Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: July 5 ~ 11, 2020

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
You could always can the ground beef.

Judy

I may consider doing that later if I have to. It's way too hot to do it outside right now. Yes, I have to do all my canning outside on my turkey fryer stand. My stove is useless for canning. It has all of those new fangled bells and whistles with safety features built in that won't allow me to use it for canning purposes. I hate that about it.
 

rosepath

Member
My new stove is the same, SouthernBreeze, not possible to keep the temps up for canning. I wouldn't have believed it till I tried, but if a burner is on for over 10 minutes, it cuts the power to the burner and the heat stops. Wish I still had my 1960's electric workhorse, that was a great stove, they stopped making parts for it :(
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
My new stove is the same, SouthernBreeze, not possible to keep the temps up for canning. I wouldn't have believed it till I tried, but if a burner is on for over 10 minutes, it cuts the power to the burner and the heat stops. Wish I still had my 1960's electric workhorse, that was a great stove, they stopped making parts for it :(

We must have the same stove! That's exactly what mine does. I even tried talking to the man that sold it to me at Lowe's to see if I could replace the large burner with a regular one. He said, "NO'. It sure sucks, but it's what I got.
 

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We have always had gas ranges. When we looked at houses to buy, having gas appliances or having the option to change to gas was a big deal for us.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We have always had gas ranges. When we looked at houses to buy, having gas appliances or having the option to change to gas was a big deal for us.

I've never owned a gas stove. We use very little electricity, and to have a gas "anything" would incur another bill for us (paying for propane). We try to live as simple and debt free as possible. I cook on my wood stove during the cooler months, and grill a lot during the summer.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I've had both gas and electric stoves. Mostly I prefer a gas stove, I have a wonderful gas stove in storage, we could put it in the house but it would be a big project. I've decided to put it on my screened in porch. The porch is on the side of the house so the front door does not open onto it. We can put the stove up next to the inside wall and it should be find when it rains. I can can out there, if I ever work myself up to canning and I can certainly cook out there when its hot or the electricity goes out.,

The best stove I've ever had was a 1950's stove and it was 36 inches wide, gas of course. I had to leave it when we moved one time because where we were moving already had a stove and we had no place to store it.

Judy
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We do not like ground beef canned. I have tried it several different ways. We do like canned chicken though.

I've heard several people say that they don't like canned ground beef. Even if I had the means, I don't think we would like it. I use canned chicken all the time, though. One of my grandmothers always canned all of her homemade sausages. They sure didn't taste like fresh sausage patties to me. So, some things we probably wouldn't like canned. There are some veggies I'd rather have frozen than canned, too.
 
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nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I went to walmart yesterday, I wish I could afford to shop elsewhere but I can't. However, I did notice some holes, only a handful of packages of paper towels like almost none, there was some TP, don't need any, I scored a 300 package of 9" paper plates. It was the only one, canned foods were spread out in an attempt to cover up the big holes in them. I was able to get what I wanted though. Rice section was low and spread out, dried beans not too bad, but darn they are more expensive. The cheapest bean was lentils, but I have enough lentils to sink a battle ship. I found one container of DH's beloved orange slices, I sure wish I'd never tasted them, yum yum.

I wanted to go to dollar tree, but DH was tired so while at wm I replaced a few things I usually get at dollar tree.

I also got two cases of water, got a few more before I replace what I had when all this crap started, I guess back in March. E-gads where has this year gone. The water section was in pretty good supply except for the gallon size, very low there and none of the kind I like to get. I like to keep the gallon size for some things I cook that require water, like soups. I looked for a bone in ham but saw none, there were several packages of bacon ends and pieces, more than they usually stock, but I've already got s few packages in the freezer so I passed on them.

I may go on my own to another town to dollar tree in a day or so.

I was going to replace the few cans of lentils that I get from Vitacost for 1.00 each, but they are out of stock. so handy to open a can, although it doesn't take long to cook lentils, I think lentils are my favorite bean, although I don't think I've ever tasted a bean that I didn't like. Although some people cook them in a way I don't care for.

