Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: Jan 4-10

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Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
SB, I have both beef and chicken Better than Bouillon. They have saved my rear a few times when I was out of frozen broth or just needed to get some broth into the thermos and go. I don't like to use it all the time because it does have a fair amount of sodium (not as much as regular bouillon), but they both have a place in my fridge.

They can be used as the base of gravy, too.
 

anna43

Veteran Member
Just got back from shopping about half an hour ago. The fog didn't dissipate until almost noon, so I it was later when I went. Walmart wasn't busy at first then got crazy. Aldi was busy but not crazy. The pasta shelves at Walmart were nearly empty. I didn't notice any empty shelves at Aldi. The only meat I purchased was a roll of sausage at Aldi.

Six weeks since I shopped and I spent $129.77 on groceries and $57.43 on miscellaneous items including tax. Food in general is not taxed in Iowa but there are exceptions. I did not buy any exceptions other than Pepsi. The exceptions are what are no longer allowed for EBT purchases. I don't use EBT.

My back is very upset by all the activity shopping and driving so I think this will be a skip day for my therapy exercises. I promised myself that I would do my best to exercise each day but not beat myself up over a skip day. Once I get back into the swing of doing therapy, it will be easier to keep at it and in 5 days I'm not there yet. I'm relearning all the exercises ... there are 4 standing, 3 sitting and 5 laying on the floor ... and then the getting off the floor. :lkick:
 

SouthernBreeze

TB Fanatic
SB, I have both beef and chicken Better than Bouillon. They have saved my rear a few times when I was out of frozen broth or just needed to get some broth into the thermos and go. I don't like to use it all the time because it does have a fair amount of sodium (not as much as regular bouillon), but they both have a place in my fridge.

They can be used as the base of gravy, too.

I'm anxious to try it out. Mine is roasted chicken flavor. I started to go ahead and buy the veggie and beef flavors just to give them a try, but thought better of it. I want to try the chicken, first.
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
I promised myself that I would do my best to exercise each day but not beat myself up over a skip day. Once I get back into the swing of doing therapy, it will be easier to keep at it and in 5 days I'm not there yet. I'm relearning all the exercises ... there are 4 standing, 3 sitting and 5 laying on the floor ... and then the getting off the floor. :lkick:

No, don't beat yourself up. If you can do M, W, and F for several weeks in a row, it won't be hard to add either Tuesday or Thursday and then work up to M - F. Don't rush it. Maybe later, add Saturday or Sunday.

Unless you're training for something, it's fine to program in some skip days. We are not machines.
 

Wildwood

Veteran Member
I'm 79 and take no prescription drugs.... :-)
I take the one fluid pill and a ton of supplements. My doctor knows I like to go the natural route and she is on board with it.

Today was my first time to leave the house after getting the flu three weeks ago and it was horrible...the flu that is. I need groceries but my booth in the antique store needed restocked. It was all I could manage today. I may try to restock my spot in town tomorrow and pick up a few groceries if I haven't run out of steam.

My son came down with the flu a week ago so we got their kids immediately...we were past the contagious stage. The grands just went home today and my son looks like he's aged thirty years. He even sounds like an old man. So far, we've managed to keep the young ones and my DIL from getting it.
 
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etdeb

Veteran Member
SB, I have both beef and chicken Better than Bouillon. They have saved my rear a few times when I was out of frozen broth or just needed to get some broth into the thermos and go. I don't like to use it all the time because it does have a fair amount of sodium (not as much as regular bouillon), but they both have a place in my fridge.

They can be used as the base of gravy, too.
I love the Italian one.
 

Wildwood

Veteran Member
We do supplements....like D3 + K2.....and various...other things...try to eat healthy.....DH has no RX....he is mid 70s...
My DH has no prescriptions either but he is very physically active. I'm pretty active myself and we have no plans to ever fully retire as long as we can keep doing something. That's the way our parents were...DH's mother is 91 and still working.

