Homemade Pizza Sauce

Bacon In My Pocket: Saucy!

Found this , on Pinterest , of course. I now cannot wait until my tomato plants start producing.

I am going to make up a bunch of homemade spaghetti sauce also.

Yard Sales & Homeschooling!

It is my favorite time of the year! Finally - it is starting to get busy around my small town with the lovely sight of yard sales! I love going to them to find camping gear, kitchen ware, survival gear, & tools. But another thing that I have been finding the last few weeks at the yard sales is Homeschool items. Well, not really specifically made for homeschool stuff, but I have been finding textbooks, flashcards, paper, craft items, learning toys, etc. Great way to homeschool on the cheap. Frugal homeschooling is the best.

I also use it as a learning tool for my Little Man - He has learned a lot about counting money going to yard sales. I give him $5.00 and then he can figure up how much things are and how much he has or has left. Fun way to teach money skills, budgeting, counting of money, etc.

Prepared For Survival

Prepared For Survival is on Facebook.

Crayon Candle

...and chaos ensued: Crayon Candle

I am going to be able to make a few of these! We have a lot of broken crayons in our house. Plus I found this just in time - I am out of actual candle wax and have about 80 wicks left!! YAY!!  

Plus I always save all of my glass jars that I get from anything, like pickles, spaghetti sauce, etc! Great way to reuse items and get something out of it that is useful.

Camping Essentials: Camping Basics, Importance of Camping, Camping Gear That is Needed And How To Set Up Camp

Camping Essentials: Camping Basics, Importance of Camping, Camping Gear That is Needed And How To Set Up Camp was a free book for the Kindle (or free Kindle reading app) when I wrote this post.

Camping Essentials

Are you looking for something to do with your family this summer? Maybe you've been planning to take a trip but the economy makes it difficult. Or maybe you've been debating about going somewhere but you don't know what to do. Well one of your options is camping and it's something that everyone in your family can enjoy. Whether you spend only a little money and stay in a tent or you spend a lot and buy an RV, you'll be able to go out and have a lot of fun.
This is also something that you can do all the time and not just once in a while. Because it's so cheap and there are so many different places to go you'll be able to explore the entire country without having to spend a lot of money. Instead of going to a resort or a hotel this year go camping and spend more time with your family.
A preview of the book:

• Camping Essentials: The Basics


• Chapter I: The Importance of Camping


• Chapter II: The Benefits of Camping


• Chapter III: What Gear is Needed


• Chapter IV: Where to Camp


• Chapter V: How to Set Up Camp


• Chapter VI: Breaking Camp


• Chapter VII: Coming Home

The Ultimate Dandelion Cookbook

The Ultimate Dandelion Cookbook was a free book for your Kindle when I wrote this post.

Perfect cookbook for this time of year!!

~~FREE Food from the yard~~

148 dandelion recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and even dessert!

What would you think if someone told you one of the world’s most nutritious foods was also tasty, could be cooked many different ways, was easy to find, and was totally free? I know what I’d do: I’d run out and grab some! Well, the good news is, there is such a food: Dandelions. Yes, those pesky weeds with bright yellow flowers you’ve grown up thinking are the enemy of perfect lawns is actually food – brought to North America by immigrants who knew how valuable they are.

Every part of the dandelion is edible. Dandelion greens recipes are common throughout Europe and often used in salad, quiche, lasagna and other pasta dishes, and many other familiar and less-familiar dishes. The honey-like flowers are a healthy and tasty addition to bread, omelets, pancakes, tea, and more – plus they make delectable jelly and wine. The buds are often pickled or added to stir frys and other dishes. The stems can be eaten like noodles. And the roots add coffee flavor to everything from ice cream and cakes to drinks.

The Ultimate Dandelion Cookbook offers 148 recipes, plus expert advice and tips, for cooking all parts of the dandelion – one of nature’s best free foods.

NBC News: "Stock Up On Canned Goods"

NBC News: "Stock Up On Canned Goods"


You should have a stockpile of canned goods, water, tools, etc anyway! Be Prepared!

Really Happy To Get A Grand Trunk Parachute Nylon Double Hammock

Grand Trunk Parachute Nylon Double Hammock

I was so happy when I received my Grand Trunk Parachute Nylon Double Hammock! Already have had an argument with my daughter about me letting her have it. Yeah, right! I told her to get her own. This is mine! Got it just in time for my birthday. The print of this ( and the other prints) is so nice. Really makes it stand out. A much higher quality than some hammocks that I have had experience with. This will be great for hiking and camping since it only weighs about 20 ounces. Made of high quality material and has triple sewn seams. Double size and has a weight grade up to 400 pounds. Two people could easily and comfortably fit in this!

