Wow. I believe this might be my craziest post yet! After following an article I found in last month's edition of CountrySide magazine, I actually canned butter! It worked! Before I explain what I did, let me explain WHY I thought this extra work necessary.
I buy butter, and I mean REAL BUTTER, in bulk when it's on sale. In my region, $1.68 per pound is about as cheap as you can get. I bought a case of 30lbs. last spring for about $52 and it has lasted our family of three until now, and is still going. For us, a case lasts about a year. How do I store so much butter? Well, I freeze it. Frozen butter can last about a year, BUT you need to be careful of what else you have in your freezer as butter will absorb the smell and taste of surrounding foods. In other words, you better store those chopped onions in a different freezer!
However, my husband and I recently acquired a deer for meat (I will do another post on this) and needed some more space in our two freezers. So, out came the magazine with the instructions to can butter. :)
Step 1: 11 pounds of butter will make roughly 12, maybe 13 pints of canned because of the headspace allotment.
Unwrap the sticks of butter and melt on low to medium-low in two large saucepans. I folded and kept the wrappings in the fridge to use in place of cooking spray later. :)
Step 2:
While the butter is melting, gather 13-14 pints into a roasting pan or on a cookie sheet and place in the oven at 250 degrees. We are heating the jars not only to sterilize them, but when we ladle the boiling butter into the jars we don't want them to break.
Step 3:
Put your lids in a small saucepan to simmer just as the butter is beginning to also simmer. Prepare a place on your counter to begin ladling.
Step 4:
Ladle hot butter into the hot jars by scooping from the bottom through to the top, in order to get a good mixture of butter. Stir periodically. It would be best to use a canning funnel for this part. Leave 3/4 inch headspace in your jars to give room for the shaking stage.
Step 5:
Wipe the jar with a hot rag to remove any slimy butter, and place on your lid and screw on tightly the rim. Let the jars sit until you hear a few of thing begin to "ping", or seal.
Step 6:
Every 10 minutes or so (put on the kitchen timer if you are forgetful like I am!), come back into the kitchen and give each jar a little shake. This is just to keep the butter from separating as it cools. We want a uniform consistency throughout.
Step 7:
When the jars have cooled some, but are still slightly warm to the touch, transfer the jars to the refrigerator. This quickens the setting stage. This next part is crucial to canning butter: make sure to check and shake the jars every 5 minutes until they set. If you forget and the butter cools as a separated unit, you will have to reheat the jar using the double boiler method.
Ta Da! You have successfully canned butter! Check the seals of each jar by gentle pushing in the middle of the lid. If there is no "click", they have sealed. Store in a cool, dark, and dry place. According to the CountrySide article, canned butter will last 3-4 years, where frozen is only about a year. Also, a successfully sealed jar will not need to be reheated in order to use as it will be at room temperature. An opened jar can also sit covered on your counter for a good month while you use it without going bad! Happy Canning! :-)
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Urban Winter Survival
My facebook friends have asked me to do a blog post about some WINTER TIPS during this bad cold snap we are experiencing in the Midwest. I know I will not cover all the possible tips, but I hope you can take away at least one piece of helpful information from these words.
We live in a world of ease and convenience, but in the blink of an eye, all of that can change without any notice at all. We depend far too much on our electricity and indoor plumbing, but what if the power were to go out? What if the power companies estimated a full WEEK without? What if the temperature outside was hovering around 0 and you have children at home, and you can feel the temperature inside already beginning to drop? This is not an unlikely scenario.
This exact situation is one that residents of Sibley, Iowa, experienced last year on April 10, when an ice storm thrashed NW Iowa. I am absolutely not trying to scare anyone with this post (or any of my posts for that matter), but I am simply laying out some facts and some tips that hopefully parallel in such a way to bring about some responsible living. :-)
When we experience a prolonged period of cold immediately following comfortable weather, there is always a higher chance for a water main break. Consequently, there is an even higher chance of water main trouble with a fast thawing of the ground. As mentioned earlier, a temporary power outage is probable, especially when dealing with an ice storm, like LITTLE ROCK, AK, is about to experience this weekend. Taking the considerations of water and electricity issues, here are some tips to help you prepare.
1) Water
- BEFORE the storm, fill clean containers with water and store in a cool room
- preferably a room that will not freeze, like an enclosed porch or basement
- good containers to use are clean milk jugs (I keep a supply of these for this reason), basic beverage jugs with a spicket (like a gallon tea jar or 5 gallon gatorade-style water cooler below)
- PLAN A GALLON OF WATER PER DAY PER PERSON IN YOUR FAMILY
2) Rate your food sources
- plan to use food in the fridge first as it will go bad the fastest
- use indoor freezer food second
- use outdoor freezer food third
- use canned goods sparingly and or only after the fridge and indoor freezer are cleared
- make sure a variety of foods are eaten per meal to keep up strength
3) Prepare the family with a sanitation plan
- put tape over the flusher handle and remind all family members NOT TO FLUSH because you will have only 1 flush left per toilet once the power goes out.
