Do what is right for you, and you will always be happy. You have probably heard the phrase a hundred times. Do what is right for you. But what does that actually mean in a world full of opinions, expectations, and people who love to give unsolicited advice? The truth is that genuine happiness starts from the inside out. When you align your daily choices with your own values and what truly matters to your family, life gets a whole lot easier. And yes, getting along with the people around you becomes much more natural, too.

When one of my daughters graduated from university, the main speaker shared this phrase. I wrote it down on a piece of paper. I thought it was powerful. I made a wooden sign with it, but I’m not sure it was ever hung up. I’ve kept it since it meant a lot to me. No worries. I loved the statement, so I kept it. This post is all about learning how to protect your peace, care for yourself first, and still build meaningful relationships with the people in your life.

Why Taking Care of Yourself First Is Not Selfish

There is a reason flight attendants tell you to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. You can’t pour from an empty cup. When you’re running on empty, juggling everyone else’s needs while ignoring your own, you become short-tempered, exhausted, and resentful. None of those things is good for your family or your relationships.

Self-care doesn’t have to mean expensive spa days or long solo retreats. It can be as simple as getting enough sleep, eating nourishing food you’ve stored and prepared yourself, going for a walk, or spending quiet time doing something you genuinely enjoy. When you make your own well-being a priority, you show up for others in a much healthier and happier way.

Here are a few practical ways to take care of yourself first:

Get enough rest. Your body and mind need sleep to function well. Most adults need between seven and nine hours per night.

Eat well and stay hydrated. What you put into your body matters. Home-cooked meals made from whole, real ingredients support your energy and mood.

Move your body. Even a short walk each day can lift your spirits and reduce stress.

Protect your time. You don’t have to say yes to everything. Learning to say no kindly is one of the most powerful self-care tools you have.

Spend time doing what you love. Whether that is gardening, baking bread, reading, or quietly organizing your pantry, make time for the activities that fill you up.

Define your circle of friends and family. Only associate with those who make you happy. You don’t need to feel guilty. You need to feel loved and wanted. Remember, it’s your choice.

Topics to Avoid If You Want to Get Along With Others

Here is a truth most people learn the hard way. Certain conversations have a way of turning otherwise pleasant gatherings into uncomfortable standoffs. If your goal is to keep relationships warm and your household peaceful, there are some topics worth steering clear of, especially in casual settings.

Politics. Few things derail a friendly conversation faster than political debates. People hold deeply personal beliefs shaped by their life experiences, and those beliefs rarely change because of a dinner table argument. Unless you’re in a trusted, thoughtful setting where all parties are genuinely open to dialogue, it’s usually best to keep political discussions off the table.

Religion and personal faith. Faith is deeply personal. What brings one person comfort may feel foreign or even offensive to another. Unless someone specifically invites that kind of sharing, it’s wise to respect that what works for your family spiritually is, simply, personal. In Utah, it’s quite common to ask a high school graduate (18 years old), “Are you going on a Mormon mission?” “Where are you going to go to college?” Practice listening to them first. Have you heard of Scruples Syndrome?

Scrupulosity syndrome is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder in which a person becomes consumed by excessive guilt, shame, or fear related to religious, moral, or ethical matters. Someone dealing with this condition may constantly worry that they have sinned, offended God, or acted immorally, even when there is no reasonable cause for concern. These intrusive thoughts can become so overwhelming that they interfere with daily life, relationships, and a person’s ability to experience genuine peace or joy. Unlike a healthy conscience that guides a person toward good choices, scrupulosity traps a person in a relentless cycle of doubt and self-condemnation that is very difficult to break without proper support. If you or someone you love struggles with these kinds of persistent, distressing thoughts, speaking with a mental health professional who understands both faith and OCD can make a meaningful difference.

Money and financial comparisons. Talking about how much things cost, what others earn, or comparing lifestyles can quickly create tension. Everyone’s financial situation is different, and nobody benefits from feeling judged or inadequate.

Parenting choices. Every parent is trying the best they can with what they have. Commenting on another family’s parenting style, even with good intentions, rarely lands well.

Unsolicited advice. Even when you genuinely want to help, jumping in with advice before someone asks for it can feel dismissive—practice listening first. Ask what kind of support someone needs before offering solutions.

Personal appearance and body comments. This one seems obvious, but it still comes up. Comments about weight, clothing, or physical appearance, even meant as compliments, can carry unintended baggage.

Avoiding these topics isn’t about dishonesty or hard conversations. It’s about choosing the right time, the right relationship, and the right setting for deeper discussions.

How to Genuinely Get Along With Others

Getting along with people doesn’t mean agreeing with everything they say or hiding who you are. It means choosing kindness, practicing patience, and giving people the benefit of the doubt.

Listen more than you speak. Most people want to feel heard. When you truly listen by waiting for your turn to talk, people feel respected and valued. That goes a long way.

Assume the best. When someone says something that rubs you the wrong way, pause before reacting. Nine times out of ten, they didn’t mean it the way it landed. Giving people grace is one of the most freeing things you can do.

Pick your battles. Not every disagreement needs to become a conflict. Ask yourself whether it’ll matter in five years. If not, let it go.

Apologize when you’re wrong. There’s real strength in a genuine apology. It builds trust and shows the people in your life that your relationship matters more than being right.

Find common ground. Even with very different people, there’s almost always something you share. A love of food, a desire to protect your family, and a good sense of humor. Start there.

Be consistent. People trust those who are reliable. Do what you say you’ll do, show up when it counts, and follow through.

The Connection Between Doing What Is Right and Being Happy

Happiness isn’t something that happens to you. It’s something you build, decision by decision, day by day. When you make choices that align with your own values, whether that means simplifying your life, stocking a well-organized pantry for your family, growing your own food, or just choosing to spend your evenings more intentionally, you feel a quiet, steady kind of satisfaction that no outside circumstance can easily take away.

People who do what is right for them without apology tend to be calmer, more grounded, and easier to be around. Their peace isn’t dependent on everyone else’s approval. That’s a gift, not just to themselves but to everyone in their life.

Final Word

Doing what’s right for you isn’t about being selfish, stubborn, or closed off to others. It’s about knowing yourself well enough to live with intention. It’s about caring for your own health and spirit so you can show up fully for your family and community. And it’s about respecting others enough to let them do the same.

When you protect your own peace, steer clear of conversations that stir up more heat than light, and choose kindness in your daily interactions, you create an environment where happiness isn’t just possible. It becomes your everyday normal.

Start small. Take care of yourself today. Choose one conversation you don’t need to have. Listen a little longer than usual. You might be surprised at how much lighter everything feels. May God bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: Happy Place On Rock Depositphotos_676002920_S, Happiness with Less Stuff Depositphotos_617121170_S

The post Do What Is Right For You And You Will Always Be Happy appeared first on Food Storage Moms.

When your life does not go as planned. Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them. One day things seem to be running smoothly, and the next, you’re staring down a stack of medical bills, a budget that just won’t balance, and a family that’s stretched thin in every direction. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Millions of families are walking through seasons in life that are exactly like yours, and thank goodness, there’s real hope on the other side. Please stock up on Flashlights, Lanterns, and Batteries. Don’t forget Plug In Lights for power outages.

When Your Life Does Not Go As Planned

What Is a Life That Didn’t Go As Planned?

Most of us grew up with a picture in our minds of how life would unfold. We would stay healthy, work hard, build a comfortable home, and watch our families thrive. But life rarely follows the script we wrote for it. Health crises, financial setbacks, family struggles, and even broken friendships have a way of arriving all at once, and suddenly the plan we had looks nothing like the reality we’re living.

The good news is that hard seasons don’t have to define you. They can actually sharpen your priorities, deepen your relationships, and teach you skills you never knew you needed.

Health Issues That Change Everything

Few things derail a family’s plans faster than a serious health issue. Whether it’s a chronic illness, an unexpected diagnosis, a mental health struggle, or a physical injury, health problems touch every part of daily life. They affect your ability to work, your energy levels, your mood, and your finances.

If your family’s navigating a health challenge right now, the first and most important step is to permit yourself to adjust your expectations. You don’t have to do everything you did before. Ask your doctor what a realistic recovery or management plan looks like. Look into patient assistance programs for medications, community health clinics that offer sliding-scale fees, and nonprofit organizations that help families cover medical costs.

Taking care of yourself is not selfish. It’s absolutely necessary. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and your family needs you to prioritize your health so you can be present for the long road ahead.

Money Issues and Daily Expenses Out of Control

When the bills start piling up, and the paycheck just doesn’t stretch far enough, the stress can feel overwhelming. Inflation, job loss, unexpected medical expenses, car repairs, and rising grocery costs can all conspire to put a family in a genuinely difficult financial position.

The first thing to do is get an honest picture of where things stand. Write down every single expense, even the small ones. Many families are surprised to discover that small daily purchases add up to hundreds of dollars a month. Once you see it on paper, you can begin making decisions.

Look at every subscription and recurring charge, and cancel anything that isn’t essential right now. Cook more meals at home and use your pantry as a resource rather than just a storage space. Buy store brands, shop sales, and use coupons. Reach out to your utility companies and ask about hardship programs because many offer them, and they are rarely advertised.

Building even a small emergency fund, even just twenty or thirty dollars a week, can provide a buffer that prevents small crises from becoming large ones. Food storage is another powerful tool. Having a well-stocked pantry means that even in a tight month, you can still feed your family well without relying on expensive last-minute grocery trips.

If debt is part of the picture, consider reaching out to a nonprofit credit counseling agency. These organizations offer free or low-cost help with budgeting and debt management plans. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Family Issues That Leave Everyone Exhausted

Stress has a way of bringing out both the best and the worst in families. When money is tight, health is uncertain, and the future feels unclear, tensions can run high. Marriages feel the strain. Children pick up on worry even when parents try to shield them from it. Siblings argue. Extended family relationships become complicated.

The most important thing you can do for your family during a hard season is to keep the lines of communication open. Children don’t need to know every adult detail, but they do need age-appropriate honesty. When kids understand that the family is going through a tough stretch but that you’re all working through it together, they feel safer than when they sense something is wrong, but no one will talk about it.

Make time for small moments of connection even when life feels chaotic. A shared meal, a walk around the neighborhood, a movie night at home, or a simple game together can do more for a family’s emotional health than most people realize. These moments remind everyone that you’re a team.

If the strain on your marriage or family relationships has become more than you can handle on your own, please don’t hesitate to seek help. Many churches offer free counseling. Community mental health centers provide affordable therapy. Organizations like 211.org can connect you with local resources you may not even know exist.

Friend and Neighbor Issues That Catch You Off Guard

Not every relationship struggle happens inside the four walls of your home. Sometimes the people who disappoint us most during a hard season are the friends and neighbors we counted on most. A friendship that seemed solid for years can quietly fade when life gets messy. A neighbor dispute can add daily tension to an already exhausted household. And the loneliness that comes from feeling misunderstood or abandoned by people in your community can be just as painful as any financial or health challenge.

It helps to remember that some friendships are seasonal. That doesn’t mean they weren’t real or valuable. It simply means that people have different capacities for showing up during difficult times, and not everyone will rise to the occasion. Releasing the expectation that every friend will know what to do or say in a crisis can free you from a lot of added hurt.

That said, it’s worth being direct with the people you genuinely care about. Sometimes friends pull away not because they don’t care but because they don’t know what to do. A simple, honest conversation, something like letting someone know you’re going through a hard time and just need company or a listening ear, can open a door that awkward silence had quietly closed.

Neighbor Conflicts

Neighbor conflicts deserve their own category because they’re uniquely difficult to avoid. Unlike a friendship you can step back from, a neighbor is simply there every day. If a conflict has developed, try to address it calmly and directly before it escalates. A brief, respectful conversation done without blame and with a genuine willingness to listen goes further than most people expect. If the issue involves noise, property lines, or safety and a direct conversation hasn’t worked, your local community mediation center is a free and surprisingly effective resource that many people never think to use.

