Plant a Row for the Hungry

The Garden Writers Association of America started a campaign called, "Plant a Row for the Hungry". For more information click here The idea is for each gardener to plant an extra row of vegetables and then to donate that to a soup kitchen or community feed the poor resource. I was not able to find a specific drop off point for this program in our area, but it's a great idea! I would imagine that just about any organization of this type would welcome fresh vegetables.

Why not grow an extra row of food and find someone to share it with?

Using Your Food Storage Recipes

Sister Brooke Snow from Midland 2nd ward shared the following recipes. They look wonderful!

SPLIT PEA SOUP

1 pound (2 1/4 cups) dried split peas
2 quarts boiling water
2 tsp. garlic salt
2 chicken bouillon cubes (optional, I don't often use this)
2 carrots, sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 ham hock or 1/2 - 1 cup cooked, sliced ham (optional, but I use this every time)

Mix all ingredients in large pot, bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour or until peas are tender.


LENTIL SOUP

1 pound (2 1/4 cups) dried lentils
2 quarts water
1/4 cup dried onion
1 tbsp. garlic salt
2 smoked sausages, sliced

Mix all ingredients in large pot, bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour or until peas are tender.


PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
1 yellow cake mix
1 spice cake mix
1 (29 oz.) can pumpkin
1 (12 oz.) package chocolate chips

Mix together all ingredients, bake in 350° preheated oven for 8 - 10 minutes.


BLACK BEANS AND RICE

2 (15 oz) cans black beans (or use the equivalent of already prepared dried black beans, I make my own beans and then freeze them in baggies)
3 smoked sausages, sliced (or you can use crumbled sausage of your favorite flavor)
garlic powder and onion salt to taste

Serve over steamed white rice. (This is a traditional Brazilian dish from my Mom's mission)


WHOLE WHEAT BATTER BREAD (I've never made this, but it sounds easy and good)

1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp. yeast
1/2 cup warm water
5 1/2 cups hot water
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp. salt
12 or more cups whole wheat flour


Mix brown sugar, yeast, and warm water in a small bowl. Set aside. Put hot water, oil, sugar, salt, and 7 cups of flour in a large mixing bowl. Mix on medium speed. Add the yeast mixture and blend. increase speed and add 5 or more cups of flour gradually until batter begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. Pour into four greased 9 x 5-inch bread pans. Let rise one hour or until doubled in volume. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes. Remove from pans and allow to cool before slicing.

Green Thumb

What color is your thumb? Not green. Mine isn't either. But you can get some great gardening tips here at lds.org.

Chance to Win a Wheat Grinder

If you would like a chance to win a Wondermill wheat grinder (I love mine). Click here and follow the instructions. Good Luck!

Taco Meat With Wheat

Vera Howell graciously shared this YUMMY recipe. Using wheat makes the dish healthier and you save money on meat so it's budget friendly too.

Taco Meat With Wheat
Bring to a boil 1 cup of wheat in 3 cups water, then simmer for approximately 40 min.- until wheat is tender and the water has been absorbed.

Brown 1 1/2 lbs. of hamburger
with chopped onion,
chopped bell pepper,
and 1 diced potato (optional).

Drain fat and add 1 cup of the cooked wheat and 1 pkg. taco seasoning mix with about 1 cup of water. Stir until mixed well and water is absorbed.

Serve as taco filling. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.
Or serve as a "Nacho grande"- put meat filling on top of tortilla chips and top with meat filling,refried beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, avocados, (what ever your favorite topping is), etc.

Raised Bed Gardening

A great way to save money on food is to grow your own. It tastes better too. I prefer a raised bed garden because I think that they are easier to weed. My favorite is one made with four railroad ties placed in a square and filled with good quality soil. However, if you prefer here is the information on how to build your own.

Make Your Own Soap

Have you ever thought of making your own soap? There are several websites that will show you how. Do be very careful if you choose to use a recipe with Lye. It can be dangerous. Look out beautiful these soaps turned out! Wouldn't they make nice gifts? This is a fun site with lots of frugal ideas including how to make your own cleaners- even laundry detergent. Click here.

Please don't forget to mark you calendar for the blood drive at the Tarleton Building in Midland on April 16. Call Audra, 661-7797, to schedule a time.

Easy Menu Planning

Tired of trying to decide what to make for dinner? I found a site that will plan a menu for you. It includes all of the recipes and a shopping list to take to the store with you. It's all for free!

Visit Simply Suppers and see if their menu could save you some time.

Please Be Careful

Did you know that some things are not safe to store in the 10# cans and mylar bags?

At lds.org, provident living it states:

The pouches (and cans) can be used to store foods that are dry (about 10% moisture or less), shelf-stable, and low in oil content. Botulism poisoning may result if moist products are stored in oxygen reduced packaging. Visit
providentliving.org for specific product recommendations.

The site also states that storing the following products may put you at risk for botulism poisoning or are products that go rancid quickly: granola, nuts, brown sugar, etc. Click here. Then click on "dry products" for their list.

Craigslist

Have you tried craigslist? It is a listing of things for sale (a few for free) all across the country. There is a Midland/Odessa listing too.


My niece has found several really neat things including this free swing set. Maybe you can find something that you are shopping for too.

Yummy Grape Salad

My sister-in-law gave me this recipe. It's great! Sometimes I use all red grapes, but it's prettier with a combination.

2 lbs. green grapes
2 lbs. red grapes
1 8 oz. cream cheese
1 8 oz. sour cream
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. chopped pecans

Stem, wash and dry grapes. Place in a large bowl. In separate bowl mix the other ingredients. Then add this mixture to the grapes, stir, and serve chilled.