Going Away for a While?

Seeing that it's vacation time for many of us, I thought I'd share one of the best posts I've found for things to do in the kitchen before you leave for a few days or more.


Some additional things I try to remember:

• check the coffee filter (I've left a used filter more that once, it's not pleasant)


• check to be sure the oven and burners are off


• have something on hand for a quick meal upon your return (trust me, you'll be glad you did)

If you are going away this summer, have a great trip. But remember, there is truly no place like home!

My Favorite Books on Preserving

After all of your hard work in the garden, be sure to get the best information regarding preserving the fruits of your labor. These are my favorite books on the subject.

My favorite book is The Big Book of Preserving the Harvest by Carol Costenbader. The step-by-step illustrated instructions help anyone create a well-stocked pantry. I find this to be an indespensable kitchen reference for a beginner like me, but I'm sure it would be great for more experienced people as well.

The fourth edition of Putting Food By shows the best ways to can, freeze, pickle, dry, cure, and preserve. It includes the newest canning procedures and processing times along with many great recipes. This book is packed with information on all types of preserving but it also includes tons of information on the science of preserving (why it works and what goes wrong when it doesn't).

Ball Blue Book of Preserving is the classic book on food preparation. I feel like I'm in by grandmother's kitchen when I look at the pages. If nothing else, this book will remind you that many have gone before you in this food preservation journey.

Storing Seeds for Sprouting

I store my sprouting seeds in these wide-mouth plastic containers from Walmart. They come in two sizes and have a screw-top lid.

I made labels for my containers with my label maker. The type of seed in on the front. On the back are instructions for how much seed to use in my sprouting tray (1/4 cup of mung bean seeds).

These containers keep my seeds organized and I can easily see when I need to replenish my seed stock.

Where Do I Begin? Start Here!

I read this very practical book from cover to cover. I couldn't put it down, everything in it just makes sense.

"Just In Case: How to be Self-Sufficient When the Unexpected Happens" by Kathy Harrison should be read by anyone tempted to wait until an emergency is upon us before they begin to prepare.

Every area of the country is suseptible to some kind of emergency (think hurricane, tornado, fire, earthquake). You may think it unnecessary to purchase large amounts of food or have alternative heat and cooking methods, but Kathy Harrison will change your mind on that!

Kathy Harrison is simply a mother who wants to be able to care for her family even if traditional supply lines are not working. And she wants you to be able to provide for your family as well.

This is an extremely useful book that examines various emergency scenarios and offers suggestions for coping with each, from short-term power outages to long-term food shortages.

If you are not sure where to begin on your preparedness journey, start with this book. Even if you are well on your way to preparedness, you will find useful information in this book. Truly one of the best books on preparedness I have read.

To order from Amazon click here.

The Home Storage "Emergency Fund"

We take so much for granted.

We assume that we can make a last minute trip to the grocery store to provide food for dinner. We assume that we can run to the local drug store when our child runs a fever. If we are down to our last drop of gasoline, no problem, there is always a gas station around the corner.

But what if our assumptions are wrong. What if, one day, we are not able to simply run to the store for what we need.

This could happen for a variety of reasons. We may become ill, our car may not start. Perhaps, due to a layoff, we are living off our last paycheck. Maybe severe weather has wreaked havoc on the transportation system that brings food, fuel, and supplies to your town.

So many things could go wrong and we have become so dependent on systems that may crash for any one of a variety of reasons.

Most people carry insurance for their home, car, health, and life. What about insuring your family's well-being in case of a storm, a layoff, or an illness? Storing food and neccesary household items is insurance that your family will be prepared when the unexpected happens.

Begin preparing today.

Never Run on Empty

Get in the habit of always filling your gas tank when it is no less than half full. In the event of an emergency, gasoline may be rationed or simply not available. Even the anticipation of a possible crisis can cause unbearable lines at the gas station. This has been seen time and again when areas prepare for the coming of dangerous weather.

In hurricane country, the anticipation of a coming storm will cause long lines of people filling both their car tanks and portable gas tanks for use in generators.

Do yourself a favor and get in the habit. If your tank is never less than half full, you will never be caught on empty.


Quick Tip Tuesday is a weekly feature of The Prudent Pantry. Each week we will provide timely tips to help in your preparedness journey. If you have a tip you would like to have featured on Tuesday, let us know!

What is a prudent pantry?

My hope is that The Prudent Pantry will inspire and encourage everyone to be good stewards of God's gifts.

God has given us our health, our earth, our time, and our money. Being good stewards of these gifts can be a challenge in our world today. We are tempted to compromise our health with unhealthy food. We are tempted to compromise our earth in the name of convenience. We waste time with unhealthy habits and we are tempted to live above our means.

At The Prudent Pantry, you will find information to help you create a comfortable home and nutritious meals. You will find tips to help you save money, save time, and prepare for the future.

Welcome to The Prudent Pantry. I'm glad you're here!

James 1:17