My supplements vary by whatever I think I need at the time but I usually always take D3 and K2 along with garlic. Right now I'm taking tart cherry because of the inflammation involved with the flu. It made me feel better than about anything when I was in the middle of it. I'm so thankful to be on the other side of that stuff.
 

anna43

Veteran Member
My exercises are the ones I did for physical therapy when first diagnosed with stenosis in my lower back. I did them for about 18 months then started missing more and more and finally realized it had been months and gave up. My back is now causing me a lot of pain, so I decided I needed to start over using the same exercises which fortunately I had saved in a notebook. I considered asking the doctor to give me a referral to restart, but I don't want to go back to the local therapists which have offices at the local nursing home. What they had me doing were very simple and not very effective. When those therapists were gone for a week the one that substituted got me on a much more vigorous regime which did help. And then a year later I kept getting calls asking when I'd left the nursing home and a bunch of other invasive questions. I think three calls before I finally got them to understand that I'd never been in the nursing home only gone there for physical therapy. BTW I didn't answer invasive questions!

The therapy really helped with back issues the first time around and I'm somewhat hopeful it will help again IF I keep doing them. I'm careful not to push to the point of pain. Muscle soreness isn't the pain I'm talking about rather back pain.
 

WanderLore

Veteran Member
Good morning everyone! Wow it will be in the 40s today, then 50, then 60! Letting coal stove go out so can clean and restart.
Son is a little better. It's his birthday today!
Typical chores today and maybe go get some straw. Pick up a few things at grocery.
Did the dump run yesterday and it was so foggy I couldn't hardly see. Was like that all day.
Propane got topped off. Still haven't heard from softener guy, have to call again.
I have a spare tarp. Going to cover the one part of the garden with it. It will compost and be ready to plant in spring. Just dig furrows. No tilling.
Waiting on sun up to go do chores.
 

Wildwood

Veteran Member
It's suppose to get up to 70 here today and I'd planned to work in my garden too but I started coughing again last night after my trip to the city yesterday so I'm going to wait and see. I'm so ready to get it started. We are suppose to put a six foot fence around it this year but right now, nobody has the wire in stock. The neighbor leases his land for cattle and I've had a few cows wonder up to my garden spot lately...can't get that fence up soon enough.
 

SouthernBreeze

TB Fanatic
It rained overnight, and we have a heavy fog this morning with an advisory. I can't see the road from the house this morning due to the fog. 65, today. Severe weather is still in our forecast for Friday afternoon. The Storm Prediction Center is still fine tuning our forecast as Friday approaches. Our primary tornado season could start early this year, since we haven't had much of a winter.

I cleaned and scrubbed the bathroom this morning. I have some work to do in the kitchen as well.

I have a question for all you seasoned bread makers. I bought organic rye flour, yesterday. I was wondering if I can use half bread flour and half rye flour in all my bread recipes? With the rye flour, it says to add gluten to it to make whole rye bread. Would I have to do that if using it half and half?

ps. Forgot to mention that gas prices in small town were down to $2.19/gal and eggs at Walmart were only $1.97/doz., yesterday. That's the lowest prices we've seen for both in a long time.
 
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Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
SB, it's going to be a denser loaf if you go with 1/2 and 1/2. You'll need a little more water. I think I was using 1/4 rye to 3/4s wheat. It's still somewhat dense, really good for dunking in soup or stew!

It's 51 here, full sun, a banner day! I helped haul a bunch of rocks down to the dock (just hauled, didn't touch them otherwise), and this afternoon I'm working in the garage and grilling. Winter comes back tomorrow night.
 

SouthernBreeze

TB Fanatic
SB, it's going to be a denser loaf if you go with 1/2 and 1/2. You'll need a little more water. I think I was using 1/4 rye to 3/4s wheat. It's still somewhat dense, really good for dunking in soup or stew!

It's 51 here, full sun, a banner day! I helped haul a bunch of rocks down to the dock (just hauled, didn't touch them otherwise), and this afternoon I'm working in the garage and grilling. Winter comes back tomorrow night.