It’s also worth investing in building community during calm seasons so that when hard ones arrive, you already have a network around you. Introduce yourself to neighbors you don’t yet know. Bring a meal to someone who is struggling. Participate in a neighborhood group or local organization. Community isn’t something that appears automatically when you need it. It’s something you build quietly over time, and it pays dividends you can’t fully anticipate.

Practical Steps When Life Falls Apart

There are a few things that consistently help families navigate hard seasons. First, simplify wherever you can. Let go of obligations and commitments that are draining your energy without giving much back. Second, lean into community. Neighbors, church families, and local organizations exist precisely for times like this. Accepting help isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s wisdom.

Third, make your home a refuge. When the outside world is uncertain, a calm and organized home environment can provide tremendous comfort. Fourth, focus on what you can control. You can’t always fix the big problems immediately, but you can make a good meal tonight, take a walk, read a good book, and get some sleep. Those small acts of self-care matter more than you know.

You’re Not Behind. You’re Right Where You Are.

There’s no universal timeline for how life is supposed to go. Some families hit their hard seasons early; others later. Some are walking through multiple challenges at once. Wherever you find yourself today, know that the people who come out the other side of hard seasons with their families intact and their spirits resilient are usually not the ones who had everything go right. They are the ones who kept showing up, kept adapting, and refused to let the hard things have the final word.

And here is the truth that gets lost in the middle of a hard season. The struggles you’re facing right now, the health battles, the tight budgets, the family tensions, the friendships that disappointed you, and the neighbors who added stress instead of support, none of those things are the final chapter of your story. They are simply the part you’re in right now.

Never Talk About Religion or Politics

One thing that can make a hard season even harder is when politics or religion become points of division instead of sources of comfort. This blog is a place where everyone is welcome, regardless of what you believe politically or spiritually. We aren’t here to debate those topics or tell you what to think. We’re here to talk about real life, real struggles, and real solutions that work for families across the board.

Whether you’re deeply religious, quietly spiritual, or somewhere else entirely, and whether you lean left, right, or nowhere near either, the challenges of tight budgets, health concerns, family stress, and difficult relationships don’t discriminate. Neither do we. This is simply a space for people who want to take care of their families and their homes the best they can, and that’s something we can all agree on.

How To Cut Your Budget When You Think You Can’t

Mental Health Issues After A Disaster

Final Word

Every family that has ever come through something hard will tell you the same thing. It didn’t feel survivable in the middle of it. But they kept going. They made the next meal, had the next hard conversation, made the next small decision, and slowly the season changed. Your story is still being written. The final word belongs to you. May God bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: House With White Picket Fence Depositphotos_69145901_S, Townhouse Complex Depositphotos_546831124_S

The post When Your Life Does Not Go As Planned appeared first on Food Storage Moms.

What is bioengineered food? If you’ve walked through a grocery store lately, you may have noticed a small label on certain foods that reads “bioengineered” or “BE.” For many families, this label raises questions. What does it mean? Is it safe? Should I be concerned? In this post, we’re going to break it all down in plain, easy-to-understand language so you can feel confident making food choices for your family. Ingredients to Avoid

What Is Bioengineered Food? A Simple Guide for Families

What Does Bioengineered Food Mean?

Bioengineered food, sometimes called genetically modified food or GMO food, is food whose genetic material has been altered in a laboratory. Scientists take a tiny piece of DNA from one living thing and add it to a plant or animal to give it a new trait. Think of it as giving a plant a new instruction in its recipe so it can do something it couldn’t do on its own before.

For example, a corn plant might be given a trait that helps it resist insects, so farmers don’t need to use as many pesticides. Or a soybean might be changed so it can survive a weed killer that farmers spray on their fields.

Why Is It Called Bioengineered and Not GMO?

You may have heard both terms used. In 2016, the United States government passed a law called the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard. This law created an official term, “bioengineered,” for use on food labels. So both words mean essentially the same thing. When you see a bioengineered label at the store, it simply means that the food contains genetically modified ingredients.

What Foods Are Commonly Bioengineered?

The United States Department of Agriculture maintains a list of crops that are commercially available in bioengineered form. Some of the most common ones you’ll find in everyday grocery items are:

Corn is one of the most widely grown bioengineered crops in the United States and shows up in many processed foods as corn syrup, cornstarch, and corn oil.

Soybeans are found in countless products, including cooking oils, protein powders, and many packaged snacks.

Sugar beets are used to produce much of the white granulated sugar sold in the United States.

Canola is commonly used in vegetable and canola oils.

Papaya grown in Hawaii was bioengineered to resist a virus that was threatening to wipe out the entire crop.

Cotton is used to produce cottonseed oil, found in many cooking and frying oils.

Is Bioengineered Food Safe to Eat?

This is the question most families want answered first. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, after reviewing hundreds of studies over many years, there’s no credible evidence that currently available bioengineered foods are unsafe for human health. Major health organizations around the world, including the World Health Organization, share this position.

That said, many families prefer to avoid bioengineered foods for personal, environmental, or philosophical reasons, and that’s a completely understandable choice. Knowing what the label means gives you the power to decide what’s right for your household.

How Do I Know If My Food Is Bioengineered?

Since 2022, food manufacturers in the United States have been required by law to disclose when a product contains bioengineered ingredients. You can look for the label in one of three ways. Some packages display a small green symbol that says “bioengineered.” Others print text directly on the package. And some companies use a QR code you can scan with your phone to get more information. The QR code option has been a bit controversial because not everyone has easy access to a smartphone or reliable internet service while shopping. I’m fairly techy, and I’m still learning how to use this QR code approach to reading the label. It has several questions when the app opens up. In other words, you need a smartphone to scan the QR code, then follow additional links to obtain the ingredient information.

How Can I Avoid Bioengineered Foods If I Choose To?

If you prefer to keep bioengineered foods out of your kitchen, there are several straightforward steps you can take.

Look for the USDA Certified Organic label. Organic certification prohibits the use of bioengineered ingredients, so any product bearing that label is free of them.

Look for the Non-GMO Project Verified butterfly label. This is a third-party certification that tests products to verify they meet non-GMO standards.

Buy whole, unprocessed foods when possible. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats that aren’t on the list of commonly bioengineered crops are generally not a concern.

Read labels carefully. The new bioengineered disclosure law means more products will now be clearly labeled, making it easier than ever to spot them on the shelf.

The Most Popular Bioengineered Foods

The most popular bioengineered foods in the United States are ones that show up in kitchens and grocery carts every single day, often without families even realizing it.

Corn and soybeans are by far the most widely grown bioengineered crops in the country. In 2020, bioengineered soybeans alone accounted for 94 percent of all soybeans planted in the United States. These two crops quietly make their way into thousands of processed foods as ingredients such as corn syrup, cornstarch, soybean oil, and soy protein. Knowledge-sourcing.

The official USDA list of bioengineered foods currently includes alfalfa, apples, canola, corn, cotton, papaya, pink pineapple, potatoes, soybeans, summer squash, and sugar beets. Insect-resistant sugarcane varieties have also recently been added to the list. FDA Federal Register

A few of these are worth highlighting for families:

Sugar beets quietly affect almost every bag of white granulated sugar on store shelves, making them one of the most consumed bioengineered foods, even though most people never think about them.

Bioengineered apples have become especially popular because the genetic modification prevents browning even after slicing, which appeals to parents packing lunches. Yahoo Finance

Cotton is also on the list and is used to produce cottonseed oil, which is found in processed foods and used as a cooking oil in many fast food restaurants. Homesteadontherange

It’s worth noting that very little bioengineered food is actually found in the fresh produce section of the grocery store. Most bioengineered ingredients show up in processed products rather than whole foods, which is why reading labels on packaged items matters so much. Homesteadontherange.

What About Bioengineered Ingredients in Your Food Storage?

For families focused on emergency preparedness and building a home food supply, this is an important consideration. Many common food storage staples, such as white sugar, cooking oil, and canned goods made with corn or soy, may contain bioengineered ingredients. If avoiding them matters to your family, look for organic or non-GMO verified versions of these staples when stocking your pantry. They’re widely available at most grocery stores and online retailers, often at prices comparable to conventional options.

The Bottom Line for Your Family

Bioengineered food simply means food whose DNA has been altered in a lab to give it certain traits. These foods are now required by law to be labeled in the United States. Current scientific consensus holds that approved bioengineered foods are safe, but many families still prefer to avoid them for personal reasons. The good news is that you now have more information at your fingertips at the grocery store than ever before, and whether you choose to buy bioengineered foods or not, you can shop with confidence knowing exactly what that little label means.

Knowledge is one of the best tools in any prepared family’s toolkit. Keep reading, keep learning, and keep taking good care of your family.

GMO Foods: Everything You Need to Know

Grocery Shopping Life Skills

Final Word

Understanding what’s on your food labels is one of the most practical things you can do for your family. The bioengineered label doesn’t have to feel confusing or overwhelming. It’s simply information, and information is power. Whether you choose to embrace bioengineered foods, avoid them entirely, or land somewhere in the middle, what matters most is that you’re making an informed decision based on facts rather than fear. That’s what being a prepared, confident family is all about. Keep asking questions, keep reading labels, and keep doing the wonderful work of caring for the people around your table. May God bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: GMO Fruits and Vegetables Depositphotos_332993552_S, GMO Vegetables Depositphotos_588361574_S

The post What Is Bioengineered Food? A Simple Guide for Families appeared first on Food Storage Moms.

Here is my list of 11 things every pantry needs to cook from scratch. If you start with this list, the sky is the limit for making just about every baked item we’d like to bake. Now we can add more foods to our pantry to make even more meals. But today I am just going to talk about what you can make any time with the baking items below. Yep, you can do it! You don’t even need an electric mixer. If you have a large bowl, that would really help, depending on what you decide to make.

I’ve been telling my readers for years that they need to get back to the basics when it comes to food preparation. This really holds true when it comes to having things on hand if and when a disaster or other emergency occurs. Once you get your act together, please be sure to spend time with your kids and grandkids and explain the whys and hows of food prep and a quality pantry inventory. You’ll be glad you did, and so will they. These items are in the pantry and/or the freezer.

What Every Pantry Needs:

1. Honey

The great thing about honey is that it lasts forever. It might crystallize over time, but it’s still great to use. You might need a chisel, but it tastes great, soft or hard. One thing about honey, you can drizzle it on homemade biscuits, bread, or pancakes. Yummy! My baking items have to include honey!

I recommend Cox’s Honey: https://coxshoney. They have true raw honey you’ll love. 

Be careful with honey and babies. Please do your research. I cringe when I have people tell me they just bought several 5-gallon buckets of honey to store.

Please put the honey in quart glass jars, or you may be sorry, just so you know. It’ll last forever, but you’ll need a way to soften it before you can use it. I know because I’ve had to put my half-gallon plastic containers of honey outside in the heat of the summer and keep my fingers crossed that it would go back to its original consistency.

2. Real Salt

Everyone usually has some salt in the cupboard. Here’s the deal with salt: our bodies need salt to survive. I’m not talking about excessive amounts, but salt makes some foods taste better as well. Plus, I need to bake certain items as listed below, and I need salt to make it all work right. This is my favorite: Redmond Real Salt, Fine Ground

3. Olive Oil

We can use olive oil for so many baked items, which I list below. Remember, olive oil doesn’t have a long shelf life. I never store mine for more than 1 year. Six months is even better. But I’ve been invited to eat at homes where the olive oil on side dishes or salads tastes rancid. Some people have had it for years. Oh, man, it’s bad, in my opinion. When in doubt…throw it out.