The nautical grade hanging carabiners will ensure that it is hung well and safe. This has tons of room, enough for you and someone else or to be by yourself hanging up safely and with all of your hiking gear up off the ground with you. Great way to get up in a tree a bit higher off the ground so you can be hidden. The fabric feels so much stronger and a bit thicker. Use it with a sleeping bag even.  Great for taking a nap after a long hike. This seems like it will hang up very fast. The instructions are really clear and I think that I could have it hung by myself fast! Quickly be safe and up off the ground after a long day. With it being made out of nylon and not mesh makes this a lot more durable. This will last you a much longer time if you take care of it.

I was hoping to get it up before I had to write this post , but wasn't able to. We had planned on going camping this week , but the darn weather just did not cooperate. I did take it out and lay it flat. Made very well. After we take it camping I am seriously thinking of getting some poles for a set up of some kind to be able to  have it hung in my back yard. Have a place where we can go and relax. Read a great book or just take a nap.  It is made of strong parachute nylon. Which is also mildew resistant. I know that it dries quick. It was rained on when it was laying out in the yard a little bit and I just hung it over the back deck rails and it was dry in no time. That is a major plus. Good to have something that can dry quick when you are out and about. Camping out in the woods, you do not want to have something that is soaking wet and not able to bag it up in the bag that it came with. This is built strong and would be a great item to have on hand for anyone who loves the great outdoors or is looking for an alternative to a sleeping arrangement in their bug-out-bag. Since this is so light you can easily have it hanging on the outside of your bag. Will not take up hardly any space. Great for anyone who is out a lot!




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received Grand Trunk Parachute Nylon Double Hammock-Prints for free from Grand Trunk Goods as coordinated by Deep Creek Public Relations

OFF THE GRID: Live in a Van, Truck, Trailer, or Motorhome

OFF THE GRID: Live in a Van, Truck, Trailer, or Motorhome was free for the Kindle when this post was written.

For some reason I could see myself doing this. Not sure how good it would be for little ones, but if I was single I would so do this.

 The information that follows is based upon my own experiences living on the road, dating back to just after World War II. If you can imagine yourself in any of the following categories, this book is for you!

Save on Your Rent Payment

In hard times, one of the best ways to cut expenses quickly and for as long as you need relief, is to stop paying rent. True, even an old truck or cargo trailer will cost something, but often these pay for themselves in less than a year. A bonus is that when you sell it, you may get the major part of your money back.

Low-Cost Vacations

The cost of lodging, even on a three-week vacation, can easily run up to $2,000 or more. However, if you’ve got a light-weight fiberglass or converted cargo trailer—set up for cooking—even a two or three month holiday may be affordable.

Permanent living

Tens of thousands of Americans and Canadians live full time in a motorhome. There are prices for all budgets, from just over $2,000 to well over $1,000,000!

High Adventure

Travel up the Alaska Highway—a trip you will never forget!

Personal Privacy

The quickest way to assure yourself of total privacy is to travel in a van, trailer, truck or motorhome. This is called Travel on the QT.

Pray For Oklahoma

                


                                        Prayers are being sent to Oklahoma from my family. 

 

Hunkering Down: Prepping to Survive in Your Home During a Natural Disaster (The NEW Survival Prepper Guides)

Hunkering Down: Prepping to Survive in Your Home During a Natural Disaster (The NEW Survival Prepper Guides) was a free Kindle book when I wrote this blog post.

No one knows WHAT it will be.

It could be a natural disaster or a medical pandemic. Financial system collapse or bioterrorism. Governmental shutdowns or societal breakdowns. The media is full of possible threats, and they seem to be coming at us from all sides these days.

No one knows WHEN it will be.

It might be today, or tomorrow. Next week or next month. Next year ... or maybe never.

But do you want to take a chance on "maybe never"?

It pays to be prepared. "Prepare for the worst, pray for the best," as the saying goes. And if there ever was a time to prepare for the worst, NOW is that time.

Survival prepping is about preparing for the worst. It's about making sure you and your family are safe, no matter what the world throws at you.

This guide on "Hunkering Down" focuses on a scenario that would force you to stay in your home - a natural disaster which prevents evacuation. During a natural disaster, you might need to survive for a few days or a few weeks in your home before you can leave or before help arrives - if it ever does arrive!

But don't let the "natural disaster" part of the title fool you. You might hunker down for any number of reasons. No matter what happens that requires you to "bug in" (the opposite of "bug out" or evacuating), this guide can get you started in the right direction.

