The Best Vegetables to Grill

Zucchini or Summer Squash

Grilling these vegetables over an intense heat loosens excess moisture concentrating the delicate spring flavor and aroma of the squash. I like the way it grills the inside thoroughly without burning the outside skin, making it super delicious.

Peppers

Even without the sun, we like grilled peppers. After seeding, I cut them into halves and put on the grill. My children like wrapping them in foil after drizzling with olive oil. The blend of the locked in moisture, flavor and aroma makes the whole side dish powerful and very appetizing you sure would be asking for more.

Endive and Raddichio

Endive and radicchio are bitter by nature and are tempered by the intense heat of the grill while cooked with the leaves together. But this makes me one of my best salads. I just leave the lettuce in wedges for a more composed presentation and chop the leaves before tossing the rest of the ingredients together. I toast walnuts in a dry pan until fragrant and make a fantastic nutty, citrus vinaigrette and Parmesan cheese to offset the bitter lettuces in my grilled vegetable salad.

Eggplant

Full of fiber and antioxidant and promoting phytonutrients, I too consider eggplant a staple and a very effective meat substitute. Simply brush slices with oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper then grill. We sometimes rub minced garlic all over the eggplant for a fabulous garlicky tasting side for dinner.

Asparagus

Fresh asparagus brushed with a little sesame oil, soy sauce, salt, and pepper gets its very best flavor and crunch as it is grilled cooking the asparagus quickly over high heat. Since the stalks easily fall down between the grill grates, we make it fun lining them up and use toothpicks to put them together in two places, top and near the bottom, or I use my grill pan.

Potatoes

Potatoes are amazingly comfortable. I partially cook mine by simmering them before grilling so they only need to be seared over direct heat to create a golden brown crust. Grilled this way, the potatoes will have almost the texture of French fries by the time they're done. Who wouldn't enjoy golden on the outside, fluffy and cakey on the inside?

Have you tried combining slices of just the available veggies you have in your pantry, put them in a grill pan, toss with olive oil and balsamic vinegar then grill for a couple minutes on each side? Trust me; you will not only get veggies nicely marked by the grill, but a taste that you will keep relishing time and again.

Food Storage Recipe - VERY QUICK LUNCH & YUMMY

Cook 2 packs of Ramen Noodles separately , don't add the seasoning. I always save the seasoning so can use in other recipes, etc.

In a skillet fry up some sliced smoked sausage links , cut up, and some peppers and onions.

Add the noodles and some soy sauce to taste.

That's it!!

Super fast and easy!!

20 DIY Solar Water Heater Projects - DIY Crafts

 

 

 

20 DIY Solar Water Heater Projects - DIY Crafts

 

Hot water to have a hot shower will be so nice to have in an off-grid situation. 

 

An Off-Grid Washing Machine

I had to get a new off-grid washing machine and I found this one online for a really great and low price. The  Non-Electric Portable Compact Mini Washing Machine is perfect! It will wash 5 pounds of clothing and wash them quick and with very little soap.

High-density polyethylene chamber

Wash up to 5lbs of clothing

5 minutes per wash

Capacity: 3 Gallon

Product dimension: 16 x 12 x 11in

 

 

Don't let the need for electricity or plumbed-in water pipes stop you from clean clothes.

In the space of just five minutes with nothing more than power from your arm, this hand-cranked unit washes a 5lb load in just a few minutes.

The high-density polyethylene chamber will let you store up to 5lbs of clothing. This can wash 15 pairs of socks, five t-shirts, three shirts, or a pair of jeans pre load. That is impressive performance from this compact washer.

The clever design creates a high pressure wash to lift stains and dirt from your clothes for a fast and efficient wash that uses far less water than even hand washing (and obviously no electricity). 

How to make an Emergency Water Filter | Five Gallon Ideas

 

 

How to make an Emergency Water Filter | Five Gallon Ideas

 

Having as many ways to get clean water will be a life saver. You have to have clean water to drink. 

 

 

 

Keep Adding To The Food Stockpile

 

To keep a food storage going you have to add to it more than you use it. I buy something each week , sometimes just a can , like , Mountain House #10 Can Beef Stroganoff with Noodles . Or a few cans of peanut butter. It really doesn't matter what it is that you buy - as long as your adding to the food storage!! When you need it - it will be there!!

I have been adding to mine weekly. Some weeks I add more than others. Depends on other bills and such. You don't want to go homeless or not pay your bills to have a food storage. That would be no good. 

 

 

How to Make a Rain Barrel From a Trash Can | Hometalk

 

 

 

How to Make a Rain Barrel From a Trash Can | Hometalk

 

Planning on doing this. I want to have maybe 2 of them - one rain barrel at each front corner of my house. Hope. At least one of them for sure. Will help me with the garden and other stuff around the house.  

 

 

Shrink Your Gocery Bill

If you don't live under a rock , then you have probably noticed how expensive the groceries are getting. Things I usually buy are sky rocketing. It is 2 times and sometimes 3 times more each week for my grocery budget. That is just for the basics that I buy. Using my food storage as a base , I still have a sky high bill.

These tips can help shrink your grocery bill. Every little bit helps.

Use a list and stick to it. I have gotten really good at planning out my meals for the week and sticking to a list. This has saved a lot. Get an easy to use meal planner. That will help so much.

NEVER shop for groceries on an empty stomach. Shopping hungry makes for a lot of impulse buying. Which adds a lot to the bill.

Leave everyone home when you go to the grocery store. You will be able to focus more on finding bargains and using coupons etc.

When you see something on sale that your family uses a lot of , buy as much as you can. Adds to your food storage and saves money in the long run. You will have it on hand and not have to buy it when the price goes back up to the higher price.

Buy store brand as often as possible. This has saved our family a lot.

Check the store ads each week and use your store savings card. You can save a lot doing this. Also use coupons as much as possible. I don';t rely on them because they are usually for items that are higher priced even with the coupon, but sometimes I have coupons for free items that save money for us.

 

17 Best Vegetables for Bucket Gardening

 

 

 

17 Best Vegetables for Bucket Gardening

 

It is finally getting to be that time of year to be able to start a garden. I am doing so much this season.

I am growing everything. Going to put in the plot that I have in my back yard , going to use buckets with some items to grow, and put some stuff along the front of my house. Full sun items in front.  Grabbing as many seeds as possible to grow. Growing extra to be able to help my family.

Food Storage Recipe - Chicken Tamale Pie

This is great for just using one skillet. No extra pans or dishes to wash.

Just throw it together and cook.

NEED:

1 can of cheddar cheese soup

1 can of tomato sauce

2 cans of chicken

3/4 cup of uncooked instant rice

2 cans of tamales

In the skillet combine the cheese soup, tomato sauce, chicken, and rice.

Cover it and let it simmer over low heat for a few minutes.

Place the tamales over the mixture and recover.

Cook until it is heated through.