Food Storage Recipe - Pinto Bean Bread

 Great way to make bread that uses Pinto Beans.

NEED:

2 cups cooked and mashed Pinto Beans

2 cups of milk

2 tablespoons of sugar

6 cups all-purpose flour

2 (1 Tablespoons) packages of active dry yeast

2 tablespoons of shortening

2 teaspoon salt

Sprinkle the yeast over lukewarm milk and stir.

Blend in the beans, sugar, salt, and shortening. 

Gradually add 4 cups of the flour, stirring with a spoon as you add it.

Add enough of the remaining flour to handle easily.

Knead until it is smooth and elastic.

Place in a greased bowl and grease the top. 

Cover and let rise until doubled.

Punch down and let it rise again. 

Divide the dough into 2 loaves.

Cover and let rise in the bread pans. 

Bake at 350 degrees for about 50 minutes. 

 

Take Advantage Of The Sun & Nature

It isn't difficult to utilize the sun to help with easing the cost of your power usage. It will help by using the natural heat and light. You will use less power and be more sufficient. This will save your family money in the long run.

• Orient you buildings to take advantage of the sun and to protect your home from the cold winter winds. You can plant a living "fence" to help with this if you have to. Plant a row of evergreen trees to keep the cold wind away.
• Be sure to have as much insulation in your home as possible. This will also help in the summer by keeping the heat out and in the winter will hold the heat in.
• Think about adding a sunroom to your home. You can vent the heat into the home during the winter and in the summer vent the heat outside.
• Use the natural light during the day. In the winter open the curtains and let that natural light and heat into the house.
• Think about adding brick to the outside of your home. This really helps with controlling the temperature. 
• Use hanging plants and overhangs to cool the home in the summer. 
• Plant your own food garden in your yard to save money on food costs. 

• Have a rain barrel to catch water to use to water your garden and yard. My son also used our rain barrel to wash the cars. Great way to save money on water.

There are many ways to use nature to help you keep your utility bills low.

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Homemade Carpet Deodorizer

 

 Carpet deodorizer is something that every household with kids and pets should use. It is natural and safe. Not any crazy unpronounceable chemicals!


NEED:

10 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil

10 drops of Lemon Essential Oil

20 drops of Lavender Essential Oil

16 ounces of baking soda.

Mix all of the essential oils into the baking soda thoroughly. The lemon essential oil could stain your light colored carpets if you do not mix them together completely.
Sprinkle it on the carpet and let it set for about 20 minutes and then vacuum.

Store in a container and use whenever.

EF ECOFLOW WAVE 2 Portable Air Conditioner

 

EF ECOFLOW WAVE 2 Portable Air Conditioner 

High-Efficiency, Extended Runtime: 8-Hour Wireless Operation with an Add-on Battery, Portable Comfort for Any Space: Lightweight, Compact, and Installation-Free, The Fastest Cooling & Heating Wireless Portable A/C, Drive, Charge, and Cool: Bottomless On-the-Road Cooling with the 800W Alternator Charger

• Powerful Cooling & Heating. With EcoFlow's tailor-made compressor, Wave 2 can drop the temperature by 18℉ (10℃) in 5 mins in cooling mode (5100BTU) and raise the temperature by 18℉ (10℃) in 5 mins in heating mode (6100BTU).
• Four Ways to Charge. Charge EcoFlow Wave2, the ultimate air cooler and heater, quickly with AC, solar, car, and power stations. Its swappable battery allows for cool or warm air anytime, anywhere, with the flexibility of multiple charging options, making it the perfect tent, RV or camping air conditioner.
• Peaceful and Long-lasting Comfort. Enjoy a peaceful snooze with Wave 2's quiet operation (44 dB) in Sleep Mode, and up to 8 hours of use in Eco Mode. With multiple modes and app control, it offers longer-lasting comfort in your tent, RV, or home. Its powerful and portable design ensures you can take it anywhere you need it.
• No Water Left Behind. Enjoy the convenience of cooling and heating right out of the box! EcoFlow Wave2 is the perfect air conditioner for any compact space. It's extremely simple to use, requiring no installation or drainage*.*No drainage is needed in cooling mode when humidity is below 70%, but it is still needed in heating mode.
• 8-Hour Wireless Operation with an Add-on Battery. WAVE 2 with its swappable 1159Wh Add-on Battery, offers up to 8 hours of wireless operation in eco mode, ensuring all-night cooling for your off-grid journey. With a strong EER rating of 9.3, WAVE 2 maximizes cooling power and runtime while minimizing energy consumption.   

Food Storage Recipe - High Protein Quinoa Bowl

 A delicious high-protein vegan dish. Yummy fresh flavors. Simple to throw together. 