This book contains easy-to-read, direct, to-the-point chapters on the essentials of hunkering down. How to make sure your home is secure. Food storage and preparation. Water storage and purification. Hygiene. First Aid. Communications.

It is written to help you as a new prepper get started. It's for us "regular folk" who want to make sure we are prepared. If you are ready to take those first few steps on the prepper path, this book will help you ensure your family survives, and maybe even thrives, should a disaster strike.

Are you are uncertain about what you need to hunker down? Does even the thought of hunkering down scare you? This book can help.

Together, we can put you on the right path to removing that fear and uncertainty. In a short time, we can get you and your family ready to hunker down no matter what disaster or catastrophe happens.

Food Storage Recipe - Oatmeal Pancakes

My kids love these and I have had to make them 5 times out of the last 7 days for breakfast! They are yummy.

Oatmeal Pancakes

2 1/2 cups of milk

1/3 cup of vegetable oil

2 eggs

1 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 cups oatmeal

1 cup of whole wheat flour

Mix all of the ingredients up well. Makes sure they are really mixed together. You can use your blender here if would like.

Let this stand for a few minutes to thicken it up.

Cook up on a hot griddle and serve them hot with maple syrup.

3 Dinosaurs - Printable Packs

3 Dinosaurs - Printable Packs

I am using a lot of ink and paper on this site!! Love it and my Little Man is having a ton of fun.

Zombies at the Door, Planning for the Inevitable

Zombies at the Door, Planning for the Inevitable was a free Kindle book when I wrote this post.

*Get ready for a funny Advice & How-To guide to the coming Zombie Apocalypse using humor and practical knowledge together to help you survive*

We all know it can happen, will happen. Be prepared and have a laugh at the same time. This basic manual will make sure you are ready to face the zombie hordes and walk you through where to meet, find weapons and food, and set up camp. It may even give you hope as you huddle in the bathroom stall at the mall.

Seriously though, don't go to the mall!

Learn the glow stick technique to distract zombies or how a paper bag might save your life or at least keep you from seeing the bitey end that's coming. Are dentist offices safe? Can the game of baseball stop the zombies from attacking? Is petroleum jelly something you should have in your zombie kit? Find out now.

*Add to the knowledge you've gained from Max Brooks, A. R. Wise, Bryan James, Laurence Sutton, Karim Theos, and many more while you laugh at your own lack of preparation*

Civil War Household Tips

Civil War Household Tips (Annotated with Study Guide) was a free Kindle book when I wrote this post.

 The United States Civil War began in 1861 and ended in 1865. While it was a difficult time for our country, they had many important yet simple bits of knowledge that deserve to be resurrected. Back when they couldn’t run to the corner market for cough syrup, they knew how to make their own. Taking nothing away from our 21st century luxuries, sometimes it just feels good to do something the old fashioned way! Included in this edition is a Study Guide at the back of the book.

5 Essentials for Your 72 Hour Kit

Being prepared to survive any man-made or natural disaster will give you peace of mind. You need to have all the supplies you need to be self-sufficient for no less than three days. After a hurricane, tornado, monsoon or other catastrophe, most everyday services won't be working. You'll be without telephone, gas, electricity, even running water. So, you need to prepare yourself in order to survive until help arrives.

Emergency 72 hour kits are designed for short-term emergency preparedness plans. As long as you have the right tools in your kit, you can be self-sufficient for three entire days. Just make sure that your kit is easy to tote around when you're on the move. When it's time to evacuate, having a bag of wheels or backpack you can grab and go will help make the process smooth.

5 Things Every 72 Hour Kit Should Contain

You can put together your own 72-hour emergency kit. You can also find some great 3-day kits online. No matter which route you choose, be sure that your kit contains the following five things:

1. Water – Experts suggest storing one gallon of water, per person, per day for drinking, washing and hygienic purposes. However, it may be wise to purchase a water purifier or water filter as well. That way, if you run out of clean water, you can make your own. Plus, if you have to evacuate quickly, you may not be able to tote too many gallons of water.
   
2. Food – Choose the foods you put in your food storage wisely. Make sure to store foods with long shelf lives. Canned foods last for years. You can also eat them out of the can without cooking. However, they can be a bit heavy to carry around. Both dehydrated food and freeze dried food have long shelf lives, and are very lightweight. Yet, dehydrated foods require some cooking, while with freeze dried foods, all you have to do is add water.
   
3. First Aid Kit – Make sure your first aid kit contains all of the basic supplies for emergencies. Also, check to be sure that the instruction manual is also included. If all else fails, go and buy yourself a new first aid kit.
   
