Marti’s Corner – 01

Hi Everyone.  My name is Marti Shelley.  I’m so happy to be working with Kris and his team.  I’ve never thought of myself as a “prepper” – more like a “preparer”. (Is there even a difference?)   I’ve been canning food since the 70’s.  (Long time, right?)  I have seven children and 18 grandchildren.  I’ve learned so much over the years and made many mistakes, and am still learning.  I invite you to join me this year as I focus on getting better prepared for ANYTHING.  (Maybe not a Zombie Invasion, but I don’t discount aliens.)

I’ve been thinking about my upcoming garden and when to start my seeds indoors for planting.  I’ve already started my tomatoes because I want them to be about 12 weeks old when they go outside.  And then I found this gem:  Seed-Starting Date Calculator | for Starting Seedlings Indoors | Johnny’s Selected Seeds  It’s an interactive worksheet.  YOU put in your last frost date (I put in March 1) and it tells you when to plant your seedlings indoors so they’ll be ready.  Awesome!  

If you are wondering what that looks like at my house, here you go.

The plants just sit on my kitchen counter.  If it’s a nice day, I take them outside for some sun, but I set a timer and only let them stay outside for an hour or so.  They’re babies after all.  All my windows are tinted, so they don’t get good sun inside.  Anyway, starting your plants inside is a good way to get extra growing time.  In my zone (9B), once the temps start reading 95-100, plants shut down.  They don’t like the excessive heat. So I want as much harvest as possible before that happens.

If you don’t know your zone:  check out this page https://www.gurneys.com/hardiness_zone

You put in your zip code and not only does it tell you your zone, but tells you which plants will grow best in your area.

LONG TERM FOCUS:  January – Oats

My focus this month is Oats.  Oats are part of the “whole grain” section of storage.  The recommended amount to store is 400 lbs of whole grains per person.  If this seems like a lot, consider that it includes wheat, rice, oats, and many other types of grains.  Also, consider that 400 lbs are barely over 1 lb a day.  

We don’t eat a lot of oatmeal at my house, because we have access to fresh eggs.  But in a crisis, oatmeal could become a staple food.  My father remembers that during the depression, they often ate oatmeal for dinner just to have something filling to eat.

Oats are available in #10 cans through several sites (just google it).  But, your best bet is the grocery store.  Oats usually sell for about $3.25 for a large cylinder container.  I just buy them and stick them in the back of the closet – no special packaging necessary provided you don’t have rodents or a water leak.  I DO have oats in #10 cans, but I find they have a smell I don’t like when opened.  Some have suggested that you air them out by pouring the oats back and forth between bowls.  I’m sure that when the time comes, I’ll find a way to cook them or flavor them so they are edible.  Meanwhile, just buy and store as is.  Number 10 cans can be stored for years!  If you are storing as is, be sure to rotate.  Don’t like oatmeal?  Try making no-bake cookies.  (The recipe is below) Yum!

SHORT TERM FOCUS:  Pancake mix

You don’t need pancake mix, of course.  You probably already have ingredients to make pancakes.  But the mix is just so darn easy – and frankly, I like the Krusteaz mix better than homemade.  The problem with the add-water mix is that the leavenings will go bad after about a year.  You can add some baking powder to the mix for another year, but then, it’s just not good anymore – looks and tastes like sawdust (just guess how I know this?).  So now I only store what I can eat in a year.  For the two of us, this is a Family Size open on the shelf, and 2 more in storage – dated, so I can rotate them.  Is it enough for a year?  Probably not.  But then I’m not throwing away food either.

72 HOUR KIT FOCUS: small water bottles and Sillcock key

Water is heavy to carry around.  I don’t have any water in my 72-hour kit.  Instead, I have an empty water bottle and a Sillcock key.

Never heard of a Sillcock key?  Check out this video from DropForged Survival  Key to the CITY! Most Important Urban Survival Tool!

You will need a water bottle to carry water if you have any dehydrated or freeze-dried food in your kit. I do.  In fact, I have oatmeal.  Which means I need water and a small metal pot.  Something like a mess kit will work.

I also have a flat of water I can throw in my car if I need to evacuate.  If that is your plan, make sure you write water on your “What I Need to Grab In An Emergency” sheet that is taped to the inside of your kitchen pantry door.

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES: (just in case you actually have to eat what you have stored)

Five-Grain Quick Bread

From the Betty Crocker Whole Grains cookbook

Quick breads do not have yeast and don’t need time to rise.  AND, this recipe is loaded with fiber from the oats and wheat flour.  Great to serve with soup or when entertaining.

1 c. 5-grain rolled whole-grain cereal OR old-fashioned oats.  

2 c. whole wheat flour

1 c. all-purpose flour

1/3 c. brown sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cream of tartar

3/4 tsp salt

Whisk dry ingredients together.

1/4 c. cold butter.  Cut into flour mix.

1/2 c. golden raisins optional.  (I like raisins, but not always in bread.  I’ll probably omit this.)

In a small bowl mix:

1 egg

1 1/2 c. buttermilk

Reserve 1 TBS of this mix to brush on bread before baking.

Stir buttermilk mixture into dry ingredients until moistened.  Turn out on the floured surface and knead 5 – 6 times until dough is combined.  Shape dough on a greased cookie sheet, into a 7-in round.  Cut a large X  1/4 inch deep into the top of the dough.  Brush top with reserved buttermilk mix.

Bake 30-35 min at 375 degrees until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.  Cool slightly before serving.

No-Bake Cookies

This is a pretty common recipe and can easily be found online if you want nutritional information.  (I’m pretty sure there is none — nutritional value that is)

½ c. milk

2 c. sugar

½ c. butter 

¼ c. cocoa

Boil together for 1 minute.  Remove and immediately add:

¾ c. peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla

3 c. oats

Drop by spoonfuls onto tin foil or parchment paper.  Let cool.

LIST OF LINKS:

https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/seed-planting-schedule-calculator.html

This is a link from Johnny Seeds.  I actually order a lot through them.

https://www.gurneys.com/hardiness_zone

This is from the Gurney’s Seed company.  It is an interactive page.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEkooX5yjzQ

This is a YouTube video explaining what a Silcock key is and how to use it.  I just chose one at random from another great prepper in the YouTube community.