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Farm Kitchen:  A Well Stocked Pantry  |
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StitchinWitch
True Blue Farmgirl
2135 Posts
Judith
Galt
CA
USA
2135 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 19 2020 : 7:06:44 PM
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Too bad we don't all have bidets like the French do -- that would cut down on the toilet paper problem :-)
Judith
7932
Happiness is Homemade |
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saram
True Blue Farmgirl
521 Posts
Sara
Biggs
CA
USA
521 Posts |
Posted - Mar 20 2020 : 08:30:13 AM
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Michele, thank you so much for reminding me of that strong farm girl spirit! I am disappointed in how often I spiral down the rabbit hole and all becomes doom and gloom. You have lifted me up! Please stay in the chat room, all of you, so we can boost each other when needed. I check in just for that: to get a little kick in my pants now and then!
Judith, is evaporated milk not the same thing?
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StitchinWitch
True Blue Farmgirl
2135 Posts
Judith
Galt
CA
USA
2135 Posts |
Posted - Mar 20 2020 : 10:19:48 AM
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Sara -- Evaporated milk is not the same. I think concentrated just had the water removed but evaporated milk is heat processed. Concentrated milk tasted like regular milk.
Judith
7932
Happiness is Homemade |
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Simple Living
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Joan
Staten Island
NY
USA
1402 Posts |
Posted - Mar 20 2020 : 11:02:38 AM
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Any suggestions on freezing red bell peppers, do I need to cook them first?
Put your hair up in a bun, drink some coffee and handle it.
Cards by Joan Creations on FB
Farmgirl #3842 |
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StitchinWitch
True Blue Farmgirl
2135 Posts
Judith
Galt
CA
USA
2135 Posts |
Posted - Mar 20 2020 : 11:19:05 AM
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We just cut them up, lay them on a cookie sheet, freeze them and put in a plastic bag in the freezer. I did read somewhere to blanch them first but I never found that necessary.
Judith
7932
Happiness is Homemade |
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Simple Living
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Joan
Staten Island
NY
USA
1402 Posts |
Posted - Mar 20 2020 : 11:33:07 AM
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Thanks Judith. I am going to try that.
Put your hair up in a bun, drink some coffee and handle it.
Cards by Joan Creations on FB
Farmgirl #3842 |
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saram
True Blue Farmgirl
521 Posts
Sara
Biggs
CA
USA
521 Posts |
Posted - Mar 25 2020 : 09:36:56 AM
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| I canned a lot of tomato juice last summer, and now I need to find ways to use it. Any ideas/ recipes to share? I was thinking of creating a red rice of sorts, maybe throw in some veggies and meat? |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6816 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6816 Posts |
Posted - Mar 25 2020 : 09:46:14 AM
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Sara, the red rice sounds good.
bloody Mary mix - Snappy Tom - soup
Here in Texas we drink red beer - beer & tomato juice with a dash or two of Tabasco sauce. I like it in the summer time.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015. & Feb 2019
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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StitchinWitch
True Blue Farmgirl
2135 Posts
Judith
Galt
CA
USA
2135 Posts |
Posted - Mar 25 2020 : 11:05:51 AM
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I used to can a lot of tomato juice but I also added other veggies to it so it came out like V-8. We drank a lot of it. Plain tomato juice is good to drink too but add a little salt to it or it doesn't taste right.
Judith
7932
Happiness is Homemade |
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saram
True Blue Farmgirl
521 Posts
Sara
Biggs
CA
USA
521 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2020 : 08:21:30 AM
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My hubby likes red beers in the summer, but he’s very picky about the mix he uses. I did convince him, last fall, to make a recipe we found online with some of my juice. It was a big deal, him creating in the kitchen! And I toyed with the idea of canning it as a Bloody Mary mix but the season was already so busy and I felt I was doing something good just not pouring it down the drain!
The red rice turned out very tasty but a bit soupy. I’d try it again with adjustments.
What is Snappy Tom?
You’re right that drinking it is very refreshing. I’ll take some to my mother. |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6816 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6816 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2020 : 10:34:33 AM
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Snappy Tom is the brand name of a tomato juice with hot sauce or peppers in it.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015. & Feb 2019
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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Dreamer42
True Blue Farmgirl
2682 Posts
April
Central
Oregon
USA
2682 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2020 : 10:18:30 AM
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Hi Sara, love this thread... I'm always trying to keep stocked up, for every day and for the just in case. Plus, having growing boys always proves challenging keeping pantries full! Like you, I try to focus on buying sale items each week... I'm pretty much stocked up in freezer and pantry, but I keep a shelving unit in our garage for extras. Then each week I buy sale items to add to the extras in the garage and rotate as we use. This helps with the grocery bill each month and helps save additional $. Plus, always makes me feel better to know we have extra if needed... like now, as we experience our state lockdown due to Corona virus. XO
Dreamer42
Farmgirl Sister #7038 |
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StitchinWitch
True Blue Farmgirl
2135 Posts
Judith
Galt
CA
USA
2135 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2020 : 10:57:12 AM
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My son called yesterday to ask if we needed anything from the store. I told him just milk and eggs. He brought us 4 dozen eggs. Their chickens are laying like crazy so he was happy to share. We had a big Denver omelet for dinner last night with enough left over for my breakfast this morning. Now I'm going to go find that thread about excess eggs...
