Storage Recommendation of the Week

Buy the 1.69/lb chicken from Albertsons. Make a double recipe your favorite chicken recipe. Freeze the left overs.

Buy several of the Ultra Dawn from Albertsons for $1.

Here is a chicken recipe that I made up this summer to use the plentiful zucchini and still be pretty low carb (I'm trying to avoid carbs!) This would freeze just fine.

Chicken
Zucchini
Salsa
Cheddar, Jack, or Pepper Jack Cheese
Cream (optional)

Dice and cook chicken w/minced garlic. Slice and saute' zucchini in butter. Place a layer of zucchini in a casserole dish. Add a layer of chicken. Cover chicken with salsa and cheese and a little cream if you want. Repeat. Heat to melt cheese.

Albertsons this week 10/01/08

Looks like there are quite a few items worth mentioning.

Chicken breast or tenders - 1.69/lb
Grapes .88/lb
Hot pockets (8) or Paninis (6) 1.88 Each

Cereal, Soup, etc. (when you buy 10 items) 1.50 each
Trix, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, Cheerios, Kix, Total
Progesso Rich & Hearty Soups
Betty Crocker Cookie Pouch
Pillsbury Ready to back Cookies
Ghiradelli Baking Chocolate 4 oz
Green Giant Veggies 7-10 oz
Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks

Dawn Ultra Dishsoap $1

Buy one Get one Free (regular Price)
Pork Loin Chops (3.49 lb)
Boneless Pork Shoulder Ribs (3.99/lb)
Boneless Pork Sirloin (4.49)
Lean Ground Beef (4.99)
Sirloin Tip Roast (5.99)

Three Day Sale Thursday - Saturday
Beef Bone In Rib Eye 5.88
Extra Lean Ground Beef 1.99
Poink Loin Baby Back Ribs 3.99

Deals of the week - Sept 29

I read the paper and nothing seemed like a great deal to me this week. Maybe it is because I have a garage full of apples and other produce that I was able to harvest from our parents' homes in Rupert while we were there. Not to mention all the left over salads and BBQ. It makes me not think that I will ever need to grocery shop again. Or maybe the news is just getting to me and making me want to quit spending now.

One suggestion I do have for the week is that IF you have a garden and it has treated you well this season, don't quit on it. That is my tendancy this time of year. I just get tired of it. If this is you, look for someone to share the wealth with if you have canned, eaten, frozen all you can. If you need help, comment here or email me and I will find someone for you. :)

So in looking in the paper for food storage type items, I did see the following:
Fred Meyer
Whole chickens .79/lb
pumpkins (cook and freeze for pies later) .18/lb
Pillsbury cake mixes .89
Pastaroni $1

Remember the last day for the Albertons ad is tomorrow - Tuesday. There were some pretty good deals there. And don't forget Winco.

I am also considering putting together an order for dry goods such as beans, sugar, popcorn, etc. I have a contact in Rupert that can get us some good deals there. Potatoes are another possibility if there is interest. Please make a comment here and tell me if and what you are interested in.

Free TV

I always like a good deal. And I love my tv shows. I do not have USA network anymore, but I can watch my favorite shows online, for free. Also, if you missed an episode, didn't DVR/Tevo it, or what ever, almost everything is available online. Here some links if you feel like being entertained and wasting time.

http://www.usanetwork.com/fullepisodes/

http://www.nbc.com/Video/library/

http://community.abcfamily.go.com/watch

http://abc.go.com/

http://www.cbs.com/hd/

Ok, here is something you can feel a little better about. BYUTV, PBS, and Discovery Channel.

http://www.byutv.org/streaming/

http://video.discovery.com/

http://www.pbs.org/video/

Robert Smith

Here is another way to add to your food storage. Robert Smith has been selling food storage items for quite a few years. If you would like to be on his email distribution list or have a question for him, email him at rsmith20055@msn.com