4. Important Documents – Put important docs like birth certificates, copies of IDs, passports and lists of important addresses and phone numbers in a folder. Keep the folder in your 72 hour kit. Also, be sure to stash some cash in your kit as well. Banking services will probably be down for quite a while.
   
5. Clothing & Warmth – Keep in mind that your home will probably be cold because of utility services being down. And, if you have to evacuate, you never know where you may end up. Be prepared to stay warm at night. Pack warm clothing, heavy shoes, rain gear and work gloves. Also, be sure to include a heavy blanket or a thick sleeping bag.
   

Author Bio
This article was created by Dirk Puckett an emergency preparedness expert. Get your 72 hour kit from www.dailybread.com today.

Backyard Chickens Book Package: The Backyard Chickens Handbook and The Backyard Chickens Breed Guide (Modern Homesteading)

Backyard Chickens Book Package: The Backyard Chickens Handbook and The Backyard Chickens Breed Guide (Modern Homesteading) were free for the Kindle when I wrote this post. Awesome deal. 2 books for free!

Get TWO backyard chicken books for one low price.

The Backyard Chickens Handbook is a greater starter book for those looking to raise a new flock of chickens. It's also a good book for seasoned vets to have on hand as a reminder of the best practices for hatching, raising and feeding backyard chickens.

The Backyard Chickens Breed Guide takes the guesswork out of choosing backyard chicken breeds.

This helpful guide gives you the information you need in order to make an informed decision regarding the chickens you want to add to your backyard flock.

The topics covered include all of the items that are important to backyard breeders, including the following:

• Noise level.
• The amount of eggs you can reasonably expect your chickens to lay.
• The average cost per chick.
• Potential health concerns.
• Temperament.
• Special considerations that must be made.

Take the guesswork out of owning backyard chickens.

There are more than 150 different breeds of chicken. This book narrows your choices down to 22 of the most popular and best breeds for backyard flocks.

If you're planning on owning backyard chickens, you're going to want these books!

5 Easy Ways To Start Your Food Storage Efficiently

What are the biggest food storage challenges people faces? Do you have enough space for your emergency foods? Are you storing food in your kitchen cupboards and pantry, but still need more space? Join me in taking a look at five easy tips to get your food storage started.

1) Utilize All Space

One of the biggest challenges of food storage is having enough space for your supplies. You want to ask yourself before starting, “Do I have enough storage space for all the food that I want to store?” Preparing the space in advance will help you discover other areas for your storage.

If you have only a small amount of space, do not panic. Utilize this space the best way you can, using every inch possible. You do not have to just store your foods in the kitchen. You can use other spaces in your home that are available too. Some of these areas include under the bed, inside plastic storage bins, behind couches and other furniture. 

 

2) Utilize Your Time

 

In all honesty, everyone is busy! Sometimes you may not even have time to sit down to dinner at the table. Yet, it takes time to stock up on a whole year’s supply of food. Here are a couple of things you can do to use the time that you do have to create your food storage:

• Learn to use your freezer. Make extra portions of your favorite foods. Bag them and freeze them.
• Cook days ahead of time. Prepare meals in advance so that you can be prepared for the week. Just store them in your freezer until you're ready to heat and serve them.

NOTE: Storing your foods and preparing meals in advance does not have to take a lot of time, it can actually help you to SAVE time in the long run.

 

3) Set a Budget 

 

You may be working on a budget, but that's okay. You can still start your food storage without breaking your family's bank. It's not expensive start a food storage plan, especially if you add a little at a time. Use a checklist to ensure that you purchase foods you will actually eat. Then, add to your storage in baby steps, little by little. This will help you stick to your monthly budget, while adding to your food storage over time.

4) Be Organized

Most of us reserve a special time each year where we do our major “ spring cleaning.” It's all about cleaning each room, getting rid of the unnecessary clutter. When it comes to your food storage, you need to follow this same concept. You have to do a check, every month or so, to make sure that you get rid of any food items that have expired. You also want to switch things around to ensure that items expiring the soonest, are in the front of your storage. This will ensure that you use the oldest items first, prolonging the shelf life of your foods. Keeping your storage organized will also help you see, at-a-glance, products that have been used up and need to be replaced.

5) Remember Diet Restrictions

If there are people in your household with dietary restrictions, provisions need to be made to ensure their safety. These restrictions can be related to allergies to certain foods, health restricted diets or disliking for certain types of foods. Be sure to consider these factors when planning your food storage. When a disaster strikes, you don't need to have to worry about allergic reactions. You also don't want to see your family starve because you've filled your storage with pork products, and no one in your home eats pork.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food Self-Sufficiency: Reality Check

Food Self-Sufficiency: Reality Check was free for the Kindle when I wrote this post.