4. SAF Yeast

I realize you can make a lot of things without this commercial yeast. My very good friend, Melissa Richardson, who wrote the book “The Art of Baking with Natural Yeast,” never uses commercial yeast. I’m not anxious to try a bunch of new things when I know my recipe works great and I still love my no-fail, freshly ground, whole-wheat bread. Saf Instant Yeast

One thing I want to stress is the need for fresh ingredients, especially yeast. If a reader mentions they didn’t like the results of their homemade bread, I always ask if they used fresh yeast. I do keep some yeast in my fridge, but the bulk of it is in my freezer.

5. Baking Soda

This is a “must-have” for some homemade food items. This is a very important baking item to keep in the pantry. It’s a leavening agent to help baked goods rise. I quote Medical News Today: “People tend to use baking soda in recipes with acidic ingredients, such as cocoa powder or buttermilk. When added to a mixture, baking soda reacts with an acid to produce carbon dioxide. Baking in a hot oven causes the batter to expand and rise, giving the finished product a soft, fluffy texture. Baking soda also helps baked goods to brown. That means people tend to use it to make things such as cookies.”

6. Baking Powder

This is also a “must-have” for some homemade items. It’s a leavening agent to help baking goods rise. I quote Medical News Today: “Baking powder already contains acid. People use baking powder when a recipe doesn’t include an acidic ingredient. In most cases, manufacturers label baking powder as double-acting. That means it’ll activate and start producing carbon dioxide when a person mixes it with a liquid. It will activate again when they heat up or cook the mixture.”

7.  Coconut Oil

Let me count the ways we can use coconut oil! Not just for the pantry… plus, this has a longer shelf life than most oils. The temperature where it’s stored is critical. I try to store many of my “pantry” items in a cool, dark place, not in a hot garage. I want to get the best shelf life I can out of my food storage items, so proper storage conditions are important.

8. Powdered Butter

Well, we do need some powdered butter in the pantry. Do you remember me telling you I opened a can of powdered butter, mixed the portions on the can, and started stirring? I start gagging just thinking of the smell. The website said it tasted just like “Land O’Lakes” butter. NO WAY! I still laugh about that. Powdered butter for baking is a great emergency food storage item. Red Feather Butter is yummy, and you can store it for emergencies. It’s a little pricey, but it tastes good. Please don’t “can” butter, it isn’t safe to eat, trust me on this one. Here’s the Red Feather butter that rocks, Red Feather Creamery Butter. It’s NOW too expensive for me. Here are some substitutes: Egg Substitutes by Linda

9. Instant or Powdered Milk

This one is a “must-have” baking item, but it’s also perfect for those days when you’re out of milk and the roads are iced over. You can make milk to drink, cook with, put on cereal, etc.! Love it! The taste of instant milk has improved over the years. I like the flavor of many brands now; in years past, I couldn’t say that. Keep in mind that some may say to add 1 tablespoon of powder to so much water; it’s not enough. Add more, and it’ll taste so much better. Experiment and see what amount works best for you. Obviously, it tastes better if it’s cold! LOL!

10. Powdered Eggs (OvaEasy is my favorite)

These are my favorite #10-can eggs (they have packages inside the cans). They are 100% eggs. Of course, if you have chickens or quail, you’re set for any meal with tasty, fresh eggs. OvaEasy Eggs. Please keep in mind that they have a very short shelf life, in my opinion. Their website states that once opened, it remains valid for 1 year, and if unopened, for up to 7 years. OvaEasy Website. They are the only real eggs that taste great, from my personal experience. Here’s a post I wrote about a few different powdered eggs products. How To Use Powdered Eggs.

11. Wheat (I prefer Hard White), White Bread Flour, Gluten-Free Flour

If you have wheat, you’ll need a wheat grinder. You can sprout wheat as well. Be sure to check the shelf life for white flour (12 months at the most). Please don’t go out and buy it and then try to store large bags of flour. They’ll go rancid in a year or two, so purchase them in moderation. When in doubt, throw it out. I believe in waste not, want not, too, but I don’t want to get the “flu” as in food poisoning.

Related: 13 Surprising Uses for Flour

Meals You Can Make With 11 Basic Baking Items:

Bread is a real staple in our house, but with wheat and related flour, you can make pancakes, muffins, pasta, cracked wheat, sprouted wheat, and tortillas. You can also make crackers, mayonnaise, English muffins, Swedish Hotcakes, Popeye Pancakes, cookies, and crepes. The list also includes custards, puddings, cakes, waffles, and biscuits. Is your mouth watering now? I decided to make some crepes for Father’s Day Breakfast, and they were delicious!

Here’s the deal: look at all these items you can make in a disaster situation with just these 11 items. If you have some fruit, vegetables, and cheese, you’ll rock when preparing meals, in an emergency, or just every day! These are just a few of the things every pantry needs.

These bread and hamburger buns can be made by hand, but my hands hurt these days, so I invested in a Zojirushi Breadmaker

PRINTABLE recipes: Whole-Wheat-Bread-For-Two Recipe, White-Bread-For-Two Recipe, and The Best Hamburger Buns by Linda.

Let’s be ready for those winter storms. Please fill your pantry with these basic baking items. Remember, if you can afford to get that $30.00 butane stove, you can cook inside (just crack a window)! Stock up on a few cans of butane and be ready when the power goes out. Butane Stove and Butane Fuel.

What other food items should I consider when putting together my emergency food plan?

If you’re just getting started with your pantry food storage stash, these 11 items are must-haves. To expand on the theme of pantry staples and build a more robust inventory, consider investing in some or all of the following items. You don’t need to purchase things all at once. I’ve always suggested “one can at a time” to make the most of your food budget dollars.

Canned Goods

Canned Goods: Even when you’re cooking from scratch, you can add things that come in cans when making that soup, stew, or casserole. Canned goods come in all varieties and have a longer shelf life. Consider having some beans like black beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans, along with other veggies like squash, green beans, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, and onions. Plan to add canned fruits such as peaches, pears, plums, and cherries.

Also have some quality canned meats like tuna, chicken, beef, and pork. Yes, we can get lots of protein from beans, but meat is a critical source of quick protein, particularly in stressful situations.

Herbs and Spices

Herbs and Spices: to add the desired flavors we’re used to having with our meals, we need to store a variety of herbs and spices. Some of the more common ones you might want are garlic, pepper, cumin, oregano, thyme, basil, curry, parsley, lime, and turmeric. Many come in powder form, like garlic, chili, and onion, but they also come in a more coarse-ground version. Also, peppers come in a wide variety of names and flavors, too.

Don’t forget to add some extracts, like vanilla extract, to enhance flavors, especially in homemade desserts.

Rice

Rice: A staple that pairs well with many other foods to make a meal. There are many different options when it comes to rice, and some have longer shelf lives than others. Brown rice tends to spoil sooner, so I’ve gone with jasmine and basmati. The basmati is a special long-grain rice that chefs seem to like. Rice is popular worldwide and is known for making you feel full.

Condiments

Condiments: Most condiments are pretty shelf-stable and should last at least a year. That would include ketchup, mustard, and mayo. You might also want to store some bottled pickles of various types along with some relishes and sauces like spaghetti sauce.

Treats and Sandwich Fixings

Treats and Sandwich Fixings: We like to fix some quick lunches during the week. Our go-to meal is peanut butter and jam or jelly. Of course, nut butter comes in all sorts of flavors besides peanuts, so if you want to switch things up, look at almond butter, cashew butter, hazelnut butter, and Brazil nut butter as starters. We also like to eat a variety of nuts as treats. Costco has some great options that come singularly or as a mixture. Chocolate of any variety would be number one for me. Yep, it sure would be #1

Final Word

If you have a pantry or a closet stocked with just a few things, like I listed today, just think of all the things you can make even if the power goes out. Stay safe, and watch your surroundings when you go out in this unsettled world. May God bless this world, Linda

The post 11 Things Every Pantry Needs To Cook From Scratch appeared first on Food Storage Moms.

Why are grocery store shelves so empty right now? If you’ve walked into your local grocery store lately and noticed gaps on the shelves, you aren’t imagining things. Across the country, families are finding empty spots where their favorite products used to sit. Store employees are frustrated, too. Many staff members who purchase the products we want are reporting that the orders they placed are simply not arriving, or they’re receiving the wrong quantities of the wrong items. So what’s actually going on? Why does it feel like our food chain distribution system is struggling to keep up?

Kitchen Storage Containers

Souper Cubes

Tupperware Fix & Mix Bowl 1.7 Quart

The good news is that you aren’t alone in asking these questions, and understanding the reasons behind these shortages can help your family plan ahead and stay prepared. Let’s walk through the real reasons grocery store shelves are running low in 2026.

Our Food Supply Chain Is More Fragile Than We Realized

Most of us never thought much about how a box of cereal or a bag of frozen vegetables gets from a farm to our dinner table. The truth is, it involves a long, complicated chain of steps, including farmers, processors, packaging plants, shipping companies, distribution warehouses, and, finally, the store itself. When even one link in that chain breaks down, the whole system feels it.

The food distribution network that supplies your local store was already under pressure from years of pandemic-related disruptions and never fully recovered. According to research on supply chain risks, economic instability remains a top concern in 2026, with persistent uncertainty about inventory levels and the ability to scale up or down quickly in response to disruptions. Demand can shift faster than the logistics network can keep up, leaving stores exposed to sudden gaps in availability.

Smaller and regional grocery stores feel this the hardest. Unlike massive national chains, they lack the purchasing power to be at the top of a supplier’s priority list. When a manufacturer runs low on inventory, the big retailers get served first. Smaller community stores are often left waiting much longer for restocks, or they receive only partial shipments of what they ordered.

Tariffs Are Driving Up Costs and Disrupting Sourcing

One of the biggest factors affecting grocery shelves right now is trade policy. The United States imports a significant portion of its food supply from other countries, and new tariffs are creating real strain throughout the system.

Mexico alone supplies about 69 percent of U.S. vegetable imports and 51 percent of fresh fruit imports. With tariffs of up to 25 percent announced on certain goods from Mexico, the cost of bringing that produce to American shelves has gone up considerably. Those extra costs don’t disappear. They get passed along at every step, from importers to distributors to stores and ultimately to families at the checkout counter.

Industry experts report that tariff costs could add up to $1,300 per household in 2026 on goods, including food imports. Beyond raising prices, these tariffs are forcing grocery retailers and food manufacturers to scramble for alternative suppliers, a process that takes time and creates additional disruption. Grocery retailers are working to diversify their sourcing, expanding into other regions across Latin America and North America, but building new supplier relationships doesn’t happen overnight. In the meantime, your store may simply not have certain items it used to carry reliably.

Weather and Climate Are Hitting Farms Hard

Our food supply depends on good growing seasons, and those have become far less predictable. Extreme weather events are affecting crops around the world and right here at home.

Florida, for example, experienced some of its coldest temperatures on record in early 2026. Cold snaps like that damage or destroy crops that families across the country count on, including winter vegetables and citrus. Research estimates that global yields of barley, corn, and wheat are already four to thirteen percent lower than they would be without the climate trends of recent decades. These aren’t small numbers when you’re talking about the ingredients in bread, pasta, cereal, and dozens of other staple foods.

The avian flu outbreak that devastated the egg industry in 2025 is another example of how quickly a single agricultural crisis can empty a store shelf. One facility in Colorado alone lost 1.3 million egg-laying chickens to the disease in January 2026. The cattle industry is also facing pressure from shrinking herd sizes and disease concerns, which are making beef both more expensive and harder to find in some areas.