Sept 08 - Food Storage Items
Red Feather Canned Butter:
We have found a canned butter that is
imported from New Zealand with an
indefinite shelf life, no refrigeration is
necessary!!
It is a smooth, creamy, high-quality
butter. And the best part (besides the
great taste), is the list of ingredients;
Pasteurized Cream and Salt – that’s
it!!
___4.35 12 oz can
___99.05 18 lb case of 24 cans
Red Feather Canned Cheddar
Cheese:
We have found a canned cheese that
is imported from Australia with a 10 -
15 year minimum shelf life, no
refrigeration is necessary!!
This is real cheese that can be
grated like any other cheese. It
melts, it can be sliced into thin
slices for sandwiches, pizzas,
lasagna or meat loaf – it’s great
for grilled cheese sandwiches,
fantastic omelets or just by the
slice.
___2.65 7.9 oz can
___91.25 18 lb case of 36 cans
Yoder's Canned Bacon:
Each can is 9 ounces of fully
cooked and drained bacon. Each
can is the highest quality fresh
#1 bacon slices. Cured, cooked
and then hand wrapped, rolled
and packed in the U.S.
With a shelf life in excess of 10
years, this bacon makes a perfect
addition to your food storage
program and it is great for every
day use.
___9.50 9 oz can
___108.90 6.75 lb case of 12
cans
Yoder's Canned Meats:
Made in Ohio as an Amish family
tradition for more than 40 years.
Each case contains 12/28 oz cans
- Fully Cooked, Low fat content,
10+ years non-refrigerated shelf
life, and 100% US Raised and US
Canned Meats.
Beef Chunks
___6.85 28 oz can
___78.35 21 lb case of 12 cans
Chicken Chunks
___6.85 28 oz can
___78.35 21 lb case of 12 cans
Pork Chunks
___6.85 28 oz can
___78.35 21 lb case of 12 cans
Turkey Chunks
___6.85 28 oz can
___78.35 21 lb case of 12 cans
Pork Sausage
___6.85 28 oz can
___78.35 21 lb case of 12 cans
Ground Beef
___6.85 28 oz can
___78.35 21 lb case of 12 cans
MOUNTAIN HOUSE FREEZE
DRIED PRODUCTS:
If you want to eat or store the best...
look no further than the Mountain
House® brand. Mountain House®
Freeze dried food products are
surprisingly delicious, generally require
no cooking (just add water) and taste
as fresh years from now as they do
today. Great for Emergency
Preparedness, camping, hiking and
backpacking meals, 72 hour kits,
comfort food and sick days. Great
tasting, High Quality, Light Weight,
Easy to Prepare, hearty servings and
long shelf life...10+ years.
SINGLE SERVING:
Rice & Chicken
___4.54 each
___26.24 case of 6
Spaghetti
___4.54 each
___26.24 case of 6
Beef Stew
___4.54 each
___26.24 case of 6
Beef Stroganoff
___4.54 each
___26.24 case of 6
Chicken Teriyaki
___4.54 each
___26.24 case of 6
Lasagna
___4.54 each
___26.24 case of 6
Chili Mac w/Beef
___4.54 each
___26.24 case of 6
Sweet & Sour Pork