NEED:

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1.5 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth, or water
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 3 cups cooked black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for serving
• Optional toppings: sour cream, shredded cheese, avocado, hot sauce, limes, etc.
  

In a large pot , heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Saute the diced onion and red bell pepper until they are softened and browned, approximately 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional thirty seconds.

 Stir in the rinsed quinoa, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and black pepper. Ensure the quinoa is well-coated with the aromatic mixture. Pour in the vegetable broth, stir, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the quinoa is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.

 Stir in the frozen corn and cooked black beans and cook on low heat until the corn and beans are heated through, approximately 5 minutes. Add the chopped fresh cilantro and adjust seasoning to taste.

Serve in bowls. Garnish with additional fresh cilantro and any desired optional toppings such as sour cream, shredded cheese, avocado slices, hot sauce, or a squeeze of lime juice.

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DIY Outdoor Fun - Darts

This is a simple outdoor dart board setup. It was basically free to me. I already had the darts and board that were set up in my garage. The fence post was one that was left over from putting up a fence. Flower pot I had. It has some pavers in it for now. Next time I get to the store I will get some more potting soil to put in it and maybe plant some flower seeds. 

This was very easy to do, maybe took me about 15 minutes. I got the fence post and put it in the flower pot that was a little more than half full of soil. I had a screw in hook for hanging things that I used. Just screwed it into the post. Hung the dart board from it and got to playing. 

The darts I had to have since then the whole family can play and it is just easier to have a lot of darts. 

We use a small whiteboard to keep score on. I also bring in the dart board when we are done. Not sure how long it would last if it was left out there day and night. 

Ignore the white clothesline that goes across. I hang my towels there to dry and to get it out of the way for darts I just pull it up onto the hook.

Self Sufficient

Self-sufficiency is the ability to provide for oneself without relying on others for help or support. Being self-sufficient means taking responsibility for one's own needs, whether they be physical, emotional, or financial. For example, a self-sufficient person is able to cook their own meals, manage their own finances, and solve their own problems without constantly seeking assistance from others.


Self-sufficiency is an important skill to develop as it allows individuals to become more independent and self-reliant. By learning how to take care of themselves and meet their own needs, individuals can become more confident and empowered to face the challenges of daily life. Being self-sufficient also fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment, as individuals are able to see the results of their hard work and efforts.


Ultimately, Self-sufficiency is a valuable trait that can lead to personal growth and success. By being able to rely on oneself and not constantly depend on others for support, individuals can achieve greater levels of autonomy and freedom. Self-sufficiency also enables individuals to adapt to changes and challenges more effectively, as they have the skills and resources necessary to overcome obstacles on their own. In conclusion, developing self-sufficiency is an important goal for individuals looking to become more independent and capable in their lives.

The 5 C's of Survival

1. Cutting Tool. The most important external tool you can carry in a survival situation is a Survival Knife. Even a small pocket style knife is handy to have. It is an essential tool.  I always make a point of carrying a knife. My hubby thinks it is funny that I carry a knife in my purse, but there have been many times that we have been away from home and had to pull it out. 

 

 

2. Combustion Device. The means to start fire is the next most essential item to carry, even above shelter. A shelter can be fashioned with outdoor materials, even in the most crude fashion, and still be a life-saver. When faced with a survival situation, when you need to start a fire, then you must have a dependable means to start a fire. Learn the many ways there are to make a fire. Have a small mirror in your kit. Waterproof matches. Or a Waterproof Case For Matches

3. Cover/Shelter. Your first line of defense against the elements; cold, heat, rain and snow; is the clothes you are wearing. An inexpensive poncho can be carried in your mini kit and used as a make-shift shelter or sleeping. A Survival Blanket coule come in handy also. bag.


4. Container. In order to collect water for drinking, as well as for boiling and cooking, you need a dependable container. In order to boil water in it, your container needs to be metal. A small camping cooking pot works perfect.

5. Cordage. In many instances where you need to build a natural shelter, cordage is a necessity. The ability to make a structure stable is something that cordage can provide. Rope, Paracord​ or some type of twine can be used for countless chores and is a valuable item to have in your kit. Always wear a Paracord Bracelet.

Food Storage Recipe - Quinoa Patties

 Quinoa Patties

NEED:

1 cup cooked Quinoa

1/2 cup grated zucchini

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup breadcrumbs

1 egg, beaten

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp paprika

2 tbsp olive oil

 

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, combine cooked Quinoa, grated zucchini, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika.

 

Mix until well combined and the mixture holds together.

 

Form the mixture into patties using your hands.

 

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

 

Place the patties in the skillet and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side.

 

Transfer cooked patties to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

 

Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce or in a burger bun with toppings of your choice!