. Place in 9x13 pan and top with cornflakes and melted butter (to make the cornflakes crunchy!! Yumm!) Best when refrigerated over night (minus the cornflakes...unless you like them soggy). Take out two hours before baking and bake at 350 for 30 to 45 minutes.

Chicken Casserole (food storage friendly)
1 pint jar canned chicken
1 1/2 C rice cooked
1/4 C dehydrated/freeze dried celery
1/8 C dehydrated onions
1 C Mayo
3 T lemon juice
1 tsp chicken bouillon (I use MSG free)
3 C water (divided)
2 T dehydrated milk
3 T flour
1/2 C butter canned
Cornflakes
Dice canned chicken

 Heat 1 1/2 C water to boiling. Add bouillon, celery and onion- let boil for a minute or so. Pour other 1 1/2 C in pint jar with flour and milk. Put the lid on and shake until all lumps are gone. Slowly add to boiling water to make a gravy. Add salt to desired flavor. Mix rest of ingredients except butter and cornflakes into a bowl. Spread mixture in 9x13 pan and cover with cornflakes and melted butter. Bake 350 for 30 - 45 min. They are slightly different, as is the flavor. The more I play with it the better I get.