Cary loves Jewish rye bread. That's why I bought the rye flour, but thought about mixing some into my other breads as well. I just didn't know if it would work.
 

philkar

Veteran Member
Cary loves Jewish rye bread. That's why I bought the rye flour, but thought about mixing some into my other breads as well. I just didn't know if it would work.
I am no authority! Now that’s out of the way! I add gluten and any and all of the stuff I use to help bread rise. And it works for me. Rye as others have said makes a dense loaf. But oh so delicious!
 

hd5574

Veteran Member
Just saw the new food pyramid on that new thread..wow
That is mostly the way we eat....I guess it all really came through my mom..
She was born way back in 1910...no fast food..of any kind....and this is much the way she grew up eating..l
Carbs have always...been at the bottom of importance..So it is pretty much the way I grew up eating...potatoes...not even once a week..for example..we had a huge potato thing (for us) at Christmas...we had a large standing rib roast...just the 2 of us..we pigged on it until gone...nearly a week....the first night we had a huge slice of beef..a med baked potato.. I mean one...we cut it in half long ways and slathered in with butter..always butter but not any type of substitute fat...then piled on the sour cream...we use lots of salt..but mostly Real Salt...a brand from the US..it has tons of trace minerals..which a body craves..then we steamed broccoli...we had a huge pile of steamed broccoli with salt, and melted butter..and a few black olives..and half a potato each...
The day before Christmas I made peanut soup...a huge amount...again fits the new pyramid..it is butter..celery, carrots, onions finely chopped..yes carbs..lol..a few tablespoons of organic white flour to thicken...chicken broth...never low fat..then a couple of cups of ground peanuts..go to the health food and grind them or use organic..and heavy cream at the end..we had soup during the day..while smelling the roast..and everyday until it was gone...

DHs parents were horribly and grossly over weight....he was on his way...to being overweight...they seemed to inhale carbs...Until he moved out..he began eating less food..on his own..after us... he began eating what I fixed..more meat, veggies and fruit...that has been going on for 50 years now...his family thought was was starving him. .
He is mid seventies..6 feet tall with a 31inch waist..he does eat more carbs than I do but not a lot...he can still work all day..funny thing it was many years back taking to a girl friend..a few months older than me..and she said something about taking naps in the middle of the day...it truly shocked me...I said something like what...the last time...I took a nap was in elementary school when we had towels and took naps ..really scooted around on the floor in the dark..she was shocked..that I didn't take naps..said everyone did..told DH..he was still working full time..and was flabbergasted..i think carbs make you sleepy...I think most people also eat lots more food than they need..

I havemno scientific proof...but believe that a lot of health problems come what you eat...that a lot of stuff that eat people is the same as what their parents ate..DHs Dad had lots of heart problems, so did his father but DH has NONE..., interestingly DH had a half brother who for other reasons lived with his parents...he was no blood relation to DHs father but he developed the same "family" heart problems.. was also grossly over weight...both DHs father and his half brother had bypass surgery..the brother had 2 and the father had one..so not heredity but diet ???...both lived on RX drugs...and bad for you food..until they passed...You are what you eat..the older I get the less I want to do anything with doctors..I'm convinced that medical profession will hate the new food pyramid....as for me I love it..
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
Bob's Red Mill is a good brand of vital wheat gluten. I haven't made a lot of rye bread, mostly because I'd have to go to Whole Foods or similar store to get rye flour. Wheat is much easier for me to find.

I'm glad that you are experimenting! Bread making is a great skill to have.

As for me, I'm having some minor insurance medical insurance problems and waiting for a call back. I went from having one insurance plan to now having to deal with Medicare parts B, G, and D. I haven't taken ss, yet, but when I do, I will let that pay for parts B and D. That should simplify my life a bit, LOL! (Nothing that involves the gov't is simple.)
 
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SouthernBreeze

TB Fanatic
Bob's Red Mill is a good brand of vital wheat gluten. I haven't made a lot of rye bread, mostly because I'd have to go to Whole Foods or similar store to get rye flour. Wheat is much easier for me to find.

