Preparing for Holiday Gatherings

I love this time of year with Thanksgiving fast approaching and Christmas just around the corner. Some of my happiest memories include holiday gatherings with family and friends. By planning and preparing now to entertain, we can help "make the season bright" for others as well as ourselves.

In an article entitled "Please Be Seated" by Shari Well, she writes, "People often avoid entertaining because they assume it's too expensive, too time consuming, and possibly outdated. But psychologists tell us that it is important for our mental and emotional health to gather friends at the dinner table and entertain. If you keep entertaining simple and fun, it can become a wonderful family tradition."

Shari shares tips on:

• Getting Organized for a Party
• Making Purchasing Decisions
• "Painting" the Table
• "Painting" the Plate
• Desserts

She concludes with, "After working all week, many may not feel like entertaining. Yes, it's a little extra work, but there are many benefits. You have an outlet for creativity, you will form closer friendships and family relationships, and you'll have an opportunity to make new friends. Remember to cook with your heart and record the memories and the recipes for your loved ones."

(Source: Shari Wells, "Please Be Seated", LDS Living Magazine)

For some other fun holiday gathering ideas check out these posts from Skip To My Lou:

Breakfast With Santa
Pajama Party

Great Christmas Gift List

Someone has put together a "Great Christmas Gift List" for 72-hour kits at: http://www.farmington.utah.gov/downloads/services/72_hour_kits.pdf.

One Year Anniversary

I've learned a lot about preparedness and food storage during this past year and hope you have, too. Here are some good reminders from last year's post:

1. BEGIN WHERE YOU ARE:
Think about what you are already doing and what you have already in store.
Make an inventory of what you have.
Make a list of what you need.

2. SET GOALS:
Decide what you want to work on (ie. three-month supply, drinking water, financial reserve, longer-term supply, 72 hour kit, etc.)
Set reasonable goals (ie. weekly plan, monthly plan)

3. DO SOMETHING:
We can't do everything all at once, but we can do something.
Begin today!

Best wishes in your quest to prepare and enjoy the peace that preparedness brings!

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds (Tutorial)

Got pumpkin seeds? We do! This year I decided to try roasting some (never have before.) So I got online and looked at a variety of recipes and kind of came up with one of my own.

As we were carving our pumpkins from our garden Saturday afternoon, I saved about two cups of seeds. I carefully washed and rinsed them in a colander with small holes and let them drain. Then I lined my cookie sheet with a non-stick cooking sheet and spread out the seeds to dry.

One recipe I read recommended letting the seeds air-dry for 24 hours. (My drying time turned into two days.) This step helped make it easier to clean the pumpkin residue from the seeds. Some people prefer the extra pumpkin flavor, so leaving it on is entirely optional.

ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS

2 cups pumpkin seeds
2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
1 teaspoon cinnamon (or 1 teaspoon: cayenne, garlic powder, cumin, curry, any favorite spice)
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon ground sea salt

Remove seeds from pumpkin and rinse with water to remove any remaining pulp.

Spread seeds on a cookie sheet and let dry 24 hours.

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix oil with spices and/or salt and toss mixture with seeds.

Spread coated seeds over a baking sheet.

Bake seeds approximately 25 minutes or until crisp and very lightly browned,

tossing occasionally.

Let cool. Makes 2 cups.

ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS
2 cups pumpkin seeds
2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
1 teaspoon cinnamon (or 1 teaspoon: cayenne, garlic powder, cumin, curry, any favorite spice)
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon ground sea salt

Remove seeds from pumpkin and rinse with water to remove any remaining pulp. Spread seeds on a cookie sheet and let dry 24 hours.

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix oil with spices and/or salt and toss mixture with seeds. Spread coated seeds over a baking sheet. Bake seeds approximately 25 minutes or until crisp and very lightly browned, tossing occasionally. Let cool. Makes 2 cups.

Do you have a favorite Pumpkin Seed recipe?

Happy Halloween!

Twice Blessed - Donating Food Storage

Do you have cans or cases of food nearing expiration? Don't let it go to waste - donate it to a local food bank. Not only will you have had the peace of mind knowing that you had food available on your shelf, but you will also bless others who are now in need.

This would also be a good time to re-evaluate your family's likes and dislikes as you replenish your storage. I over-estimated how much chili my family would eat the last time I purchased an entire case. As the expiration date draws near, I'm making plans to make a donation to my local food bank before it expires. No guilt, no waste - twice blessed.