Labor Shortages Slow Down the Entire System

Even when food products exist, getting them to the store shelf requires people. Lots of them. Truck drivers are needed to move goods. Warehouse workers are needed to sort and load shipments. Store employees are needed to unpack and stock shelves. Labor shortages at every stage slow the system down.

Grocery stores have been especially hard hit by high employee turnover rates. When a store is understaffed, products can sit in a back room instead of making it to the shelf. Drivers who aren’t available mean shipments arrive late or not at all. Processing facilities running below capacity produce fewer goods per day. The result is the empty aisle that greets you when you head in for your weekly shopping trip.

Smaller stores struggle even more with this problem because they can’t compete with the wages offered by large national chains or major distribution centers. This creates a cycle in which stores serving local communities are least equipped to keep shelves stocked during a labor crunch.

Technology Disruptions Can Shut Down Ordering Systems

In the summer of 2025, one of the largest food distributors in North America suffered a cyberattack that shut down its entire ordering and distribution network. Grocery stores that relied on that distributor were suddenly unable to place orders through normal channels, and shipments stopped arriving. Employees were reporting that the orders they had requested were simply not coming through, and the products they did receive were mismatched with what they actually needed.

This incident was a sobering reminder of how dependent our food supply chain has become on digital systems. When those systems go down, even a well-stocked warehouse can’t get food to the stores that need it. The ripple effect of a single technology failure can leave shelves bare for days or even weeks.

What Can Your Family Do Right Now?

Understanding these challenges is the first step, but knowing how to respond is just as important. Here are some practical steps that can make a real difference for your family.

Build a rotating pantry. One of the smartest things you can do is keep a supply of shelf-stable foods your family regularly uses and rotates through on hand. When an item is available, buy a little extra. This protects you from short-term disruptions without requiring a huge upfront investment.

Shop early in the day. Deliveries to grocery stores typically occur in the early morning, and shelves are often restocked by 8 a.m. Shopping early gives you the best chance of finding what you need before items sell out again.

Warehouse Clubs

Consider warehouse clubs. Stores like Costco and Sam’s Club receive far more frequent deliveries from brand manufacturers than typical supermarkets do, making them more reliably stocked during shortage periods.

Diversify where you shop. Don’t rely on just one store for all of your family’s needs. Knowing the options in your area, including local farms, farmers’ markets, and smaller specialty stores, gives you more places to turn when your usual store is running low.

Learn to cook flexibly. Families who know how to cook with a variety of ingredients and can swap one protein or vegetable for another are far better positioned to put a good meal on the table, even when shelves are thin.

Consider long-term food storage. Freeze-dried foods, canned goods, and other long-shelf-life staples are a wise investment for any family that wants to feel secure, no matter what happens with the supply chain. Building up even a few weeks of emergency food gives you peace of mind and reduces the pressure you feel every time you walk into a half-empty store.

You’re Already Doing the Right Things

If you’re someone who thinks about food storage and preparedness, the current situation is a reminder of why that mindset matters so much. Supply chains are complex and can be disrupted by weather, economic conditions, disease, technology failures, or policy changes, sometimes all at once. Families who’ve taken steps to build up a pantry and think ahead are in a much stronger position than those who depend entirely on store shelves being full all the time.

Where Does Our Food Come From, Really?

Please Stock Up On Canned Goods ASAP

Final Word

The goal is never to panic or hoard. The goal is to be the kind of family that stays calm and cared for, no matter what the grocery store situation looks like. Keep learning, keep preparing, and keep encouraging the people around you to do the same. We are all in this together. May God bless this world, Linda

The post Why Are Grocery Store Shelves So Empty Right Now? appeared first on Food Storage Moms.

Mental Health During Emergencies: How to cope and help your community. Life has a way of throwing us off course when we least expect it. Whether a loved one is rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night, a natural disaster strikes your neighborhood, or a neighbor is recovering from surgery, these moments carry a weight that can feel overwhelming. The good news is that there are practical, time-tested ways to protect your mental health during a crisis and show up for the people around you in meaningful ways.

Understanding the Stress of Emergencies

When an emergency happens, your body responds instantly. Your heart races, your thoughts scatter, and the world feels uncertain. This is a completely normal reaction. The human nervous system is wired to respond to threats, which is why even a loved one’s planned surgery can leave you feeling anxious and on edge.

The most important thing to understand is that your feelings are valid. Fear, helplessness, sadness, and even anger are all common responses to crisis situations. Naming those emotions is actually the first step toward managing them.

Common emotional responses during emergencies include disbelief or shock in the early hours, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, irritability or mood swings, physical symptoms such as headaches or an upset stomach, and a feeling of wanting to do something but not knowing what.

If these feelings persist for several weeks or begin to interfere with your daily life, consider reaching out to a mental health professional. Many offer telehealth appointments, which can be especially helpful when you can’t leave home.

Coping When Someone You Love Is in the Hospital

Waiting rooms are some of the hardest places to sit. The combination of fluorescent lighting, uncertain timelines, and unanswered questions creates a stressful environment unlike almost any other. Here are strategies that can help you hold yourself together during those long hours.

Stay anchored to the present moment. When your mind starts spiraling into worst-case scenarios, gently bring yourself back to right now. Take ten slow breaths. Notice what you can see, hear, and feel in the room around you. This is a simple grounding technique that can interrupt the anxiety cycle.

Keep your blood sugar stable. Hospital stress often means skipped meals. Bring snacks from home or the gift shop, eat regularly, and stay hydrated. A granola bar and a bottle of water can do more for your mental state than you might expect.

Accept help when it’s offered. Many people instinctively say they’re fine and turn down assistance. During a hospital stay, let others help you. Let someone bring you a meal. Let a friend sit with you. Let someone watch the kids and/or the pets. Accepting support isn’t a weakness; it’s wisdom.

Limit information overload. During a medical crisis, well-meaning family members often text constantly for updates. It’s okay to designate one person as the point of contact for communication and step away from your phone for periods of time. Constant notifications add to stress rather than reduce it.

Permit yourself to step outside. Fresh air, even for five minutes in a hospital parking lot, can reset your nervous system. Walk around the block, sit in the sun, or simply breathe deeply away from the waiting room.

Coping After a Neighborhood Disaster

When a disaster strikes your community, whether it’s flooding, a house fire, a tornado, or any sudden event, the emotional aftermath can linger long after the immediate danger’s passed. Many people are surprised to find that the stress doesn’t go away once the crisis is over. In fact, it often intensifies as the adrenaline fades and reality sets in.

Give yourself time to process. There’s no set timeline for recovery. Some people feel okay within days; others carry the weight of a disaster for months, particularly in regard to the financial challenges that often follow. Both are normal. Allow yourself to move through the experience without judging your pace.

Create small routines. When the world feels chaotic, routine provides comfort. Even simple routines, like making coffee in the morning, taking an evening walk, or reading before bed, signal to your nervous system that safety is possible.

Stay connected to people. Isolation after a disaster is common but counterproductive. Reach out to neighbors, friends, and family. Talk about what you experienced. Shared stories help everyone process what happened and build community resilience.

Limit media consumption. In the days following a local disaster, news coverage and social media can keep your nervous system in a constant state of alarm. Check in once or twice a day rather than watching coverage on a loop.

Recognize trauma in children. Children often express distress differently from adults. Watch for changes in sleep patterns, regression to earlier behaviors, clinginess, or increased irritability. Reassure them with calm, age-appropriate explanations and maintain their normal routines as much as possible.

How to Help a Neighbor in a Medical Crisis

One of the most meaningful things you can do during a neighbor’s medical emergency is show up in concrete, practical ways. Vague offers like “let me know if you need anything” are well-intentioned but rarely acted upon. Instead, offer specific help.

Meals are one of the greatest gifts you can give a family in crisis. A warm dinner delivered to the door removes one enormous burden from a caregiver’s shoulders. You don’t need to be a gourmet cook. A pot of soup, a pan of lasagna, or even a rotisserie chicken with a bag of salad counts as a tremendous act of love.

Consider organizing a meal train with other neighbors. Online tools make it easy to coordinate who brings food and when, so the family receives consistent support over several days or weeks rather than ten casseroles on the first day and nothing after that.

Other practical ways to help include offering to pick up children from school or watch them for an afternoon, taking care of a neighbor’s pet while they are at the hospital, mowing the lawn or shoveling snow so they don’t come home to more stress, running errands or picking up prescriptions, and sitting with the patient at the hospital so the primary caregiver can go home to rest.

Welcoming a New Baby

A new baby is a joyful event, but it’s also one of the most physically and emotionally demanding transitions a family can face. Sleep deprivation alone can make new parents feel like they are barely surviving.

The best thing you can do for a family with a newborn is reduce their mental load. Bring meals that are easy to reheat. Offer to hold the baby for an hour so parents can sleep. If you’re close to the family, offer to help with laundry or light housekeeping. These acts of service speak volumes.

Be mindful not to overstay your welcome. A short, purposeful visit is far more helpful than a long social call that leaves an already exhausted parent struggling to stay awake out of politeness.

Also watch for signs of postpartum depression in new mothers, which affects a significant number of women. Symptoms can include persistent sadness, difficulty bonding with the baby, extreme fatigue beyond typical newborn exhaustion, and feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness. Encourage the mother to speak with her doctor, and let her know she isn’t alone.

Supporting a Neighbor Recovering from Surgery

Surgical recovery is often longer and harder than people expect. The first few weeks can be particularly isolating, especially if mobility is limited.

Check in regularly, even with a simple text. Knowing someone is thinking of you makes an enormous difference during recovery. Offer to pick up groceries or run to the pharmacy. Bring over an audiobook or a puzzle if the person enjoys those things. Offer to drive them to follow-up appointments.

Respect their need for rest. Recovery requires energy, and that energy is best spent healing. Keep visits short and cheerful, and follow the patient’s cues about when they’re getting tired.

Building a Resilient Neighborhood

Emergencies reveal the character of a community. When neighbors know and care for one another, the burden of any one person’s crisis becomes lighter because it’s shared. This kind of community resilience doesn’t happen overnight; it’s built through small, consistent acts of connection long before a crisis arrives.

Introduce yourself to the people on your street. Learn their names. Know who lives alone, who has small children, and who might need extra help in an emergency. Share your contact information. These small investments in relationships pay enormous dividends when hard times come. Emergency preparedness and emotional preparedness go hand in hand. A connected neighborhood is a strong neighborhood.

Utah Suicide Stats

Since I live in Utah, I wanted to research local mental health issues and how they present themselves in real statistics. Here are the key Utah suicide statistics, all sourced from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC:

Overall Rate

There were 665 deaths by suicide in Utah in 2024, a rate of about 19.5 per 100,000 people. USAFacts

From 2021 to 2023, the age-adjusted suicide rate was 20.93 per 100,000 persons, with an average of 685 suicides per year. There were 696 suicide deaths in 2023. Overall, suicide was the ninth leading cause of death for Utahns. utah

Cause of Death by Age Group

In 2023, suicide was the second leading cause of death for Utahns ages 10 to 17, 18 to 24, and 25 to 44. It was the fifth leading cause of death for ages 45 to 64. utah

Youth Statistics

According to the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, in the 12 months preceding the survey, Utah high school students reported the following: 37% felt sad or hopeless, 22.9% seriously considered attempting suicide, 18.5% made a suicide plan, 9% attempted suicide one or more times, and 3.2% had a suicide attempt that required medical attention. utah

Rural vs. Urban

In 2023, the suicide death rate in rural counties hit its highest level in a decade at 26.0 per 100,000 population, compared to 18.6 per 100,000 in urban counties. utah

Daily Impact

In 2022, 14 Utahns were treated for self-inflicted injuries every day, accounting for 3,816 treat-and-release emergency department visits plus 1,311 total hospitalizations. utah

If this research is for a blog post or content piece and you or anyone you know is personally struggling, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text, 24 hours a day.