___4.54 each
___26.24 case of 6
Pasta Primavera
___4.54 each
___26.24 case of 6
Mexican Chicken w/Rice
___4.54 each
___26.24 case of 6
DOUBLE SERVING:
Rice & Chicken
___5.11 each
___29.57 case of 6
Spaghetti
___4.69 each
___27.14 case of 6
Hearty Stew w/Beef
___5.11 each
___29.57 case of 6
Beef Stroganoff
___5.11 each
___29.57 case of 6
Chicken Teriyaki
___5.98 each
___34.59 case of 6
Lasagna
___5.11 each
___29.57 case of 6
Chili Mac w/Beef
___4.69 each
___27.14 case of 6
Sweet & Sour Pork
___5.98 each
___34.59 case of 6
Pasta Primavera
___5.11 each
___29.57 case of 6
Mexican Chicken w/Rice
___5.54 each
___32.08 case of 6
Chicken Stew
___5.54 each
___32.08 case of 6
Chicken ala King
___5.98 each
___34.59 case of 6
Chicken Polynesian
___5.98 each
___34.59 case of 6
Beef Teriyaki
___5.98 each
___34.59 case of 6
Noodles & Chicken
___5.11 each
___29.57 case of 6
Wild Rice & Mushroom Pilaf
___5.11 each
___29.57 case of 6
Turkey Tetrazzini
___5.11 each
___29.57 case of 6
Vegetable Lasagna
___5.11 each
___29.57 case of 6
Oriental Style Spicy Chicken
___5.98 each
___34.59 case of 6
Seafood Chowder
___5.54 each
___32.08 case of 6
Jamaican Style Chicken w/Rice
___5.54 each
___32.08 case of 6
Macaroni & Cheese
___5.11 each
___29.57 case of 6
Potatoes & Cheddar
___4.33 each
___25.03 case of 6
Potatoes & Beef
___4.69 each
___27.14 case of 6
Grilled Chicken Breast w/Mashed
Potatoes
___6.85 each
___39.61 case of 6
FOUR-SERVING:
Spaghetti
___8.68 each
___25.11 case of 3
Hearty Stew w/Beef
___8.68 each
___25.11 case of 3
Beef Stroganoff
___8.68 each
___25.11 case of 3
Lasagna
___8.68 each
___25.11 case of 3
BREAKFAST:
Scrambled Eggs
___3.43 each
___19.85 case of 6
Scrambled Eggs w/Ham
___3.88 each
___22.44 case of 6
Scrambled Eggs w/Bacon
___3.88 each
___22.44 case of 6
Granola w/Blueberries
___3.39 each
___19.60 case of 6
VEGETABLES:
Peas
___2.45 each
___14.18 case of 6
Green Beans
___2.45 each
___14.18 case of 6
Corn
___2.45 each
___14.18 case of 6
SNACKS & DESSERTS:
Neapolitan Ice Cream Bar
___1.75 each
___20.25 case of 12
Ice Cream Sandwich
___1.68 each
___19.44 case of 12
Raspberry Crumble
___5.11 each
___29.57 case of 6
Blueberry Cheesecake
___5.11 each
___29.57 case of 6
Chocolate Strawberry Crunch
___5.11 each
___29.57 case of 6
Organic Strawberries
___3.02 each
___23.33 case of 8
Organic Mangos
___3.02 each
___23.33 case of 8
Organic Apples
___3.02 each
___23.33 case of 8
Organic Bananas
___3.02 each
___23.33 case of 8
---------------------------------------
Please write how many you want
next to the items.
---------------------------------------
Thank you for your order!
Name ____________________
Phone ____________________
Sub Total $____________
6% Sales Tax $__________
Check Amt. $____________