- if you have the convenience of 2 toilets in the house, designate one to be for urine only. This toilet will be able to fill quite full before using that last flush.
- designate one (or more, if you are so blessed to have more than 2 toilets) toilet for solid waste. Use plastic wrap or Press and Seal to cover when not in use to keep smell down. (Yes, we are using the knowledge of a common prank, but trying to keep the poo and smell IN this time!)
- encourage family to "hold it" and use toilet sparingly, BUT DO NOT FLUSH until the toilet is quite full.
- another option for waste is for men and boys to urinate outside
- for solid waste, you can also use ice cream buckets WITH LIDS and store outside. Dispose of later.
- to manually flush the common toilet, pour about a gallon of water SWIFTLY into the bowl. It should flush.
4) Confine heat
- block off a room or 2 using blankets hung in the doorway with hammer and nails
- obviously choose the room with the heat source
- if you have a generator, now would be the time to hook it up :)
- break out the board games!
- body heat goes a long way. Try to keep everyone together and wear layers. 2 layers actually goes further for conserving body heat than one warm sweatshirt.
- we lose over 75% of our body heat through our heads since heat rises, so bring out the stocking caps
5) Cooking with a GAS STOVE
- if you are blessed to own a GAS STOVE, as I am, you are well set for cooking when the power is out. All you have to do is manually light the PILOT LIGHT. :) Consult your oven manual for help.
- put up blankets in all doorways of the kitchen and turn the oven to a low setting to keep the room comfortable. Corral your family here.
- crack a window ever so slightly for ventilation
- keep a candle burning to monitor oxygen levels in the room
6) Cooking with an ELECTRIC STOVE
- if you have an ELECTRIC STOVE, well, welcome to Camping 101.
- since your stove is virtually useless, you will have a harder time choosing foods to eat that do not require heat.
- options are your grill outside, a portable camping stove, or even a fire outside (before you get to this point, try contacting a neighbor)
- if you DO happen to have an electric stove, it would be smart to attain your cooking source ASAP.
7) Lighting
- to conserve body energy and fuel, try to sleep with the sun. Go to bed early and rise when the sun wakes you
- try not to use FLASHLIGHTS as they are portable in case you have to go outside or loan out
- keep a supply of the CORRECT BATTERIES
- candles (obviously jar candles will be most safe. I actually spend some winter days melting down old taper candles I find at garage sales or people give me and make them into safe jar candles. Future post?)
- instruct children that they are not ever to touch the candles
- keep matches either on your person or next to the candles so you don't have to search in the dark
The best thing we can all do, whether you live in Canada or Arkansas, is to BE PREPARED. It absolutely does not hurt to throw together a pile of these supplies in a corner in your basement. We all know of people (or we ourselves) who have experienced trying winter situations, and preparedness and education are the only ways to succeed. :-)
We live in a world of ease and convenience, but in the blink of an eye, all of that can change without any notice at all. We depend far too much on our electricity and indoor plumbing, but what if the power were to go out? What if the power companies estimated a full WEEK without? What if the temperature outside was hovering around 0 and you have children at home, and you can feel the temperature inside already beginning to drop? This is not an unlikely scenario.
This exact situation is one that residents of Sibley, Iowa, experienced last year on April 10, when an ice storm thrashed NW Iowa. I am absolutely not trying to scare anyone with this post (or any of my posts for that matter), but I am simply laying out some facts and some tips that hopefully parallel in such a way to bring about some responsible living. :-)
When we experience a prolonged period of cold immediately following comfortable weather, there is always a higher chance for a water main break. Consequently, there is an even higher chance of water main trouble with a fast thawing of the ground. As mentioned earlier, a temporary power outage is probable, especially when dealing with an ice storm, like LITTLE ROCK, AK, is about to experience this weekend. Taking the considerations of water and electricity issues, here are some tips to help you prepare.
1) Water
- BEFORE the storm, fill clean containers with water and store in a cool room
- preferably a room that will not freeze, like an enclosed porch or basement
- good containers to use are clean milk jugs (I keep a supply of these for this reason), basic beverage jugs with a spicket (like a gallon tea jar or 5 gallon gatorade-style water cooler below)
- PLAN A GALLON OF WATER PER DAY PER PERSON IN YOUR FAMILY
2) Rate your food sources
- plan to use food in the fridge first as it will go bad the fastest
- use indoor freezer food second
- use outdoor freezer food third
- use canned goods sparingly and or only after the fridge and indoor freezer are cleared
- make sure a variety of foods are eaten per meal to keep up strength
3) Prepare the family with a sanitation plan
- put tape over the flusher handle and remind all family members NOT TO FLUSH because you will have only 1 flush left per toilet once the power goes out.
- if you have the convenience of 2 toilets in the house, designate one to be for urine only. This toilet will be able to fill quite full before using that last flush.
- designate one (or more, if you are so blessed to have more than 2 toilets) toilet for solid waste. Use plastic wrap or Press and Seal to cover when not in use to keep smell down. (Yes, we are using the knowledge of a common prank, but trying to keep the poo and smell IN this time!)