Suicide Hotline 988 Lifeline

Final Word

Crises will always be part of life. But the way we face them, with compassion for ourselves and care for those around us, is entirely within our power. Whether you’re sitting in a hospital waiting room, cleaning up after a storm, or dropping a casserole on a neighbor’s porch, you’re doing something that matters. You’re showing up. And in the middle of an emergency, showing up is everything. May God bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: Suburban Neighborhood Depositphotos_8716775_S, Traditional Styled Homes Depositphotos_13632272_S

The post Mental Health During Emergencies: How to Cope appeared first on Food Storage Moms.

As I see the price of groceries continues to rise, I feel the need for all of us to learn and use a bunch of “cook at home” skills, including how to make meals like these 10 pioneer recipes. I’m very concerned with the economy of our country, and the world, for that matter. If this generation hasn’t learned to cook from scratch, how can they teach their kids?

Getting takeout doesn’t cut it when teaching our family how to cook. And what about manners? Am I old-fashioned or what? Where have all the manners gone? There’s something about having a conversation around a table. Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox. Let’s have fun with these 10 pioneer recipes!

I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how popular my pioneer-related posts have been. I think most of us have a great deal of respect for the early settlers of our country, and many of us want to learn how to emulate their grit, passion, and willingness to be self-sufficient.

Our ancestors didn’t have grocery stores around the corner as most of us do. They had to cook from scratch because that was the only way they could survive. They could make meals with a few ingredients just to fill their bellies.

Related: 10 Pioneer Skills That We Need

Kitchen Items I Recommend Every Kitchen Has:

• Cookie Sheets
• 9 by 13-inch Baking pans
• Danish Whisk
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Spatulas
• Pan Cake Turners
• Cast Iron Frying Pan or cast iron skillet
• 6-Quart Dutch Oven (this one is basically for outside cooking, but it’s critical to have)
• Cheese Grater
• Pastry Cutter
• 4-quart Saucepan and a 6-quart Saucepan
• Good Quality Knives
• Cutting Boards (I just got these and I love them)
• A Large Pot

Ingredients Needed For Recipes

Most of these are in your Pantry or Refrigerator:

• Flour
• Butter
• Sugar
• Rice
• Salt
• Baking Powder
• Baking Soda
• Potatoes
• Onions
• Parsley
• Eggs
• Salt and Pepper
• Shortening
• Milk
• Cream
• Sour Milk
• Cinnamon
• Honey
• Whole Wheat Flour
• Cabbage
• Chicken
• Pork Chops
• Apples

10 Pioneer Recipes

1. Potato Pancakes

I grew up eating potato pancakes; these look very similar to the ones my mom made for me.

Print

Potato Pancakes

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 6 people

Author Linda Loosli

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon minced parsley
• 6 potatoes, grated (drained)
• shortening

Instructions

• Stir the flour with the salt, baking powder, and pepper. In another bowl combine the eggs, onions, and parsley. Put both mixtures in one bowl, add the potatoes. Make into patties and fry in 1/4 inch shortening until golden brown or browned to your choice.

2. Scottish Shortbread

I could almost call this Norwegian Shortbread. I grew up on homemade shortbread in a Norwegian family. My mom used molasses in many of her recipes in place of sugar. I do that from time to time; you may want to give it a try.

Print

Scottish Shortbread

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Author Linda Loosli

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups flour

Instructions

• Grab a bowl and cream the butter and sugar. Then add the flour. Press the mixture into greased 9 by 13-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into squares while hot.

3. English Tea Biscuits

Has anyone made tea biscuits? This was a really popular pioneer recipe, as were most biscuit varieties, such as soda biscuits.

Print

English Tea Biscuits

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Author Linda Loosli

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons shortening
• 3/4 cup milk

Instructions

• Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Cut in the shortening using a pastry cutter. Add the milk. Flour the countertop and place the dough on the counter. Roll and pat the dough out to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut the biscuits with a biscuit cutter. Place them in a greased pan and bake at 500 degrees for 10 minutes. 

4. Crepes

I love making crepes for dessert or with chicken à la king. These are so easy to make and so versatile. Pioneers MAY have used lard instead of shortening. I remember lard in many of my mom’s recipes, but it’s not my favorite ingredient choice.

Print

Crepes

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 3 minutes minutes

Total Time 13 minutes minutes

Servings 12 crepes

Author Linda Loosli

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups milk
• 1 cup flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon shortening
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

• Grab a medium-sized bowl and combine the milk, flour, eggs, shortening, and salt. Heat greased skillet and spoon 3 tablespoons of the batter on the skillet. Roll the batter around the pan by tilting the pan. Cook one side until brown and flip the crepe over and cook the other side until lightly brown. Repeat until all the batter is used. Serve with fresh fruit, jam, and whipped cream.

5. Homemade Soda Crackers

If you find making bread hard, try making crackers. These are really easy to make. These are very similar to hardtack, which I recently wrote about.

Print

Homemade Soda Crackers

Course Bread

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 12 people

Author Linda Loosli

Ingredients

• 4 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sour milk

Instructions

• Grab a large mixing bowl, and combine flour, salt, and baking soda. Add the milk and butter and mix until it's a stiff dough. Flour the countertop, and punch the dough on the floured countertop, turning it over a few times. Roll out very thin and cut into squares. Prick with a fork. Bake at 400 degrees until the edges are lightly brown. I use a greased cookie sheet to bake mine.

6. Homemade Graham Crackers

I can’t wait to try making these graham crackers again. I have freshly ground whole wheat flour, so these will be easy to make. I love that they’re made with honey. Remember, in pioneer times, the granulated sugar we use now wasn’t available. I wish we all tried using honey as a sweetener more often.

Print

Graham Crackers

Course Bread

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 8 people

Author Linda Loosli

Ingredients

• 3 cups whole-wheat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/2 cup honey

Instructions

• Combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Melt the honey and butter in a small saucepan. Combine both mixtures and mix together with your hands. Do not overmix. Grease a cookie sheet and roll the dough in the cookie sheet to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut squares and prick them with a fork. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. 

7. Fried Cabbage

I’m starting to feel a bit old because my mom made several of these recipes. I grew up on fried cabbage, did you? Note the use of bacon grease in the recipe. Some people would refer to this ingredient as bacon fat, but it all works and tastes the same.

Print

Fried Cabbage

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Author Linda Loosli

Ingredients

• 1 head cabbage, chopped
• 1/2 pound bacon
• 1 medium chopped onion
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Cook the bacon in the frying pan you will use to cook the cabbage. Cook the bacon until crispy. Leave some bacon grease in the frying pan. Add the onion with the bacon in the pan. Next, add the cabbage and simmer in the frying pan until tender. Salt and Pepper to taste.

8. Wagon Fried Chicken

Who loves fried chicken? Oh my gosh, my mouth is watering! This recipe is a keeper, I promise! Don’t think about the grease! I also like to make this recipe with buttermilk instead of regular milk. It adds a unique flavor, but the overall taste and texture should be enjoyed by your whole family!

Print

Wagon Fried Chicken

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 6 people

Author Linda Loosli

Ingredients

• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup milk
• salt and pepper
• 12 pieces of chicken
• 1-1/2 cups flour
• skillet with 2/3 full melted shortening

Instructions

• Beat the eggs with the milk. Salt and pepper the chicken really well. Dip each piece of chicken in the egg/milk mixture. Dredge the chicken in flour. Remove excess flour by shaking the chicken pieces. Place in the hot shortening and brown on each side over medium heat. Then flip the chicken pieces over and cook the other side until golden brown. Drain the grease on paper towels.

9. Pork Chops With Apples

This recipe is the reason I love cast-iron pans! I swear everything tastes better cooked in cast iron, right?

Print

Pork Chops & Apples

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 40 minutes minutes

Servings 6 people

Author Linda Loosli

Ingredients

• 6 pork chops
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 3-4 unpeeled, apples, cored, and sliced
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions

• Brown the pork chops in the shortening. Grease a baking pan and place the sliced apples in the bottom. Sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar. Put tiny bits of butter over the apples. Place the browned pork chops on top. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 90 minutes. 

10. Grandma’s Rice Pudding

Mark grew up on rice pudding, but didn’t like it when his mom put raisins in it. Did you grow up with rice pudding? With or without raisins?

Print

Grandma’s Rice Pudding

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Author Linda Loosli

Ingredients

• 6 cups milk
• 3/4 cup white rice
• 1 cup cream
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

• Bring the milk to a boil, add the rice and reduce the heat to simmer. Cook one hour, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat. Combine the cream, sugar, yolks, vanilla, and salt with the rice mixture. Sprinkle with cinnamon when serving.

Some Other Pioneer Foods You May Want to Try

There are so many other foods the pioneers liked as a part of their meals. Do some research and check out these and others you’d like to make and serve:

• Cornbread
• Biscuits and Gravy
• Stews of all Kinds
• Jerky from Various Types of Meat, Including Venison
• Fruit Pies – Cherry is My Favorite
• Jams and Jellies
• Potato Cakes
• Apple Butter
• Home Prepared Syrup

Did Pioneers Eat Vegetables with Their Meals?

As with so many food items, keeping vegetables fresh enough to eat during the pioneer treks was a tough task. One thing most settlers tried to do once they reached their destination was to plant a garden. Often, that was a priority over building a hut or cabin. At least with a garden, there was hope for enough foodstuffs to stay alive.

Did Pioneers Use a Lot of Flour in Meal Preparation?

You’ll notice that flour was a key ingredient in most of the recipes referenced above. Having flour was critical to survival.

Are Pioneer Recipes Healthy?

I’m not sure the recipes we’ve referenced in this post have all the vitamins we try to see our family consume each day. They also may not have the types of calories that are good for us. I do know that with the rigors of the trip and the physical challenges they faced each day, they burned a bunch of calories!

Final Word

I hope today you print these 10 pioneer recipes to have ready to make when you need to cook with very few ingredients. It’s fun to discuss with your family or guests why pioneer recipes are so delicious and enjoyed on special occasions. We may need these recipes sooner than we think. Thanks for being prepared for the unexpected. May God bless this world. Stay safe and keep prepping, Linda

Other Pioneer Recipes by Linda

Copyright Images: Crepes Deposit photos_132686566_s-2019, Potato Pancakes Depositphotos_10343089_S, Shortbread Depositphotos_28940573_S, Tea Cookies Depositphotos_16215531_S, Soda Crackers Depositphotos_23891163_S, Graham Crackers With Honey Depositphotos_45284895_S, Cabbage Fried In Pan Depositphotos_4685496_S, Pork Chops With Apples Depositphotos_159410530_S, Rice Pudding Depositphotos_5534045_S

The post 10 Pioneer Recipes We Need To Know appeared first on Food Storage Moms.

Today, it’s all about gardening with 5-gallon buckets and my new larger buckets that are 22 inches wide and 16-1/2 inches deep. Here’s the deal: We can’t all have 1-20 acres of land. Some of us have a postage-stamp-sized lot, like me; some have a porch; and others have a balcony or deck. But I’ll bet we all love picking those fresh, sweet tomatoes in the summer. If you’ve ever had a garden, big or small, that first red tomato is gold, my friends. Maybe not worth as much as gold, but I can smell the bacon cooking right now to go with those tomatoes, making the very best BLT!

In most neighborhoods, very few people have a garden. In my humble opinion, I’m not sure they love to garden as much as I do. I love getting my hands in the earth’s soil and experimenting with what I can grow in my area. The good thing about our time in Southern Utah is that I could have two gardens if I planned. I started seedlings inside while my garden was coming to an end outside. I had to cover the tomatoes with garden shade cloth to help modify the temperatures. This is the product I have used: Garden Shade Cloth. I think it’s essential to try to grow some of your food, whether inside, in a yard, in a bucket, or in a raised garden bed.