Build a Reserve - Avoid Debt

I have been thinking a little about debt and savings. The latest statistics show that our national savings rate is actually in the negative for the first time ever. See this article for an interesting perspective on this topic. http://www.fool.com/personal-finance/retirement/2007/02/02/our-savings-rate-is-abysmal.aspx

Here's what our prophets have counseled.

President Heber J. Grant said, “From my earliest recollections, from the days of Brigham Young until now, I have listened to men standing in the pulpit … urging the people not to run into debt; and I believe that the great majority of all our troubles today is caused through the failure to carry out that counsel.”

President Ezra Taft Benson said, “Do not leave yourself or your family unprotected against financial storms. … Build up savings.”

President Harold B. Lee taught, “Not only should we teach men to get out of debt but we should teach them likewise to stay out of debt.”

President Gordon B. Hinckley declared: “Many of our people are living on the very edge of their incomes. In fact, some are living on borrowings. …I urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt to the extent possible. Pay off debt as quickly as you can, and free yourselves from bondage.”

President Gordon B. Hinckley has taught: “Set your houses in order. If you have paid your debts, if you have a reserve, even though it be small, then should storms howl about your head, you will have shelter for your wives and children and peace in your hearts” ("To the Boys and to the Men," Ensign, Nov. 1998, 54).

"We encourage you wherever you may live in the world to prepare for adversity by looking to the condition of your finances. We urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt. . . . If you have paid your debts and have a financial reserve, even though it be small, you and your family will feel more secure and enjoy greater peace in your hearts."—The First Presidency, All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Finances, Feb. 2007, 1

Food Storage at Costco.com

Here are a couple links for food storage that might be interesting to you. This first link is for basically a 7 day gourmet emergency food kit. I calculated it to be $12.85 per day or average 4.25 per entree. This would be great to use for your family 72 hour kit. The shelf life is 5 years. From the little bit I have researched online, it seems a little expensive, but it might be better than the MRE's I was looking at. If any of you know more than I do about this, please let me know.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?whse=BC&topnav=&prodid=11192506&ec=BC-EC17036-ProdID11219554&pos=0F&lang=en-US

This link is to a product offered by Costco that is more of a long term food storage. The meals are much more economical that the one listed above. The average cost per meal for this one is .37 per entree. The shelf life is 20 years. I think it sounds pretty reasonable. But it appears to be definately long term storage, not the store what you eat kind of meals.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11219554

Health Related Items

While I was at Costco today I noticed a couple of items I would like to share. First they are having a company come in and do Allergy Testing for $10 this coming Saturday, Aug. 16th. I'm am considering doing this as I suffer from allergies but have never been tested. For $10 it would be nice to know some of what sets me off. If you are interested call 323-8707.

Also Costco has a prescription program. If you are not covered by any prescription coverage, they have a program which would discount the amount you would have to pay for your prescriptions. It varies by drug. Call 1-800-806-0129 for more info.

Next, some of my thoughts on Health Insurance:
Being self employed means that we buy our own health insurance. I had thought that once I was through with school, I would get a full time job, with benefits. It turns out that I am not ready to leave my kids full time. So, my part time job does not have benefits, yet... I have been covered by BSU insurance for the past three years while I have been in school. So, it was time to go insurance shopping. What I found was interesting. The insurance was less expensive now than it was 3 years ago for us. I think that many people do not want to be self employed due to the health insurance issue. I think this is not necessarily as big of an issue as it used to be. But being covered is important.

If you are not covered by health insurance, find a way to get coverage. I think that you cannot afford to not have insurance coverage. We have been counseled by our church leaders that insurance is important. "Appropriately involve yourself in an insurance program. It is most important to have sufficient medical and adequate life insurance. "Marvin J Ashton, One for the Money 2007. http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=ac529cf12df64110VgnVCM100000176f620a____

If your children or the children of someone you know are not covered by health insurance or if the deductibles and copayments are beyond your ability to pay, you need to know that coverage through State Health and Welfare may be a possibility. To qualify for low cost or no cost insurance you must be at 185% of the federal poverty level. An example would be a family of 6 including adults, making $4378/mo or 52,536 per year. I think that I heard that Congress is debating whether to increase the limit to 200% of the federal poverty level. This could either completely cover your child medical expenses or help pay for either individual insurance or even employer sponsered insurance plans up to $100 per child. Yes, this is socialized medicine which I have mixed feeling about, but, when necessary due to financial difficulty, I support it. Just to clarify, the coverage is for the kids only, but adults are considered for the family size. For more information see http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/DesktopModules/Documents/DocumentsView.aspx?tabID=0&ItemID=6222&MId=11697&wversion=Staging

Costco and Walgreens Prices

I have started to collect prices on items that I need or am considering for my food storage. I started with Costco and a couple items at Walgreens. If you could help me out by checking any of these or other basic items while you are shopping that would be wonderful. My way of collecting the info is pretty easy, I take a picture with my cellphone of the sign with the price and all the info. And just for your info, Milk is still less expensive at Costco than any place else I have found at 4.59 for 2 gallons that's 2.29/gallon for 1%.