Judith
7932
Happiness is Homemade |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6816 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6816 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2020 : 11:13:04 AM
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At the moment I am only replacing what I use - that is if it's available. When the madness is over I'll start back buying items on sale. Would like to have 2-3 months of groceries on hand. I don't have room for more than that and besides I will have to be able to manage it so I don't loose cans/jars at the back of the shelves.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015. & Feb 2019
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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saram
True Blue Farmgirl
521 Posts
Sara
Biggs
CA
USA
521 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2020 : 10:07:51 PM
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My family just figured out that they can order groceries online and have them delivered to the house. (See instacart.com) This is a great discovery since my hubby has a shopping habit and loves to run to town on Sunday for a few silly luxuries. He’s our weak link, and we are all trying to limit his exposure to others.
Anyway, everyone was instructed to make a list to go on the joint order, and when I thought about it, I didn’t need anything. It’s just a relief to know that if I run out of something, there is a safe way to replace it.
Stay strong out there my friends! We are close to halfway through this! Lean on your pantries and stay home! |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6816 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6816 Posts |
Posted - Mar 29 2020 : 06:11:04 AM
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Sara I have had my groceries delivered by instacart for over a year now. I am impressed with the quality of produce & meat the shopper chooses. That was my biggest concern when I first had groceries delivered. Before the virus the shopper would bring my groceries in and put on the kitchen counter - now they leave it at side door. Here in Paris instacart delivers for 4 stores. I shop with Aldi and Brookshires - a Texas based chain of grocery stores.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015. & Feb 2019
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4111 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4111 Posts |
Posted - Mar 30 2020 : 04:44:37 AM
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Was it instacart that I saw on the news, that workers were going to strike? I hope not for everyones sake. Good luck everyone and stay healthy.
Farming in WI
Michele
FGOTM June2019
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6816 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6816 Posts |
Posted - Mar 30 2020 : 07:17:45 AM
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I hope not too. All the shoppers I talk to love doing it and seem to be happy with the company. My neighbor works for the company that delivers for Walmart and they pay less for each order than instacart.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015. & Feb 2019
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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saram
True Blue Farmgirl
521 Posts
Sara
Biggs
CA
USA
521 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2020 : 12:00:10 AM
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We put in two orders via instacart, one at Raley’s, a local grocery chain, and one at Sam’s Club.
The Raleys order was filled within a few hours by a brand new worker. We were his first job. Many substitutions had to be made because of the number of people shopping. That was a disappointment.
The Sam’s Club order was a fiasco. The shopper listed the order as delivered and signed off, though nothing was delivered. We were kept on hold with costumer service for 3 hours, gave up, tried the next day, nearly 3 more hours before finally speaking with a human. We won’t do that again. Tips are automatically added in so the customer has no real voice.
I’d guess that in “normal “ times it would be a great service, and I’m glad it’s there for the people who depend on it.
Add that to my isolation firsts!, |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6816 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6816 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2020 : 07:32:19 AM
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Sara I'm sorry your experience was so bad. Over the year I have used them I have had only one shopper that was ill-kept & sketchy looking. Glad I haven't seen her since. I'm had more substitutions since the virus than before. Some shoppers will talk with me before making them - others will not. Just got e-mail from instacart listing new store programs for dealing with virus. Limit number of people in store - don't know how that will effect the shoppers that count on getting in - out - and delivering so they can catch the next order.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015. & Feb 2019
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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jmpiercy
True Blue Farmgirl
440 Posts
Joan
Lansing
North Carolina
USA
440 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2020 : 6:35:03 PM
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This is a terrific thread. I loved reading about all of your pantries and how you keep them stocked. I have always rotated items and tried to keep things organized. I have an inventory spreadsheet for my large freezer, two fridge freezers, and my pantry. I also keep a "grocery list" on the side of the fridge for us to write down what we are using the last one of. My husband usually does the grocery shopping as he goes to town more than I do. My daughter has been encouraging me to check out the shopper at Walmart (our major store) but you have to pick your groceries up. That is not a problem for us as any of us can do that. I don't think they deliver. Walmart is the cheapest here, then Food Lion and last is Ingles. The good thing about Ingles is that they run better specials than the other two. And I have not seen any produce marked down but I will definitely check on that. We also have a seasonal Farmers' Market, and a produce shop open every day but Sunday from June through October.
All of these threads about food have really have opened a new way to deal with food. Thank you all for your tips, your experiences and your recipes!
Joan P.
Farmgirl Sister #8056
"You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, Love like you'll never be hurt, Sing like there's nobody listening, And live like it's heaven on earth." - William W. Purkey
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Phillippians 4:13 |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Sep 30 2020 : 07:53:02 AM
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Mornin', girls!