Raymond Dean White

I signed up for Ray’s newsletter years ago. He has great information on gardening and so much more. If you’re interested, please email Ray: wryter2012@gmail.com, and he’ll add you to his email list. I’ve learned so much from him, and you will as well.

Updating Post Today

I’m updating this post today because, as you know, I moved to Northern Utah almost 5 years ago, where it’s cooler. I finally started some gardening here. I purchased some garden planters from Costco made out of resin. They are 22 inches wide and 16-1/2 inches tall. I’ll add a few pictures of my small backyard, which works fine for me in my current situation. I have them fenced in because we have a small Shih Tzu dog, oh, we love little Stella.

I have a friend 2 doors down who shares some vegetables with me every year; that’s such a blessing. Life is so good!

Why Plant Fruit and Vegetables in 5-Gallon Buckets?

You may be thinking, ” What in the world, why would I use a 5-gallon bucket to garden? Besides not having the space for an outdoor garden, there are various benefits to using 5-gallon buckets. Here are just a few:

1. You don’t need a huge backyard. You can grow food whether or not you have a backyard. You can even set these buckets right on your front porch or deck.
2. It saves space. You still get plenty of food, but the buckets save space in your yard or another growing spot.
3. Plants don’t get trampled. I don’t know about you, but when I had little ones or pets running around, someone always seemed to trample something.
4. They prevent rabbits and other small animals from eating your food. Although they could probably figure out how to get up into your plants, keeping them above ground level deters a lot of nibbling.
5. No poor soil. When you put plants in a bucket, you know the potting soil is suitable for growing because you put the potting soil in the bucket. And you don’t have to deal with as many nasty weeds. I added amendments to mine.
6. The buckets are portable. If you notice your tomato plants aren’t getting enough sun or need better drainage, you can pick up the bucket and move it to a better spot. UPDATE: Tomatoes didn’t work well in 5-gallon buckets in Southern Utah. My new buckets/planters are bigger.

5-Gallon Bucket Gardening Cons

As stated above, there are many benefits to gardening with a 5-gallon bucket. However, it’s essential to note that there are also a few cons. Because the plants are in buckets, you may have to pay more attention to them than you would if they were planted in the ground. Here are a few cons that I’ve found to bucket gardening:

1. You have to water more often. Make sure you water your plants regularly. If they’re thirsty and need more moisture, the roots can’t dig into the ground to find more water. You do have to be careful not to overwater them. Having some drainage holes at the bottom of your bucket can help. You also need to consider drainage material at the bottom of the bucket, like small rocks, so the drainage holes don’t get clogged. UPDATE: I have since learned not to put rocks in the bottom of the buckets/pots. You decide what works for you.
2. The soil has to be replenished and amended. The soil in the bucket can’t replenish its nutrients as it would in the ground. You must replenish and amend the soil with nutrients each time you plant new plants. Be careful when fertilizing to avoid applying too much and burning the plants. Using a compost pile and applying the compost is a gentler approach that eliminates the use of many chemicals.
3. There’s a cost to materials. You may need to buy seeds to grow a garden anywhere, but it costs a bit more than just planting in your yard due to the cost of buckets and potting soil. I suggest using safer food-grade buckets that could cost a little more.

How to Garden With 5-Gallon Buckets

Not everyone has a plot of land they can use to plant a garden. That said, you can still grow your food in plenty of ways! Instead of digging up your yard, you can use 5-gallon buckets to plant various vegetable plants that many people call container plants. You may find plenty of room to place a bucket planter where it gets the needed sun and has access to a handy hose.

Items You’ll Need:

• 5-Gallon Buckets (food grade and BPA-Free) or Larger 16 Inch Tall Planters.
• A drill with a 1/2-inch drill bit
• Gravel, pebbles, or small rocks called marble chips (I bought what was on sale at Home Depot)
• Potting Soil (I bought what was recommended for pots/containers)
• Plants, seeds, or seedlings
  • Vermiculate (Regulates soil PH value and temperature of the soil)

Step One: Purchase Your 5-Gallon Buckets – BPA Free

Mark and I picked up five 5-gallon buckets at a local grocery store. They were in the paint department and priced at $2.99 each. I made sure they were BPA-Free and food-grade. I didn’t need the lids, which saved me a dollar. UPDATE: I purchased some from Costco that are 22 inches wide and 16-1/2 inches tall. I got them half price for $10.00 each. They are made from Resin. They are called: Round Resin Planter 22.1″ Diameter on the Costco website (I got them in March when they were half price-I can’t see the price today).

Step Two: Drill Four Holes in the Bottom for Drainage

We used a 1/2-inch drill bit to make four holes in the bottom of each bucket so the plants could drain after being watered. We just randomly drilled them with no specific spacing, but we did spread them out. UPDATE on the new ones: we just popped out the circles at the bottom for drainage.

Step Three: Drill Additional Holes Around the Sides

Mark drilled four holes around the sides of the buckets about 1-2 inches from the bottom of each one to help circulate air to the roots within each container. After drilling them, we had to use pliers to break off some of the plastic residues.

Step Four: Put Gravel or Small Rocks in the Buckets

When I went to find gravel, I couldn’t find any in a small quantity, so I opted for small rocks called marble chips. You need to fill each bucket with 2-3 inches of gravel or, in my case, small stones. I didn’t want small gravel because I was afraid it would fall out of the 1/2-inch holes I drilled.

Some gardeners suggest using perlite for nutrition and drainage in your container garden. Petlite is a naturally occurring volcanic glass that helps retain water and it provides various nutrients. Do your research and learn how best to use this product and evaluate the added cost.

Step Five: Level Out the Gravel/Small Rocks

Before we added the soil, we put about 3 inches of rock (small rocks) in each 5-gallon bucket for proper drainage. UPDATE: I learned rocks are not necessary; you decide what works for you.

Step Six: Use Quality Potting Soil

I purchased this soil because it’s made by Dr. Q, a company I’ve had good experience with. It’s organic and formulated for planting in all kinds of containers.

Step Seven: Fill Buckets with the Potting Soil

After filling the buckets with the rocks we purchased, we filled the 5-gallon buckets with the soil shown above.

Step 8: Plant Your Seeds, Seedlings, or More Mature Plants

After you’ve set up your 5-gallon bucket, you can plant your seeds, seedlings, or mature plants in it.

Why Do You Drill Holes in The 5-Gallon Bucket?

Don’t skip over drilling holes in your bucket. If you don’t drill holes, you may end up with dead plants. The holes help prevent water from pooling around the roots, especially during heavy rain or excessive watering. If there’s too much water for the roots, they can rot. Additionally, the plant won’t get enough oxygen and nutrients from the soil.

What Food Grows Well in 5-Gallon Buckets?

Unfortunately, not everything you may want to plant will grow well in a 5-gallon bucket. Below, I give you a list of what foods I suggest you grow in your buckets and how many of each you should plant per bucket based on its diameter:

• Tomatoes. UPDATE: I couldn’t grow tomatoes in the 5-gallon buckets in Southern Utah. Remember, you only want one tomato plant per bucket to prevent overcrowding. I must say, tomatoes are the hardest ones to grow in buckets or pots. You’ll need more vermiculite, a lot more water, and water each day. I lived in the desert, where summer temperatures would reach 115 degrees. I used shades to slightly lower the temperature, but they need a lot of water because the soil in the buckets can dry out quickly. My larger buckets from Costco this year are doing a lot better. Plus, the temperatures are cooler up north in the Salt Lake City, Utah area.
• Cucumbers. Cucumbers are great to grow because you can eat them in salads, pickle them, or just enjoy them with some ranch dressing. Plant only one plant per bucket. Space the buckets so that the plants have room to grow as they mature and get the sunlight they need.
• Melons. I love a good watermelon. These get rather big, so you only want one plant per bucket. Again, you’ll want to spread them out since watermelon plants can grow long vines.
• Squash. You can do all kinds of things with fresh squash. It grows well in a bucket, but you can only plant 1 plant per bucket.
• Eggplant. This is another one: you can only put one plant per bucket.
• Pepper Plants. Whether it’s hot or bell peppers, plant only two per bucket.
• Beans. Bush beans are the best kind of beans to plant in a bucket. You can plant three plants per bucket.
• Onions. Not only are onions a good source of nutrition, but they can also be expensive to buy at the store. You can plant four of them per bucket.
• Lettuce. We all need leafy greens to stay healthy and to get fiber. You can plant 4 per bucket.
• Carrots. Great for your eyes and perfect as snacks, you can plant 10 carrot plants per bucket.
• Radishes. I love radishes in a salad—plant radishes 10 per bucket.
• Herbs. You can plant many different kinds of herbs in your bucket. One herb plant will spread and fill the entire bucket.
• Potatoes. I’ve had mixed results growing potatoes. Since they’re root plants, they need space beneath the soil surface to grow. Give them a try and see how it works in your area.
• Other Plants. Others I understand work well, but I haven’t tried to grow in the buckets; the ones I have are broccoli, cabbage, zucchini, and spinach.

5-Gallon Bucket Gardening Tips and Tricks

This gardening method is pretty straightforward, but you always learn a few tips and tricks along the way. Here are a few to keep in mind when using 5-gallon buckets for gardening:

• Companion plants. Companion plants are beneficial, helping keep nasty bugs away while attracting good ones.
• Give the buckets a quarter-twist every week. This helps the plants not grow lopsided, as they love to seek the sun.
• Insecticides. To make insecticide, combine four to five tablespoons of concentrated dish soap with one gallon of water. Mix it well and apply it with a spray bottle.
• You can reuse your potting mix. Once per year, amend and replenish it with fresh ingredients, remove dead plants, and shake loose soil from the roots. Fill it back up and use it again.

Seeds or Live Plants?

What is best to plant in your buckets, seeds, or live plants? I’ve used seeds, but many said live plants thrive best in buckets. I suggest buying live plants if you don’t have a green thumb. Today, I planted plants from the nursery. My seedlings aren’t big enough for a “picture” yet, Lol! I needed to get this post up for all to see.

I’ve found it best to plant heirloom NON-GMO organic seeds. You can save the seeds by drying them after harvesting and using them for the next season.

Other Posts to Read

There are so many vegetables you can grow outdoors, depending on where you live. Check out my posts on what to plant each month of the year!

• What To Plant In January
• What To Plant In February
• What To Plant In March
• What To Plant In April
• What To Plant In May
• What To Plant In June
• What To Plant In July
• What To Plant In August
• What To Plant In September
• What To Plant In October

Garden Gloves

These are my favorite garden gloves: DIGZ Garden Gloves. They come in different sizes; that’s what I love the most. These are the best rosebush gloves: DIGZ Rose Bush Garden Gloves. I have to get a large size for my hands. These are awesome! In case you missed this post, here’s a link: Container Gardens: Everything You Need To Know

Final Word

I hope you enjoyed my post today on gardening with 5-gallon buckets and my new Resin 22-inch by 16-1/2 wide buckets. I love growing a lot of my food, particularly the tomatoes, and I bet you’ll like it too! Life is good if we address food issues by increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables on our own property. You’re so lucky if you have a farmers’ market near you! Let’s grow as much food as we can and support local farmers, too. We can do it! May God bless this world, Linda

The post How to Garden With 5-Gallon Buckets or Containers appeared first on Food Storage Moms.