God is good, all the time.

Judy
 
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aviax2

Veteran Member
We got the things in this week that I had ordered, still have some things to put away. As DH was lugging things downstairs I told him “there goes your wife making more work for you”! He replied that he was glad it was down there.

I’ve canned meats before and although we weren’t crazy about the ground beef it wasn’t too horrible, so I’m thinking about doing a few jars and trying it for tacos and casseroles to see how that works. I don’t do too much canning like I once did when the kids were home but I definitely want to get some chicken and beef canned up and out of the freezer.

I’m trying to locate some wheat berries with no luck (in my price range). I had some whole wheat flour in my online cart last night but was waiting until this morning to order. I got online this morning and my cart said it was out of stock. I’m not having any luck finding any online. There is a Mennonite store about 45 minutes away so I’ll probably put a call into them soon.

AviaAnn
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Tomorrow isn't our normal shopping run, but Cary needs to go to Walgreen to pick up meds that his doctor has called in, and across the street is the new grocery store I now shop. I'm going to look in both places to see if they have any sales that I can take advantage of. I don't really need anything, but I can hardly pass up sales on items I use regularly.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
There is an LDS home storage center where I use to live. I'd drive by and for some reason I was afraid to go in, but when I finally did the people were so very nice and helpful. Years ago when I was buying long term food storage I ordered quite a bit from them. Last year I ordered a couple of cases from them, one was onions and I can't remember what the other one was. Their prices have always been reasonable to me and the shipping is quick.

Judy
 

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
There is an LDS home storage center where I use to live. I'd drive by and for some reason I was afraid to go in, but when I finally did the people were so very nice and helpful. Years ago when I was buying long term food storage I ordered quite a bit from them. Last year I ordered a couple of cases from them, one was onions and I can't remember what the other one was. Their prices have always been reasonable to me and the shipping is quick.

Judy
I have found their prices to be about 1/2 of other LTS food vendors.
 

prudentwatcher

Veteran Member
Quick stop at Save-A-Lot today. Mainly canned beans, soup, and pizza crust mix. Tomorrow will be a trip to Sam's to stock a few more items and that should put us over the top. I was going to wait until the end of July to go, but I don't like the way things are looking right now, so decided to do it early. Should be about $100 or so, but I also put in an order from Amazon that should arrive on Saturday, so I am pretty set. Might keep buying sugar each time I go to the store until the storage container is full, but otherwise we should be down to just regular rotation of groceries. Time to shift to non-food stuff. That list isn't too long and nothing on it is "crucial", but all "nice to have". Will buy as money comes available.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I have found their prices to be about 1/2 of other LTS food vendors.

I've found that to be true also. I don't know whether it was panic or being prudent about 12 years ago I really stocked up on LTF storage, from LDS and a couple of other places. My intention for it has been for LTS only, I've not used any of it. Last year I bought a bit of Thrive Life and I've use a couple of things from them. All was fine, ultimately I thought it was just too expensive to use regularly.

About the same time I really stocked up on canned foods and when I moved to the woods 10 years ago I brought most of the canned food with me. Unfortunately it was just too much food for one person to make much of dent in and after several years (and being stored in my school bus) I ended up throwing more out than I used, but it was several years past the date, I learned a lesson from that experience. It was cases and cases of food. The pigs enjoyed all of it.

Judy
 

Digger

Veteran Member
I got my tooth worked on. I have a temporary crown and go back in 2 weeks for the permanent one.

While in town, we picked up another bag of corn to share and to freeze. I also went to Ross Dress for Less and bought underwear for me and some new towels and wash rags. I had not bought new towels in 20 years except the one I got to put out when company comes.:lkick:

I inventoried my canning lids. I wish I had more small mouth flats. But I should have plenty. But if I see some on the shelf, I am buying a few more. I am sure I have more small mouth jars than wide mouth jars.