For information about Utah Food Bank Services, go here.

Pear Freezer Jam Tutorial

If you're canning pears, be sure to set some fresh pears aside to make this delicious jam. (Even if you're not canning pears, go buy some fresh pears and try making it.) It's gotta be my favorite!

BALL SIMPLE CREATIONS
NO COOK PEAR FREEZER JAM

4 cups crushed fresh pears

(peel pears and remove seeds before crushing)

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 (1.59 oz.) pkg. Ball Simple Creations No Cook Freezer Jam Fruit Pectin

5 (8 oz.) glass or plastic freezer jars

1. Stir sugar and contents of package in a bowl until well blended.

2. Stir in 4 cups crushed fruit. Stir 3 minutes longer.

3. Ladle jam into clean jars to fill line. Twist on lids. Let stand until thickened, about 30 minutes.

4. Refrigerate for up to 3 weeks, or freeze for up to one year.

Makes 5 (8 oz.) half pints.

Ball has created a demonstration on how to make strawberry freezer jam. You can see it at: http://www.freshpreserving.com/pages/quick___easy_videos/33.php

Principles of Self-Reliance

While going for a walk the other day, I listened to a talk given by Silvia H. Allred entitled, "Principles of Self-Reliance" on my mp3 player. Today I decided to look it up on the internet and found a pdf of her talk. If you'd like to read it in its entirety, click here.

She has personally experienced an unexpected family tragedy as a child, the financial collapse of Argentina in 1989, and "the devastating effects of earthquakes in El Salvador and Chile." She said, "These events have taught me to follow the counsel of our leaders about living the principles of self-reliance."

"There are many other types of adversities we might encounter in the normal course of our lives, such as loss of a job, accidents, divorce, health problems, death, etc. Those who prepare are blessed in the present and will be blessed if adversity comes.

"Family preparedness is a well-established welfare principle, and women are instrumental in family preparedness. We prepare for difficult times. We prepare for the day of scarcity. We put away for emergencies. We save for a rainy day."

Some other highlights from her talk:

Personal and Family Finances -

"The two overriding principles of sound financial management are: first, live within your means, and second: save for a rainy day.

"What does it mean to live within your means, and how do you do it? It simply means to ensure that your expenses are less than your income." ...

"The second principle is to save for a rainy day. Keep in mind that small sums saved regularly, over time, compound into large sums of money. Financial advisors agree that saving at least 10 percent of your income will provide flexibility and security in your future." ...

Home Storage -

"We have been advised to acquire and store a reserve of basic food and water that will sustain our lives during difficult times or in emergencies. By following this counsel, we will help protect ourselves if adversity comes. Through careful planning and faithful efforts, we can gradually store a supply of food according to our circumstances."

"Begin modestly by purchasing a few extra items of food that are part of your normal family diet. You can do it when you do your normal grocery shopping. Take advantage of items that are on sale. Here are just a few other ideas:

• Complete a three-day supply of basic food items and then build your storage to a one-week supply.
• Gradually increase it until you have a one-month supply, two month supply, three-month supply.
• Consider items that will keep and store well, such as wheat, beans, rice and canned goods.
• Concentrate on essentials.
• Create a rotating system to avoid spoilage.
• Water should be stored in leak-proof containers and should be kept away from heat sources.
• Prepare a 72-hour emergency kit for each family member and keep them within easy reach.
• Be prudent. Don’t go to extreme measures to store food. Be obedient and faithful, and God will sustain you through trials."

Physical Health -

"The state of our health affects every facet of our lives: our feeling of well-being, our attitudes, our social interactions and our service to others.

"Habits that contribute to our physical health are:

• Eating nutritious meals.
• Exercising regularly.
• Getting adequate sleep.
• Practicing hygiene and sanitation.
• Avoiding substance abuse."

She concludes with:

"To be self-reliant in all these, we should:

• Assess current circumstances.
• Set realistic goals.
• Identify available resources.
• Make specific plans to reach goals, and follow such plans.

"I know that sound personal and family financial management, home storage, and physical health will be a great blessing to our families. Being self-reliant increases our ability to serve others, to assist the needy, and to give support and understanding to the emotionally-starved. Through righteous living, gospel study, and loving family relationships, we can achieve self–reliance and family preparedness, which will help us solve many of life’s problems." ...

I appreciate her words of wisdom. Thank you Sister Allred!

(Source: Silvia H. Allred, "Principles of Self-Reliance," May 1, 2008)