Cattledrive Chili 104 oz (#10 can- .055/oz) 5.99
C&H granulated sugar 25 lbs - .44/lb - 10.99
Conagra All Purpose Flour 25 lbs - .304/lb - 7.59
Conagra Bread Flour 50 lbs - .312/lb - 15.59
Pace Medium Picante Sauce .068/oz - 4.35
Pinto beans - dry 25 lbs .588/pound 14.69
Blue Ribbon Long Grain Rice 50 lbs - .50/lb - 24.99
Rosarita Refried Beans #10 can .47/lb - 3.29
Kirkland 16.9 oz drinking water 35 bottles .1333 each - 4.65

Zyrtec Costco .42 each 75 total 31.79
Walgreens generic Wal-Zyr .23 each 120 total 34.99
Walgreens Ibuprophen 1000 ct .02/each - 19.99

Flax Seed

I have found something amazing that I am so excited to share with you all. I found a recipe on the Internet using flax seed as a substitute for eggs. This is exciting for a couple reasons:

1st: Flax seed is easily stored, good for our 3 month storage and possibly long term as well.

2nd: Flax seed is very good for you. It is loaded with omega -3 fatty acids which can help lower cholesterol. The health benefits listed for these little seeds are long including helping control blood sugar, protection against certain types of cancer including breast and prostate, it contains a complete protein source, and is high in fiber for your digestive system.

3rd: Flax has a nutty delicious taste : )

As far as storing flax seed goes, the information that I found was sketchy. I do know that storing the seed whole rather than ground is best. One source said that the seed would last for 2 years in a cool dry place. Other sources said refrigerated is best. I will continue to research this and let you know. In the mean time, I will store mine in the freezer. I also read that to get the nutritional benefits from the flax seed, it must be ground, otherwise, it just passes through whole.

Where to find: Winco sells it in the bulk food section. I know you can get it at the Co-Op as well. I have not yet checked prices.

I have done a little experimenting this week to try out the egg substitute flax. I first tried it in my blender pancakes and it worked great. Next we tried it in our sourdough pancakes and they were a little gooey. I think I might try using the flax for half the eggs next time. And then yesterday I used it for 2 of the 3 eggs in zucchini bread, which I also substituted applesauce for half the oil. Everyone loved the bread.

There are a couple options in making the flax seeds turn into an eggy substance. What I did was to put the flax seed along with the water in my blender and blend it up. Then I cooked it either on the stove or in the microwave for about a minute. Then let it cool a bit before adding it to my recipe. It gels up as it cools. Supposedly you can add the whole seeds to boiling water and then simmer for 20 minutes and it will release the eggy substance. Then you can strain out the seeds. But, in doing this you would lose the great fiber source and some of the nutrition as well, I believe.

If you like this recipe for the egg substitute and find recipes to use it in that you like (or don't like), please leave a comment.

Ingredients
1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
2-3 tablespoons water
Directions
1Simmer flax seeds and water in a saucepan for about 5 minutes (or less or more time depending on the amount you are making) or until thick, egg-like consistency has been reached.
2Let cool before using in a recipe.
3This recipe makes 1 eggs worth, but it can be easily made into a larger quantity using the 1:3 ratio- for example, 1 cup ground flax seeds and 3 cups water (that would make 16 eggs worth) and will keep in the fridge for about 2 weeks.
4Use about 1/4 cup (which is equal to 4Tbs) egg substitute for every egg

Sources:

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=451

http://www.recipezaar.com/104832

http://www.mormonchic.com/recipe/recipebox/pages/foodstorage.asp