I made some more pickles and dug more potatoes. The garden is doing well this year. We got another half inch of rain yesterday. Next week should be more normal for July. Dry and about 97 to 102 or so degrees.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
So, I went to Walgreen's this morning to pick up Cary's meds, hoping to shop for any sales they might have going. There were sales all over the store, but the tags said the sales were with a member's card only. What? I didn't know you could get a card. Is it something like a membership card? I didn't ask when checking out, even though the cashier asked me if I wanted one. Don't know if I do or not. Anyone have one, and is it worth it? I'd like more info, before jumping in on it.
 

psychgirl

Has No Life - Lives on TB
So, I went to Walgreen's this morning to pick up Cary's meds, hoping to shop for any sales they might have going. There were sales all over the store, but the tags said the sales were with a member's card only. What? I didn't know you could get a card. Is it something like a membership card? I didn't ask when checking out, even though the cashier asked me if I wanted one. Don't know if I do or not. Anyone have one, and is it worth it? I'd like more info, before jumping in on it.
Yes, I’ve had a Walgreens card for ages! AFAIK , you need to scan it like the Kroger type card to get the sales price.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Yes, I’ve had a Walgreens card for ages! AFAIK , you need to scan it like the Kroger type card to get the sales price.

Do I have to pay anything to get one? Since I've stopped shopping at Walmart, there are certain items that I can get at Walgreen's instead. So, I'll be a regular shopper there from now on. If the card gives me advantages, that's a super deal. There were so many sales that I could have bought today, if only I had the card.

Thanks!
 

psychgirl

Has No Life - Lives on TB
No, I just asked for one o think but been so long ago. Now, there “are” certain things you have to register on this online thing I’ve never done before but the basic card is just like a Kroger card.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I have a walgreens card also, its free. I don't actually go there very often and usually forget to check the sales. Most of what I buy I've found other sources that are budget friendly. The nearest store is 30 miles away and I don't go to town very often. As for Kroger, the nearest one to me is 70 miles away and I haven't been that way since the wuflu BS started, but I do like to shop at Kroger, their brands are good and their sale prices are always a good savings. Forever when I shopped I always checked the ingredents of everything looking for the most nutritious foods with the least offensive (to me) additives. In the last year I have relaxed that habit just to be sure to have a good supply of short to medium term foods available. There are still some things I still would not touch with a ten foot pole. Some canned foods are just plain nasty. My thinking is that in a bad situation one still needs to be mindful of eating the best way we can and not just eat crap because it is long time shelf stable. Keeping good health is important.

I've probably said this before, but when I moved to the woods ten years ago I was shocked that people still eat white bread. DH eats it but he's not a person that requires bread at every meal. Just the occasional sandwich, although he does love his fresh tomato sandwiches. My personal bread preference is Ezekiel, although it is somewhat of an equired taste.

One thing that I've stocked up on a bit has been stove top stuffing (awful ingredients), its tasty and filling with a big can of canned chicken. Its not something I'd eat very often (twice in the last year) but its here if needed.

God is good, all the time.

Judy
 

psychgirl

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Lol I love stove top! I keep an extra box or two around just for fun :)

Thanksgiving food is my fav!! (Except I got stomach flu the morning after TG last year and I’m not so sure vomiting up green bean casserole and stove top ruined it for me... or not :devilish::hof:)
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Ok, thanks, ya'll! My normal shopping day is a week away, and I will certainly sign up for the card while there. I don't plan to buy any food items there, but there are lots of things that simple grocery stores don't carry. My favorite shampoo and conditioner, plus other favorite items that I found while there today.
 

psychgirl

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Ok, thanks, ya'll! My normal shopping day is a week away, and I will certainly sign up for the card while there. I don't plan to buy any food items there, but there are lots of things that simple grocery stores don't carry. My favorite shampoo and conditioner, plus other favorite items that I found while there today.
I go there almost weekly... I love their sales and it’s close to the house.
I live in a secluded area but some stores are super close; you’d never know once you pull down our lane that we’re so “close to humanity” lol!
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Lol I love stove top! I keep an extra box or two around just for fun :)