Whether you’re out on a camping trip or spent the day hiking, sometimes a tick will come along to try and put a damper on your day. After all, when you look down and see one that’s latched on for dear life, the first thought that may be going through your head is Lyme disease. But as much of a nuisance as they can be, and the fear of you catching a disease can certainly be unsettling, you don’t need to freak out. As long as you know the proper steps to remove one, you should be fine. I’d like to take a few moments to share with you which symptoms to watch for in Lyme disease, as well as how to remove a tick embedded in your skin the right way. Ticks on humans: what to do… Originally posted on June 7, 2023. I decided to repost in light of the hoopla surrounding Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS). Tick Removal Kit

Ticks on Humans: What to Do if You Find a Tick

For those of you who have never had a tick on you, your day is probably coming. Do you know what proper steps to take when that happens? If your answer is no, I’d encourage you to stick around because this information could keep you or a loved one from getting very sick after a tick bite. Please note, I’m not a doctor, nurse, or anyone in the medical field. Please consult with your health provider if you have medical questions.

Don’t Panic!

Although Lyme disease is a growing concern, especially concerning tick bites, your chances of catching the disease are extremely low in the first 24 hours. So if you plan to camp or go hiking, be sure to check yourself immediately afterward rather than waiting. If you do happen to find one latched onto your skin, take a deep breath and try to stay calm. This’ll make the process a whole lot easier to properly remove it. 

Have the Proper Tools

Don’t make the mistake of using your fingers to remove any unwanted tick. Doing it this way may remove the tick’s body, but the head may still be there under the skin, continuing to spread harmful pathogens into your body without you realizing it. Fine-tipped tweezers are the best tool for removing a tick. In the past, you may have seen someone use a lighter or a hot match tip to kill and remove a tick, but this isn’t a good idea because it can cause the tick to regurgitate pathogens that can lead to a serious infection. There’s also the chance you can burn yourself with that method.

Proper Method for Removing a Tick

• While using tweezers, get as close as possible to the base of the tick where it’s latched on, and gently apply pressure without squeezing for the best removal. 
• Don’t twist or jerk the tweezers while you’re pulling upward. Doing so can cause the head or the mouth of the tick to remain underneath the skin even when you’ve removed its body. This can lead to a serious infection if it goes unnoticed. 
• Should the head or parts of the mouth remain behind, continue to use the tweezers to remove them, if possible. If you’re unable to remove everything beneath the skin, thoroughly clean the area with rubbing alcohol, then finish washing with soap and warm water. It’s important to try to remove the tick parts that’ve been left behind. You should also consider applying a strong antiseptic to try to kill any “germs” left behind. Do your best for the overall desired results!
• Look for any red discoloration of the skin or swelling in the area of the bite. If you see these signs, it’s better to be safe than sorry by going to a health professional for a check-up and some tests.

How to Dispose of a Tick

While that tick may have caused your anxiety level to kick up a few notches, don’t try to put it out of its misery by crushing it between your fingers. Doing so can cause the tick to release and expose you to whatever pathogen or disease it may have been carrying. Instead, you can choose to flush it down the toilet or drown it in rubbing alcohol before discarding it.  

Symptoms of Lyme Disease

Although Lyme disease is hardly ever life-threatening, the symptoms can be much more severe when left untreated for too long. Do you know what to look out for? These are common symptoms of Lyme disease to watch out for. 

• Fever
• Flu-like symptoms (vomiting, chills, nausea, headache, joint aches and joint pain, tiredness, muscle aches, and stiff neck)
• Rash
• Aching over your entire body
• Lack of energy

Symptoms of tick-borne illnesses aren’t always noticeable. Know the signs of the most common tick-borne diseases so that you can stay protected. The type of tick matters, and the bite of infected adult ticks can change your life forever. If you’re worried about finding ticks on humans, then know these symptoms!

Pay Attention to the Bite Site

If you start to notice a bull’s-eye rash starting to develop in the region where the tick bit you, or a few weeks later, you’re getting symptoms that are common with Lyme disease, you need to head into your nearest urgent care to get evaluated. Getting an early diagnosis and the proper treatment can greatly improve the outcome. Your or a loved one’s health is extremely important, so don’t wait! 

Stay Away From Tick-Infested Areas

Finally, another way to avoid those ticks is to stay away from the tick-infested areas. There are many different types of ticks, so make sure you do your research regarding what to expect in the area where you plan to be outside! Even if there’s a rumor that there are tons of ticks in the wooded area, it’s best to steer clear as much as possible. 

What kinds of ticks exist?

• Deer tick
• American dog tick
• Blacklegged tick
• Brown dog tick
• Rocky Mountain Wood Tick 
• Lone star tick 
• …and many more! 

What diseases do ticks cause, and which ticks cause them?

If you visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov/ticks/diseases, you’ll find a full summary of the various diseases, the most common ticks that transmit them, and the locations where those ticks are most often found. Here are a few:

• Anaplasmosis: blacklegged tick – northeastern and upper midwestern U.S.A
• Babesiosis: blacklegged tick – northeast and upper Midwest
• Colorado tick fever: Rocky Mountain wood tick – Rocky Mountain states at elevations from 4,000 to 10,500 feet
• Heartland virus: Lone Star ticks – Midwestern and southern states
• Lyme disease: blacklegged and western blacklegged ticks – northeastern U.S., upper Midwest, and Pacific Coast
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever: American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, brown dog tick – More often in the Rocky Mountains region

Can my dog get sick from tick bites?

A number of the diseases listed above can also be contracted by dogs. Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the U.S. It’s transmitted by blacklegged and deer ticks. Symptoms of Lyme disease found in dogs are fever, lameness, swollen joints and lymph nodes, and lethargy. The symptoms usually show up within 36-48 hours. Each time you go near grassy and wooded areas with your dog, be sure to check for and remove any ticks you find. That’s one reason it’s wise to keep your dog reasonably trimmed during the summer months, so it’s easier to find the ticks on their body.

Follow Precautions for Tick Prevention and Disease Control

• The best way to avoid ticks is to wear insect repellent containing DEET and avoid heavily wooded areas. 
• Wear light-colored clothing.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts.
• Always wear long pants, high-in-the-calf socks, and boots or high-top shoes.
• When checking for ticks, be sure to look closely in the groin and armpit areas of the body since the ticks like the warmth found there.

What Is Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS)

Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) is a tick-transmitted allergy that causes the human immune system to react to a sugar molecule found in red meat and other mammal-derived products. Here is a thorough overview.

What It Is

“AGS is an IgE-mediated allergic reaction to a carbohydrate molecule called galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, primarily linked to Lone Star tick bites in the United States. Unlike conventional food allergies, the allergen responsible isn’t a protein but rather an oligosaccharide, which is a type of sugar molecule”. ScienceDirectWiley Online Library

How It’s Transmitted

“The condition develops after a tick bite sensitizes the immune system to alpha-gal. In the US, the distribution of AGS cases closely resembles the distribution of the Lone Star tick, Amblyomma americanum. However, research has also documented cases linked to other tick species, including the deer tick”. PubMed Central

What Triggers a Reaction

“Alpha-gal is found not only in mammalian skeletal muscle but also in mammalian organs, smooth muscle, dairy products, gelatin processed from connective tissues, and even certain biological drugs and vaccines containing mammalian alpha-gal. This means reactions can be triggered by eating beef, pork, lamb, venison, or products derived from these animals”. Wiley Online Library

Symptoms

“Symptoms range from hives and gastrointestinal manifestations to delayed anaphylaxis following red meat consumption. A key feature that sets AGS apart from most food allergies is the timing. Symptoms present two to eight hours after consuming a product containing alpha-gal and can be life-threatening. This delay often makes it difficult for people and doctors to connect the reaction to food”. ScienceDirectPubMed Central

How Underdiagnosed It Is

“AGS is widely considered an underdiagnosed condition. A 2022 survey found that 42 percent of health care practitioners in the US had never heard of AGS, and an additional 35 percent were not too confident in their ability to diagnose it. It is estimated to impact up to 450,000 individuals in the US”. PubMed CentralPubMed Central

A Serious and Growing Concern

“In 2024, what is thought to be the first-ever fatal case of Alpha-Gal Syndrome was reported in the United States. The individual, a 47-year-old man from New Jersey with no known prior health issues, died suddenly in the summer of 2024. His death was initially classified as an unexplained sudden death before an allergy specialist ultimately linked it to AGS”. PA Tick Research Lab

Management

There is currently no cure. The primary approach is strict avoidance of red meat and, in many cases, other mammalian products. Some people with AGS can tolerate dairy while others can’t. Symptoms in some individuals diminish over time if they avoid further tick bites, though the allergy can persist for years.

Because of the delayed reaction window and the broad range of triggering foods and products, AGS is one of the more challenging food-related conditions to recognize and manage.

More Tips for Pests

• Keeping Pests Away from Food Storage
• 12 Natural Pest Remedies

Final Word 

For those of you who have a love for the outdoors, the likelihood of you getting a tick bite is much higher, but don’t fret! You’ll have nothing to worry about when you follow the tips I mentioned above. Don’t take any chances with your health, especially when it comes to a tick on humans. Do you have any other helpful advice for those who may have come across a tick on their body? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below. Don’t forget about your pets. Check out this first aid kit for pets!  May God bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: Tick Bite Depositphotos_53022467_S, Lone Star Tick Depositphotos_565635692_S

The post Ticks On Humans: What To Do appeared first on Food Storage Moms.

Are you wondering what to plant in June? Some seeds you can plant are beans, beets, carrots, corn, cucumbers, peas, summer squash, and melons. I’m so excited to share this post with you today. I hope you’ve started a garden, whether big or small. My friends, we must learn to grow some of our food. I updated this post so we can be ready to learn about gardening again.

We can be much more self-sufficient if we produce at least part of our food. Be sure to buy NON-GMO Heirloom seeds whenever possible. Yes, seeds have escalated in price this year.

I highly recommend these for seedlings: CowPots and Organic Seedling Soil. When the temperatures are in line with the season, you can plant your seeds and place the CowPots in your garden.

Raymond Dean White

I signed up for Ray’s newsletter years ago. He has great information on gardening and so much more. If you’re interested, please email Ray: wryter2012@gmail.com, and he’ll add you to his email list.

How I store my garden seeds: 

Plastic Photo Container and Label Maker

What To Plant In June Zones 1-10

USDA Hardiness Zones

Check your hardiness zone to find the best time to plant based on where you live. Check here to find your zone.

Amend The Soil

Please remember to amend your soil, if needed. Here are a few of the items I use in my garden when required:

Azomite Micronized Bag, 44 lb

Coco Coir Block

Wiggle Worm Soil Builder Earthworm Castings Organic Fertilizer

Burpee Organic Bone Meal, 3 lb.

Organic Vermiculite

UPDATE: My New Favorite Soil

I’m seeing this fantastic product online and in local garden shops! It’s the perfect mix of everything you need in your garden.

What Does the Term pH Level Mean?

Are you wondering what the term “pH level” means in gardening? Each plant prefers a different level of acidity to grow the very best harvest. The desired level of acidity varies by plant variety.

You can adjust the pH of your soil by adding lime or sulfur to raise or lower it, depending on what your soil needs for the plants going into your garden space. You can have your soil tested, possibly by your state extension service, or try to do it yourself with a soil tester. pH Tester

What to Plant in June by Zone

In some areas, June is the perfect time to plant in your garden, but in other places, it may not be ideal to grow, particularly if it’s too cool. Below, you’ll learn what you can plant in each zone.

Zone 1

There isn’t much you can plant in zone 1, but here is your list of things to consider planting:

• Cabbage
• Kohlrabi
• Rutabagas

Zone 2

In zone 2, you can plant what you can in zone 1, plus a little more. Here’s what you can plant and feel confident it will grow successfully:

• Cabbage
• Kohlrabi
• Rutabagas
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Carrots
• Celery
• Kale
• Leaf lettuce
• Radish

Zones 3 and 4

You can plant more in zones 3 and 4 than in zones 1 and 2. Here’s a list of what you can plant:

• Cabbage
• Kohlrabi
• Rutabagas
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Carrots
• Celery
• Kale
• Leaf lettuce
• Radishes
• Turnips
• Tomatoes

Zone 5

During June, you can start seeds indoors and get things planted outdoors.

