I just saw this article online and wanted to share it. I have already mentioned the rise of prices twice lately, so you might be sick of it, but I just wanted to share this in case you haven't been scared into getting all you need yet. Click here to see the actual article.

Price inceases on April 4th at the LDS canneries show inflation up between 11 and 49% for many basic food staples. These rise in prices are a strong barometer for the overall economy since the LDS facilities are usually the last to raise prices for their communities, which provides food in bulk that they can collect through their vast networking operations.

According to the new price list from April 4th, many food staples have increased by more than 20% since the last price list came out just 3 months ago on January 3rd.

Beans. Black 13.69%
Beans, Pinto 12.13%
Beans, White 11.88%
Milk, Non Fat Dry 25.00%
Rice 38.99%
Sugar 33.81%
Wheat, Red/White 44.54%
Apple Slices 24.53%
Carrots 21.31%
Macaroni 40.25%
Oats, Quick 48.90%
Oats, Regular 49.19%
Onions 21.60%
Potato Flakes 33.33%
Spaghetti 38.99%
Beans, Refried 27.72%
Cocoa Mix 40.69%
Flour 29.70%
Fruit Drink Mix 26.20%


LDS churches and organizations have long been at the forefront in preparedness for families and communities. As one of the wealthiest corporations in the world, their network of companies and church affiliations allow them access to cheaper food sources, and the capacity to store them for long periods of time through their canning facilities.

As the government and Federal Reserve continues to tell the American people that inflation is low, and contained by their monetary policies, the real barometer of inflation in the economy comes from the grocers, markets, and institutions that deal with food sales and production, and must monitor prices daily as commodities continue to climb.

The LDS's raising food prices at their canneries by 11 to 49% in just three months should be a serious wakeup call to all Americans on the true inflationary conditions that exist in our economy, and that we need to constantly look outside government reports for the true data affecting our spending and finances.

Case Lot Sales

There is an awesome blog that you should check out. She has gone through and made a list of all the case lot sale prices. I think she might live in SLC, so some of the stores on her list aren't close to us, but it is an awesome price comparison sheet that she has put a lot of time into for people to use. It compares the prices of all the case lot sales going on right now. I am a little slow in getting this out as the sales all end on Tuesday, but that leaves today and tomorrow to shop if you haven't already. Check out here blog here. And if you have time, browse around her blog. It is amazing. She is a much better blogger than myself:).

First Aid Kit

I can't believe I am actually posting. It has been 5 months. I have felt the biggest push to get all my 'stuff' done and basically just 'get it together'. It has been like this for a month or so. I want to get everything I have all completely organized, make sure I have what I need in terms of our 72 hour kits, year long storage, etc. I realized today when trying to bandage up my 19 month old for finding a razor, that we don't have a band-aid the size of her thigh (ouch) and thought we could really use bandages like this in an emergency. This made me think we need a better first aid kit than the $10 one we bought at Wal Mart. I looked up some do-it-yourself first aid kits as they might be cheaper than buying a big heavy duty one yourself. Not sure if it will be cheaper or not, but I'm thinking I'll do this with a couple other people to share the costs of packages that contain more than we need. Here is a first aid kit list and small blurb from the Red Cross.

Anatomy of a First Aid Kit

A well-stocked first aid kit is a handy thing to have. To be prepared for emergencies, keep a first aid kit in your home and in your car. Carry a first aid kit with you or know where you can find one. Find out the location of first aid kits where you work. First aid kits come in many shapes and sizes. You can purchase one from the Red Cross Store or your local American Red Cross chapter. Your local drug store may sell them.

You may also make your own. Some kits are designed for specific activities, such as hiking, camping or boating. Whether you buy a first aid kit or put one together, make sure it has all the items you may need. Include any personal items such as medications and emergency phone numbers or other items your health-care provider may suggest. Check the kit regularly. Make sure the flashlight batteries work. Check expiration dates and replace any used or out-of-date contents. The Red Cross recommends that all first aid kits for a family of four include the following:

2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
5 antiseptic wipe packets
2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
1 blanket (space blanket)
1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
1 instant cold compress
2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)
2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
Scissors
1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
Oral thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass)
2 triangular bandages
Tweezers
First aid instruction booklet

Onion Soup Mix Make your own

Onion Soup/Dip Mix
Compliments of www.Budget101.com

2 C. powdered milk
3/4 C. cornstarch
1/4 C. beef bouillon crystals
2 T. dried onion flakes
1 tsp. dried basil leaves, crushed

Measure all ingredients into a Ziploc Bag. Shake well, transfer to vacuum seal bag, seal and store up to a year.

To Use:
1/3 c. Onion Mix per recipe. Blend with water for soup, sour cream for dip, etc.

Beans & Cherry/Grape Tomatoes

I have green beans & both cherry and grape tomatoes that are ready for the picking. I need them gone by this weekend. Any takers? (There are lots of regular tomatoes too, but I have plans to use those, sorry:).

Beans can be eaten fresh, or canned.

Tomatoes can be eaten fresh, or dehydrated (think sun dried tomatoes), & I'm sure there are lots of recipes out there where you can can them somehow? I've only ever dehydrated them so I'm not sure on the canning. But let me know what you find-I'm interested.

The best thing would be for you to call me 757-3274. Just come pick until you are happy!

Chicken

Ok. I am back from the blogging hiatus I claimed to be in need of (not sure why said hiatus was necessary, but....) Macey's is having a 'Back to School Blast' or something along those lines and is having their chicken tenders/ breasts (you choose which you'd like) on sale for $1.49/lb. This is a killer deal. Let me repeat THIS IS A STELLAR DEAL. Go get some. If you are not sure what to do with a plethora of chicken once you've obtained it, let me give some ideas-and please feel free to add to my so-called list in the comment section. I'd love some other ideas on what to do with it.

* Freeze it
* Cook it, bag it, freeze it (cooking methods: diced, grilled, fried in batter-not so sure that would be that good re-heated). At any given time I have at least 4 little snack sized baggies chuck full of diced cooked chicken ready to be put in a chicken pot pie, chicken casserole, etc.)
* Eat it-well, cook it first. Please
* Can it- If you weren't aware that chicken can in fact be preserved other than the freezer method, it can! Super super easy to do as well. Google search it, or call me. I've been doing it for years now and it's easy. I'll guide you through it over the phone or come help you:). Quick run-down on the how-to of canning chicken. Thaw it, cut it (or don't, it doesn't really matter as it will cook while canning and end up shredded. But it might be easier to put in the jars if its cut-and I prefer to cut mine as I KNOW it gets cooked in smaller portions rather than a massive breast that is the same size as your canning jar-yikes), put it in the jar of choice (quart or pint-I prefer pint since I have a rather small family and the pint size really is plenty), put in salt: 1t= quart jars 1/2t.= pint jars, fill with hot water (or don't, the chicken will excrete plenty of liquid while cooking. Should use a different word then 'excrete'....the chicken will.....um......there will be juice that comes out of the chicken? Did that sound better?--I never add water to my chicken, I leave it alone and empty) Pressure cook for 75 minutes. If you're a little nervous to follow my 'by memory' instructions, google search 'how to can chicken' or 'canning chicken instructions' or something of the like.

That's about all I can think of. But go. Get some chicken. The sale dates are only Friday & Saturday. And the ad said 'while supplies last' They are selling them in 10 lb. boxes... Good luck! I"ll see you there, early Friday morning:).

Website

www.unclutter.com