Bob's Red Mill flours is the brand I use. Walmart seldom has it in-store, so I order online from them. That's the brand of vital wheat gluten I'll get, too. I'm looking forward to using the wheat gluten in all my breads, especially the honey whole wheat bread. It doesn't rise as well as I'd like it to, and it's crumbly. Maybe, adding the gluten will help with that.
 

anna43

Veteran Member
It's a perfect winter day with lots of sun, little 4 mph breeze and currently 49º. I worked out in the garage a bit, washed car windows, bagged pop cans for pickup and picked up my solar lights from yard that were plowed out when the guy used his Ranger to do the sidewalk and flower bed. He was a younger guy, so I suppose was allergic to using a shovel to just do the sidewalk. I have to admit I'm dreading the return to winter and possibility of ICE ... the frozen water kind not law enforcement. Days like today make a person forget it's only January not April. It's also amazing that a beautiful day like today makes you forget the last week/10 days of dreary sunless days.

I didn't pay attention to the last two or three food pyramids and won't this one. I'm old and in general good health, not overweight and not interested in changing the way I eat. I have enough headaches dealing with allergies, plus colitis and kidney stone diets to consider anything else. Everything (except numerous prohibited foods) in moderation is my motto and I'm sticking to it.

I just finished getting the final items purchased yesterday into their places, so countertops are again visible.

So far, I'm staying on track with my Bible in a year reading and my physical therapy. I wonder how long after starting therapy exercises, I'll begin noticing improvement. I can already notice the stretched muscles being looser when I'm moving about.
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
I imagine you'll see some improvement after 3 - 4 sessions, but 8 - 9 sessions will likely encourage you to keep going.

I need to do more with light weight training. I'm doing a good job right now with keeping up with my steps, but my arms and shoulders need workouts so that I'll be able to shovel, rake, and sweep, at least a little.
 

Wildwood

Veteran Member
Bob's Red Mill flours is the brand I use. Walmart seldom has it in-store, so I order online from them. That's the brand of vital wheat gluten I'll get, too. I'm looking forward to using the wheat gluten in all my breads, especially the honey whole wheat bread. It doesn't rise as well as I'd like it to, and it's crumbly. Maybe, adding the gluten will help with that.
I can't tolerate the added gluten....kills my stomach. Naturally developed gluten doesn't cause me near the issues.
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
Per the National Weather Service, we broke the record high for this date: it was 60 degrees. Normal highs are in the 30s.

I would be worried if we had a week of these record-breaking temperatures, but it'll be more seasonal tomorrow. I covered the bulbs with a little more mulch and gave my little tree some more mulch, too. That will help keep a little of the heavy rain expected tomorrow from drowning the roots.
 

anna43

Veteran Member
Forecast of rain/snow which leave space for ice in-between which is most worrying part for me. No watches or warnings at present and I'm hoping it stays that way. I did local errands today and my big shop yesterday so I'm ready to hunker down for as long as needed. High here did not make it to forecasted 52º but nice enough I'm not complaining!! Temps for tomorrow 39º high/28º low along with rain/snow.
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
Yes, I hope any road ice is short-lived. I'm prepared to stay in until Monday, and then I need to go back to work, but June and retirement is on the way!

(had to add "road" to ice -- I fully support our ICE agents!)
 
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Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
It's back into the upper 30s, no rain yet. I forget that I had some additional errands to complete yesterday, so I'll go do those before the rain and dropping temperatures are a problem.

I'm heating up water for tea, which will go in my travel mug. I was gifted with some frozen breakfast sandwiches when a neighbor cleaned out her fridge, which I have heating in the microwave. I have a bad feeling about those, so I also put some Greek yogurt and a little of my homemade granola into one of the lunch containers.

I'm not looking forward to the return of winter. I really enjoyed doing things outside yesterday!

Wishing everyone a good day!
 

Digger

Veteran Member
This has been a busy week. Monday, we had the grandkids. Their dad was about 15 minutes late getting off work. That may have been God looking out for them. There were 2 wrecks about the time they would have been traveling through the area.

Tuesday we went to town to run errands. Hubby needed parts for the tractor. We got what we could and ordered the rest. We also dropped off several chain saw chains to be sharpened. Hubby touches them up, but after a while they need more than his back can stand. They work like new when we pick them up.