- encourage family to "hold it" and use toilet sparingly, BUT DO NOT FLUSH until the toilet is quite full.
- another option for waste is for men and boys to urinate outside
- for solid waste, you can also use ice cream buckets WITH LIDS and store outside. Dispose of later.
- to manually flush the common toilet, pour about a gallon of water SWIFTLY into the bowl. It should flush.
4) Confine heat
- block off a room or 2 using blankets hung in the doorway with hammer and nails
- obviously choose the room with the heat source
- if you have a generator, now would be the time to hook it up :)
- break out the board games!
- body heat goes a long way. Try to keep everyone together and wear layers. 2 layers actually goes further for conserving body heat than one warm sweatshirt.
- we lose over 75% of our body heat through our heads since heat rises, so bring out the stocking caps
5) Cooking with a GAS STOVE
- if you are blessed to own a GAS STOVE, as I am, you are well set for cooking when the power is out. All you have to do is manually light the PILOT LIGHT. :) Consult your oven manual for help.
- put up blankets in all doorways of the kitchen and turn the oven to a low setting to keep the room comfortable. Corral your family here.
- crack a window ever so slightly for ventilation
- keep a candle burning to monitor oxygen levels in the room
6) Cooking with an ELECTRIC STOVE
- if you have an ELECTRIC STOVE, well, welcome to Camping 101.
- since your stove is virtually useless, you will have a harder time choosing foods to eat that do not require heat.
- options are your grill outside, a portable camping stove, or even a fire outside (before you get to this point, try contacting a neighbor)
- if you DO happen to have an electric stove, it would be smart to attain your cooking source ASAP.
7) Lighting
- to conserve body energy and fuel, try to sleep with the sun. Go to bed early and rise when the sun wakes you
- try not to use FLASHLIGHTS as they are portable in case you have to go outside or loan out
- keep a supply of the CORRECT BATTERIES
- candles (obviously jar candles will be most safe. I actually spend some winter days melting down old taper candles I find at garage sales or people give me and make them into safe jar candles. Future post?)
- instruct children that they are not ever to touch the candles
- keep matches either on your person or next to the candles so you don't have to search in the dark
The best thing we can all do, whether you live in Canada or Arkansas, is to BE PREPARED. It absolutely does not hurt to throw together a pile of these supplies in a corner in your basement. We all know of people (or we ourselves) who have experienced trying winter situations, and preparedness and education are the only ways to succeed. :-)
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Prepping Part 4: How-To Table of Contents
Greetings! I have set the table for why I might be considered a Prepper, and have served the food by introducing you to the two categories of Preparedness in natural vs. manmade disasters. It is now time to dig in and get down to business. I am a known list-maker, and therefore wanted to give my readers an organized page to refer to for the future blog posts on the subject of preparing. Granted, I will edit this page as I realize what I have accidentally left out, but eventually we will make it to a stable list.
Before I post the list, I wanted to also put a plug out there for the book that persuaded me to go down this path. The book is called, How To Survive the End of the World As We Know It, by James Wesley Rawles.
This book is simply amazing. Yes, it sounds like a crazy person book, but I believe you and I are well past that stage and can connect on a mutual understanding of where we are coming from. Mr. Rawles is a former US Army Intelligence Officer and sheds a lot of light and "inside" information on the current state of our country. It would also be in your best interest to scour his blog for his valuable (and FREE!) information.
http://www.survivalblog.com/
Prepper "How-To" Table of Contents
Intro: Possible Disasters and Their Definitions
1. Water
2. Food- short-term storage
3. Food- long-term storage
4. Food- gardening
5. Food- harvesting
6. Food- water bath canning
7. Food- pressure canner canning
8. Food- dehydrating
9. Food- freezing
10. Shelter
11. Sanitation
12. Energy
13. First-Aid
14. Defense
15. Tactical/Defensive Living Skills
16. Security
17. Communication
18. Bartering
19. Charity and Giving
20. Pets
21. Orienteering
22. Sewing
23. Off-Grid Weekend
Before I post the list, I wanted to also put a plug out there for the book that persuaded me to go down this path. The book is called, How To Survive the End of the World As We Know It, by James Wesley Rawles.
This book is simply amazing. Yes, it sounds like a crazy person book, but I believe you and I are well past that stage and can connect on a mutual understanding of where we are coming from. Mr. Rawles is a former US Army Intelligence Officer and sheds a lot of light and "inside" information on the current state of our country. It would also be in your best interest to scour his blog for his valuable (and FREE!) information.
http://www.survivalblog.com/
Prepper "How-To" Table of Contents
Intro: Possible Disasters and Their Definitions
1. Water
2. Food- short-term storage
3. Food- long-term storage
4. Food- gardening
5. Food- harvesting
6. Food- water bath canning
7. Food- pressure canner canning
8. Food- dehydrating
9. Food- freezing
10. Shelter
11. Sanitation
12. Energy
13. First-Aid
14. Defense
15. Tactical/Defensive Living Skills
16. Security
17. Communication
18. Bartering
19. Charity and Giving
20. Pets
21. Orienteering
22. Sewing
23. Off-Grid Weekend
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