Thanksgiving food is my fav!! (Except I got stomach flu the morning after TG last year and I’m not so sure vomiting up green bean casserole and stove top ruined it for me... or not :devilish::hof:)
I've never been a fan of stuffing, especially all the different types of home made, to me it tastes nasty. Besides DH I may be the only person around here that feels that way. LOL DH is not much on southern cooking anyway. I'm pretty much a plain cook so it doesn't much matter. There are things he likes that I would never ever cook, and I don't know how to fry anything, I usually burn it. That comes from a life time (73) of not frying or baking. I refuse to try anything new unless its healthy and not overly fattening. I made that mistake several months ago and ate an orange slice for the first time ever. Unfortunately I really like them and polished off several bags of them over the last few months, which certainly to my weight gain this last year.

Judy
 

paxsim2

Senior Member
I did a big pickup order from Walmart Monday which pretty much tops us off food wise. I just ordered a couple things for the first aid kit, we needed a new thermometer. One thing I need to restock is batteries, I'd also like to get a solar charger for our phones.
I harvested and froze several more quart bags of swiss chard and pulled the onions. The onions will be dehydrated for storage. The squash are doing well and my okra is coming up gangbusters. Can't wait for my own okra to cook and freeze.
 

prudentwatcher

Veteran Member
There is a Walgreens membership which costs $20 for a year and which gives you 20% off the prices in the store (not meds) and still allows you to earn the bonus points on the free Walgreens cards that gives you rebate points you can use as dollars off towards your bill.

I resisted on paying for the membership for a long time as Walgreens didn't have much I was interested in. But about the time the pandemic hit, they started having some really good sales on things like laundry detergent, cereal, coffee and other things I buy regularly. I caved and spent the $20 and had earned it back with the 20% discount in about a month.

There is a method to shopping at Walgreens now. In our area, they don't put out ads anymore, you have to look online. But online you can cut out "digital coupons" and add them to you regular card. There are special ones that will give you $5 in reward points when you spend $20 at one time. I used that one last week and then the register printed out a coupon for $6 in reward points when I spent $30 at one time. I hit the store again a few days later and used that one. Based on what I had before, I now have over $13 in my account to spend on just about anything I want. I just can't use it when I use one of those $5/$20 rewards (found that out before).

It just depends on whether or not Walgreens has what you need and puts it on sale and has it in stock as to whether it is worth it to spend the $20 on the member rewards card. The Walgreens I use is near where a lot of community college students live and that area is kind of empty right now, so there is usually stock in the store. The one nearest my house is really bad about being out of stock on items.

edit to add: the free card gives you points when purchasing prescriptions, but not much. The paid card doesn't do anything for prescriptions.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I ordered a Gibbs type knife, there were complaints that it was heavy but it can’t be nearly as heavy as the one I’m carrying now, I always have a knife in my pocket, along with a lighter, flashlight and a few other things.
God is good all the time,

judy
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
It's in the 90s with high humidity in Central Iowa, so I don't feel like cooking or even eating much. I make a lot of salads and try to add some cold beans and rice to them (complete protein).

I've been building new veggie bins for the basement out of salvage wood. I plan on putting away a lot of potatoes, winter squash, onions, and apples.

I'm trying to set it up so I don't have to go get food very often in town this fall. The farm family down the road has increased their chicken flock. I told them I will buy eggs weekly and will be interested in some whole chickens when the fryers go to freezer camp this fall.

Food storage is very important, but I'm also trying to eat a little less, and I've cut back on meat.
 

psychgirl

Has No Life - Lives on TB
It's in the 90s with high humidity in Central Iowa, so I don't feel like cooking or even eating much. I make a lot of salads and try to add some cold beans and rice to them (complete protein).

I've been building new veggie bins for the basement out of salvage wood. I plan on putting away a lot of potatoes, winter squash, onions, and apples.

I'm trying to set it up so I don't have to go get food very often in town this fall. The farm family down the road has increased their chicken flock. I told them I will buy eggs weekly and will be interested in some whole chickens when the fryers go to freezer camp this fall.

Food storage is very important, but I'm also trying to eat a little less, and I've cut back on meat.