'Just want to remind everyone to remember medical supplies when getting your cupboards stocked for winter! Things you might need include saline solution spray to clear stuffy noses, pain relievers, fever reducers, cold and flu easing meds... but also remember winter can be slippery.. you might do well to stock an instant ice bag or two, some bandages, gauze, tape, band-aids, neosporin, a heating pad..and remember you can always use a bag of frozen veggies to ice a sore muscle. And I make homemade elderberry syrup and fire cider to take every day. Taking them and a little something probiotic really boosts your immune system and keeps your gut healthy!
I also keep on hand essential oils for the diffuser and topical applications. "Fighting Five" or "Thieves Oil" in the diffuser in our room every night once the first sign of illness strikes has kept us healthy, for sure. And just having the diffuser going with plain filtered water at night (or using a vaporizer) keeps your throats and nasal passages hydrated and safe from a world of hurt that comes from germs hitting dry passages. (Does the skin a world of good, too!)
I keep things like rosemary oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil and tea tree oil on hand at all times for their wonderful multi-purposes like ear infections or aches, sore throats, skin problems, etc. And I love a good muscle oil or product like Ice Blue to ease pain (and sometimes a little on the back of the neck and shoulders eases those hot flashes! Lol!).
I still keep Vicks VapoRub and a hot water bottle handy, too. And things like baking soda (with water), salt, hydrogen peroxide, apple cider vinegar, etc. - the "basics:" how we forget today thoe old remedies that served our forebears well. Things like baking soda and salt are not only for use in the kitchen.. think about some of their different uses! Baking soda and water is great for a tummy ache. A warm salt water rinse soothes a sore throat. Hydrogen peroxide cleans cuts and can do wonders for your teeth and gums when mixed appropriately with baking soda ad water. ACV... oh my, the uses! And it WORKS!
Another fantastic product I've recently discovered is "Liquid IV." When we get sick, our electrolytes can become very quickly depleted due to fever. I'm a person who is extremely susceptible to electrolyte loss. Even with my heart condition, the doctors say I should have salt! And potatoes are a big part of our diet for the potassium. But as soon as illness strikes, I get so quickly depleted that I've had to go to the ER more than once. I'm not foolish - I don't hesitate to go; but that's the last place I want to be, especially now during a pandemic! ! I always keep Gatorade and Pedialyte, etc., on hand, which help. But this Liquid IV is incredible. It superhydrates you very quickly, and gets the necessary electrolytes to your cells incredibly fast! My son was sick over the winter and I could tell just by looking at him he was becoming dehydrated. I had him try the Liquid IV, and in virtually no time at all, his color came back and he said he felt amazingly better. I have since recommended it to family and friends who gave been amazed by the results, as well. So you might want to have a little bag of it or some other similar product on hand, just in case. I buy my Liquid IV from Amazon or Woot (when Woot offers it), but I have seen a similar product at Sam's club.
Oh! And just a few weeks ago I tried Zicam swabs for the first time. AMAZING! (Please hear that in your head with a sing-songy voice!) I started getting a sore throat with a tickle, a slightly runny nose, chills... then sneezed. Uh oh. I could definitely feel a cold coming on, so headed for the Zicam. All you do is swipe the swab on the inside of each nostril four times (there is plenty of this homeopathic remedy in each dose), and suddenly the symptoms subside. I think I used it for four, maybe five days, feeling that the cold was just slow in coming. But it never came to anything. I was fine! I swear by the stuff. So it might be a nice little addition to your medicine cabinet repertoire this cold season,too.
I have a huge box of supplies at the ready. I will try to make a list for you soon, to give you some ideas. I know how expensive some of these supplies can be, so I just started picking up an item each time I was at the grocery store or pharmacy. You would be surprised at how quickly your emergency med cabinet can fill up doing it this way! And the dollar store can be a very good place for inexpensive necessities. Just please, girls, add a little to your storage as you go. The pandemic is already making a comeback here. It is such peace of mind knowing we have what we need "just in case," so we don't have to expose ourselves at the stores right now.
What kinds of medical necessities do you keep on hand?? What do you find works best for you in times of illness? Please do share!!
Hugs,
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Edited by - Ninibini on Sep 30 2020 08:05:47 AM |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6816 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6816 Posts |
Posted - Sep 30 2020 : 08:11:17 AM
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Thanks Nina for reminding us to stock up on medical supplies too.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015. & Feb 2019
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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AndreaPA
True Blue Farmgirl
527 Posts
Andrea
Factoryville
PA
USA
527 Posts |
Posted - Oct 02 2020 : 04:24:34 AM
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Nini - I make elderberry syrup too. I have some fire cider brewing now. My first time making fire cider. I did try some this week and whew! I see where the word fire comes from.
Andrea
Farmgirl# 8166
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4111 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4111 Posts |
Posted - Oct 02 2020 : 04:40:49 AM
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Words to live by there Nini. I try to always stay stocked up on items. I have most that you listed. I am not a shopper so anytime I do venture to a store, it is a big bill!! lol I have done more online, but that can have it own frustrations. I have elderberry syrup, but never tried fire cider.
Farming in WI
Michele
FGOTM June2019
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Farm Kitchen: A Well Stocked Pantry |
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A Well Stocked Pantry