Some people like the idea of producing their own food. They want to grow a garden or raise animals, or otherwise provide for themselves. Others are 'preppers' and have been buying and storing food in case of disaster, hardship, or other turmoil. It's a great plan, but knowing how to produce your own food is real security. Hand in hand with that is knowing what you'll need to produce, preserve, and store that food.

This books is about the numbers. It's not a how-to book, it's about what you need for the “how to”. We'll look at figuring out how much space you need for gardens or animals, how many jars you'll need if you plan to get into canning, and what other options there are for preserving and storing food.

I'll talk about animals and their needs, and suggest ways to feed and shelter them that won't break your bank account. I'll point you the right direction to find out what you need to know about foraging, hunting, and fishing, plus share some tips from my own experiences.

This book is geared toward those with limited funds, but will also be helpful to more prosperous readers who are considering growing or otherwise providing for most or all of their own food. The 'how-to' may vary but the numbers are the same, whether you're rich or poor.

camping | camping recipes | outdoor recipes | campfire recipes | hiking recipes | camping main dish recipes | camping breakfast recipes | camping dessert recipes

camping | camping recipes | outdoor recipes | campfire recipes | hiking recipes | camping main dish recipes | camping breakfast recipes | camping dessert recipes

WOW!! Huge assortment of recipes that are great for camping or off-the-grid. Love this.

The Ultimate Beans & Rice Recipe List

The Ultimate Beans & Rice Recipe List

tons of great recipes here for beans and rice , the staples of any food storage!! Great way to liven the food up so it doesn't get boring.

How Much Food Storage Does Your Family Need??

Need to stock long term emergency food supplies but don't know what and how many to buy for your family? Wise Food Storage calculator is here to help. With the Wise calculator, you can determine what package is right for you. Just provide the information on the number of adults and number of children (under 10 years old) and Wise calculator will suggest packages right for your family. Its that easy to Calculate Food Storage For Your Family!

Food Storage Recipe - Texas Two-Step Chicken Picante

YUMMY!!

Texas Two-Step Chicken Picante

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast

1 1/2 cups of thick and chunky salsa

3 tablespoon light brown sugar

1 tablespoon dijon style mustard

Put the chicken in a shallow baking dish. Mix the thick and chunky salsa, sugar, and mustard. Pour it over the chicken.

Bake this at 400 degrees until the chicken is done. Server over hot rice.

Food Storage Recipe - Easy Fiesta Rice

This is a quick and simple side dish that is good with just about anything.

Easy Fiesta Rice

1 can of chicken broth

1/2 cup of thick and chunky Salsa

2 cups of uncooked minute rice

In a saucepan mix the broth and salsa , bring it to a boil. Stir in the rice! Cover and remove from the heat. Let this stand for about 5 minutes and then uncover and fluff it up with a fork.

Food Storage Recipe - Camping - Pot Pie in a Pouch

This is so good in one of those Aluminum Foil Grill Bags . Just fill it up with the ingredients and let it grill up.

• cooking spray
• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 2 diced potatoes
• your choice of vegetables, including green beans, carrots, onions, green pepper – or anything you like!
• Salt and pepper

Spray a bit of the cooking spray into the Aluminum Foil Grill Bags or onto the foil that you plan on making your own "bag" out of of. (or pouch) Break the ground beef up and place it into the pouch with the other ingredients. Place it right into your how coals. It is very hot in there so it doesn't take too long for this to cook up. About 15 - 20 minutes. 

Frugal Blog Contest!

You get a chance go over to Ebay Frugal Blog Contest to vote for this blog. Tweet and Like it on Facebook.

Thank you.

Container Gardening: How To Grow Food, Flowers and Fun At Home

Container Gardening: How To Grow Food, Flowers and Fun At Home (Gardening Guidebooks) was a free Kindle book when I wrote this post. Great way to have a garden when you have no space!

How To Grow A Spectacular Container Garden Anywhere

Even if you only have a tiny balcony to work with, you can grow fresh food and flowers there. There are dozens of kinds of container gardens you can create to suit your own personality and tastes. Do you want tons of fresh food, flowers or something totally unique like a contorted filbert?

Grow Vegetables And Fresh Food With Your Container Gardens

The options are almost endless if you'd like to learn container gardening to grow fresh organic fruits and vegetables for you and your family. You can grow tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, spinach, collards, head and leaf lettuces, bok choy, herbs including rosemary, basil, parsley, cilantro, scallions, green onion and much more!