For the best results, start the following indoors:

• Lettuce
• Brussel sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Celery

Start the following outdoors:

• Spinach
• Sweet potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Eggplant
• Peppers
• Potatoes
• Winter squash
• Melons
• Corn
• Bush beans

Zone 6

June is the time to start some indoor plants in zone 6, but many can also be planted outdoors.

Here is what you can start sewing indoors:

• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Beans

Additionally, you plant the following outdoors:

• Corn
• Beans
• Tomatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Eggplants
• Peppers
• Winter squash
• Celery

Zone 7

With the hottest weather coming in July, you should use caution when planting in zone 7 in June. You’ll want to start seeds inside for your colder-weather plants. Here’s what to start indoors:

• Carrots
• Bush and pole beans
• Lima beans
• Tomatoes
• Broccoli

Zone 8

Again, zone 8 is quite hot in June. So, you’ll want to start seeds indoors for your fall plants. Here are some to start:

• Bush and pole beans
• Lima beans
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Tomatoes

Zones 9 and 10

June is too hot to start plants outside in zones 9 and 10. You can, however, start the following indoors:

• Brussels sprouts
• Okra
• Lima Beans
• Peppers

What To Plant In June

Beans

This is one of my favorite vegetables to grow. When our girls were growing up, we grew many green beans. We canned bushels of them in our pressure canner.

They taste so good when they’re freshly picked. I only grew bush beans, but you can plant pole beans if you can support them off the ground. Bush beans grow about 2 feet tall, and the pole beans grow up to 10 feet tall.

Bush beans are ready to pick about 50-55 days after planting. Pole beans take longer, so plan to harvest them in 55-65 days.

Please remember that if you can stagger the plantings every 2 weeks, you can harvest green beans for weeks rather than all at once.

Green beans like rich, composted soil with rotted manure. You plant the seeds 1-2 inches deep and cover them with soil. Space the seeds in rows about 6-8 inches apart. Water them immediately and regularly until they begin to sprout.

After sprouting, they need 1 to 1.5 inches of water each week. They need full sun, so plant accordingly. They grow best when the air temperatures are between 65 and 85 degrees.

When the green beans are the size of a pencil, they’re ready to pick. They can toughen up very quickly, so check on them often. You harvest them by snapping them off at the vine.

pH level for Green Beans: 6.0 to 6.2

Beets

When prepping the soil for planting beet seeds, please don’t neglect the needs of these red beauties. They prefer well-drained soil, never clay, as I had in Southern Utah, which is too heavy for the large roots to grow. If your soil is hard, the beet may become tough and not be the best vegetable to cook.

The temperature must be at least 40°F (4°C) to plant the seeds so they can germinate. Beets don’t like the hot weather and do poorly in high temperatures.

When the soil is ready, plant the seeds 1 to 2 inches apart, cover them with soil, and sprinkle them with water. In about 7 to 14 days, you’ll start to see a few sprouts.

Thin as needed to keep the roots a good size for harvesting. You may want to plant some beet seeds every 2-3 weeks for an extended harvest.

You can plant them in partial shade, but the soil depth must be at least 6-8 inches to develop strong roots. The beets are ready to harvest in about 8 weeks.

When ready to dig, gently remove the soil around each root. The greens can be harvested when the beets are young and the roots are small.

pH Level for Beets: 6.0-7.5

Carrots

Carrots like really smooth, loamy soil with nutrients added, as shown above. I like to moisten the soil slightly, sprinkle the seeds over it, and cover them with compost.

Keep the rows about 3 inches apart and stagger seed planting over two to three weeks to ensure an abundant harvest for the season.

If you live in intense heat, be careful, as carrots don’t like to dry out. If you water them by hand for two to three weeks after planting the seeds, you’ll soon see the little sprouts.

This is when you’ll fertilize with Miracle-Gro Fertilizer and thin the carrots as needed. If you live in an area with extremely hot summers, you can use mulch to cover them.

pH level for Carrots: 5.5-7.0

Corn

Corn likes full sun, so plant accordingly. It needs well-drained and fertile soil. Put 2-4 inches of compost and well-rotted manure into the soil to improve drainage. Corn needs a soil pH level of 5.8 to 6.5. Add lime to raise the pH and sulfur to lower it.

Plant the seeds two weeks after the last frost in your area. Planting and transplanting seeds indoors isn’t recommended, so I’ve always sown them directly outdoors. I’ve heard of people planting them indoors and transplanting them later, so I’m just giving you a heads-up.

Plant the seeds 1.5 to 2 inches deep, 4-6 inches apart, and in rows of three about 8-12 inches apart. You are better off having several rows, as in three or more, than having one really long row.

They’ll pollinate better from one plant to another. For successful germination, please make sure the soil temperature is 60°F or above. This is the Garden Thermometer I use to test my soil temperature.

Fertilize often with nitrogen and phosphorus. 16-16-8 is a good choice for fertilizer. Put two pounds of 16-16-8 per 100 square feet of garden.

Once you see sprouts, corn needs an additional 46-0-0 fertilizer, so sprinkle some around the sprouts. Once the stalks have 8-10 leaves, add a 1/2 pound of 46-0-0 fertilizer to 100 square feet of garden. Add 1/4 pound of 46-0-0 fertilizer to 100 square feet of garden when the silk starts developing.

I recommend planting a few seeds weekly to have corn for several weeks. Sweet corn is different than other vegetables. One stalk grows only 3-4 cobs, and that’s it. Yep, all that work for 3 or 4 cobs, but it’s worth it, I promise.

Corn: pH level of 5.8 to 6.5

Cucumbers

Cucumbers thrive when the weather is hot and they receive plenty of water. Plant them in full sun. If you planted seeds indoors, don’t set your seedlings outside until the weather is in the 70s. Check the last frost date and wait two weeks before planting the seedlings or seeds outside.

Decide if you want to grow bush cucumbers or cucumbers on the vine. I’ve always had better luck with bush cucumbers, which work great in pots or small gardens.

This is why they do better in my raised gardens. I suggest staggering the planting of seeds so you’ll bear cucumbers at different times rather than all at once, with a huge harvest.

Cucumbers like compost and composted, well-rotted manure. They need well-fertilized soil. Cucumbers grow fast and don’t depend on much care or work to get them to thrive. When watering, try to keep the leaves dry to prevent leaf diseases.

Male blooms show up first and drop off. No worries, a female flower will appear within a week or two. If not, you may have to do hand pollination. You remove the male blossom, leaving the center covered in pollen. Use a “brush” to apply the pollen you collected to the center of the female flower.

Use metal cages for vines. The cucumbers will hang better on those because they attach more easily to the wires as they grow. Plant two to three seeds about 1 inch deep and cover with soil.

If the soil is moist and warm, you’ll see sprouts within a few days. Plant the seeds or plants 36-60 inches apart. Bush cucumbers can be planted closer. Cucumbers grow from start to finish in 50-70 days.

pH level for Cucumbers: 6.5 to 7.0

Melons

Melons are easy to grow if you have sunshine, warm weather, and amended soil with well-rotted manure and organic compost. The soil temperature must be above 70 degrees to germinate the seeds.

I typically plant three seeds about 1 inch deep in each hole, spacing them 36 inches apart to allow for growth. Once the seeds grow to 3-4 inches, I choose between the three sprouted seeds and discard the weakest, leaving two standing sprouts.

Melons need water because they’re mostly water, so never let them dry out. Be careful with the foliage because that’s where the sweetness comes from.

Keep the garden weeded so you can watch the fruit when it starts to grow. To test if the fruit is ripe, carefully lift and twist it; it will easily slip off the stem if ripe. 

Late melons don’t slip off the stem when ripe. Honeydews are ready to pick when the area where the melon rests on the ground turns from yellow to white.

Hales Best Cantaloupe: Day to maturity = 85-100 days

Honey Rock Cantaloupe: Day to maturity = 85-100 days

All Sweet Watermelon: Day to maturity = 90 days

Sugar Baby Watermelon: Day to maturity = 75 days

Tom Watson Watermelon: Day to maturity = 85 days

Crimson Sweet Watermelon: Day to maturity = 85 days

pH level for Melons: 6.0-6.5

Peas

Peas prefer cooler weather, so March is a good month to plant them. You can plant them as soon as you can work your soil. It is best if the soil temperatures are 10-20 degrees C or 50-70 degrees F.

The best time to sow peas is mid-February, when the weather is clear until the end of May. Of course, depending on how hot it is, you can replant them from July through mid-August. If your soil is moist or damp, don’t soak your peas; you don’t need to. I’ve never soaked my peas.

Make sure your soil has the amendments it needs. I prefer bush peas because they seem the sweetest. My favorite is called Little Marvel.

They only grow about two feet tall, and that works for me. They’re sweet and can be harvested in about 60 days. You may want to trellis them. Plant the seeds about 4-6 inches apart and 1/2 to 1 inch deep.

pH level for Peas: 6.0-7.5

Summer Squash

Summer Squash: zucchini, crookneck, and straight-neck (harvested in the summer before they reach maturity).

Winter Squash: pumpkins, butternut, spaghetti, and acorn squash (harvested in the autumn months after they reach maturity).

When you plant the seeds, test the soil to make sure it’s at least 60°F before sowing. They need full sun exposure, loamy, nutrient-rich soil, and proper drainage.

Plant the seeds in hills (2-3 each) at a depth of 1 inch. Space them 2-3 feet apart. Thin as needed to produce the most vigorous plant. Use a cloche to keep the plants warm in case of cool weather. Mulch around the plants to keep them moist and weed-free. When the first blooms appear, fertilize the plants.

Water deeply, at least one inch per week. The soil needs to be moist to a depth of 4 inches. If your blossom ends turn black and rot, you have blossom rot. It’s usually caused by uneven soil moisture, but it could also be a calcium issue.

Water must be consistent and frequent for the fruit to produce. If the fruits are misshapen, they may not have received enough water or fertilizer. Check for fruit you can pick daily; they grow faster than you think.

pH level for Squash: 5.5 to 6.8

Marigolds Attract Bees

Don’t forget to plant some Marigolds to attract bees. Marigolds by Linda

Please Check Out What To Plant Each Month:

• What To Plant In January
• What To Plant In February
• What To Plant In March
• What To Plant In April
• What To Plant In May
• What To Plant In June
• What To Plant In July
• What To Plant In August
• What To Plant In September
• What To Plant In October

Final Word

I hope I inspired you to plant a garden or sow some seeds in a pot or two today. It’s all about what to plant in June. The more experience we have with gardening, the more we learn about growing our food. We must be self-reliant, save seeds, and, whenever possible, learn a skill we may not feel comfortable doing. Listen, we can do anything we put our minds to, I promise. We’ll learn together and be prepared better than ever before. May God bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: Gardening Deposit photos_63079453_s-2019, Green Beans Depositphotos_28603853_XL By tab62, Woman Harvesting Beets Depositphotos_162344438_XL By SashaKhalabuzar, White Corn on the Cob Depositphotos_1412420_XL By shirotie, Cucumbers in A Womans Hands Depositphotos_78652184_XL By vladteodor95, Melon Field with Watermelons Depositphotos_78801568_XL By vverve, Young Green Pea Plants Depositphotos_9938286_XL by muzsy, Squash Vegetables Depositphotos_12126351_XL By urban_light, Bouquet of Fresh Vegetables Depositphotos_172853636_XL by Scharfsinn

The post What To Plant In June appeared first on Food Storage Moms.