I like your idea about putting up potatoes and apples in your basement. Our basement is really cool and chilly all of the time so I could do that, too right? I’m sure this is thread drift or something discussed elsewhere but will the food attract pests and mice?

Our full sized basement is poured concrete and I’ve only seen lots of spiders down there but the risk of bringing mice and other nasties inside would worry me.
 

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
First, you have to define "cool and damp". For apples, carrots and cabbage, the closer to freezing temperatures (without actually freezing) the longer they'll keep. Potatoes like it around 40-45 degrees.

Unless you have a way to bring in cold air from outside (which isn't advisable unless your cellar ceiling is well insulated... you're going to chill your house and increase your heat bill), your temp are likely not going to be below 50-55 degrees. Better than room temperature, but only for short term storage.

Onions, pumpkins, winter squashes like those temps, but not the damp...

Look into possibly walling off and insulating one corner of the basement as an actual root cellar. It really doesn't have to be very big... ours is 6'x8', and we store hundreds of pounds of apples, potatoes, carrots, cabbages, plus dozens of #10 cans of LTS food, a few cases of beer, etc.

Summerthyme
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
There is a Walgreens membership which costs $20 for a year and which gives you 20% off the prices in the store (not meds) and still allows you to earn the bonus points on the free Walgreens cards that gives you rebate points you can use as dollars off towards your bill.

I resisted on paying for the membership for a long time as Walgreens didn't have much I was interested in. But about the time the pandemic hit, they started having some really good sales on things like laundry detergent, cereal, coffee and other things I buy regularly. I caved and spent the $20 and had earned it back with the 20% discount in about a month.

There is a method to shopping at Walgreens now. In our area, they don't put out ads anymore, you have to look online. But online you can cut out "digital coupons" and add them to you regular card. There are special ones that will give you $5 in reward points when you spend $20 at one time. I used that one last week and then the register printed out a coupon for $6 in reward points when I spent $30 at one time. I hit the store again a few days later and used that one. Based on what I had before, I now have over $13 in my account to spend on just about anything I want. I just can't use it when I use one of those $5/$20 rewards (found that out before).

It just depends on whether or not Walgreens has what you need and puts it on sale and has it in stock as to whether it is worth it to spend the $20 on the member rewards card. The Walgreens I use is near where a lot of community college students live and that area is kind of empty right now, so there is usually stock in the store. The one nearest my house is really bad about being out of stock on items.

edit to add: the free card gives you points when purchasing prescriptions, but not much. The paid card doesn't do anything for prescriptions.

Thanks for letting me know that! I will check into it when I go next, too. I plan to do a lot of shopping at Walgreen, so I want to take advantage of the best deal possible in choosing which card to get.
 

Digger

Veteran Member
The bear was back last night. He damaged my other two hives. Then a bit later he was on my porch looking in the door at me. I am 5'6", he was only an inch or so shorter than me when standing on his hind legs. Usually I take care of critter problems myself, but I woke hubby up for this one. The bear will not be back. He had been on the neighbors porch also. He left the a poop pile on their porch. My dog was barking from the saftey of underneath the truck. I can't blame her either.

After our night time excitement, hubby passed his kidney stone. I hope we are done with excitement for a long time.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Finally I made it to a dollar tree yesterday, I spent way too much money. But I did restock a few things, although some of the canned foods I like from there were no where to be found. Good thing I have a good stock of them. I did buy some snackey stuff and they have a couple of brands of jerkey that I like, problem is I can't stay away from them when I do have them on hand. Hard candy I've vacuumed sealed and also other snacks that would do well stored that way.

I need more dog food, but I'm going to order that. The ten 3 1/2 gallon buckets that I ordered from walmart.com came yesterday, not to unbox them and get them filled.

someone mentioned Brillo pads and I bought a couple of boxes, although they are not something I use very often. But I have them just in case. DT had the sinus/allergy meds that work well for us in stock and I got 20 boxes, we try not to take these first but end up taking them if we have a headache.

Judy
 
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