Yesterday we did my job for the month. Things weren't too bad but it takes most of the day. The ladies at the trash transfer station recognize me now and never charge me if I only have 1-2 bags of trash. Yesterday was 1 but we use contractors bags so it quite a bit of trash. Yesterday was was in the 60s. It was a nice day to be outside. I am usually cold doing my job in the winter.

I took some knives to a supposedly professional sharpening service. They weren't any sharper and maybe not as sharp as when I dropped them off. Hubby does a better job. I wanted a razor edge. But none of them are even close. Hubby gets them sharp, but not that razor edge. I have tried to use a stone, but I don't have the know how and my family are all gone that did. To skin and butcher, you need a sharp knife. I have a project to do, but I may just take it to a taxidermist.

I m working on my tax papers. If I would be more diligent through the year it would help. I guess that should be my new years resolution.

Have a good day everyone
 

SouthernBreeze

TB Fanatic
Another heavy fog overnight and this morning. It was so heavy and thick that it was actually dripping off the roof. 72 for our high, today, with storms moving in around midnight. The second round comes tomorrow afternoon, which is supposed to be the worse of the two. Possible tornadoes with both rounds. I don't like overnight severe weather, but that seems to be when we get the worst of it. We never go to bed when it's storming, and always sleep with our clothes on if severe weather is possible. Cary on the sofa and me in the recliner ready to get into our safe place at a moments notice.

Mom called this morning letting me know that little Maddie has passed. She is the one who had Huntington's disease. Her whole family have been close family friends for years. Her service will be, Sunday.

Lillie, the little girl that got mauled by the pit bull is having another reconstructive surgery on one of her ears next week. She has several more surgeries to go, but is doing well.
 

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
This has been a busy week. Monday, we had the grandkids. Their dad was about 15 minutes late getting off work. That may have been God looking out for them. There were 2 wrecks about the time they would have been traveling through the area.

Tuesday we went to town to run errands. Hubby needed parts for the tractor. We got what we could and ordered the rest. We also dropped off several chain saw chains to be sharpened. Hubby touches them up, but after a while they need more than his back can stand. They work like new when we pick them up.

Yesterday we did my job for the month. Things weren't too bad but it takes most of the day. The ladies at the trash transfer station recognize me now and never charge me if I only have 1-2 bags of trash. Yesterday was 1 but we use contractors bags so it quite a bit of trash. Yesterday was was in the 60s. It was a nice day to be outside. I am usually cold doing my job in the winter.

I took some knives to a supposedly professional sharpening service. They weren't any sharper and maybe not as sharp as when I dropped them off. Hubby does a better job. I wanted a razor edge. But none of them are even close. Hubby gets them sharp, but not that razor edge. I have tried to use a stone, but I don't have the know how and my family are all gone that did. To skin and butcher, you need a sharp knife. I have a project to do, but I may just take it to a taxidermist.

I m working on my tax papers. If I would be more diligent through the year it would help. I guess that should be my new years resolution.

Have a good day everyone
For a single project that needs a *very* sharp knife, consider buying an Exacto craft knife and a pack of blades.

Summerthyme
 

Digger

Veteran Member
For a single project that needs a *very* sharp knife, consider buying an Exacto craft knife and a pack of blades.

Summerthyme
We did consider that option. I may use it on less valuable hides. But I have decided to let the taxidermist do this one. It's the first bobcat I have gotten my hands on, and I picked it up off the highway after dropping the kids off with their dad. I haven't tanned many hides either. I would hate to mess it up.
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
Finished! And just in time. The cold front is moving in.

Back to house projects. And cleaning. I'm going to save up and treat myself to a helper, and we'll go around and do all of the windows, one of us in and the other outside. That will be a nice belated birthday present, along with a foot massage (I'm celebrating my birthday in June this year.)

And, no, I'm not turning into a Karen, but there's bird poo outside and misc staining inside. It's time for a full window clean, especially since I didn't get the house washed (just washed, not pressure washed) last summer.
 
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