First Aid Preparedness: Part 2

The Herbal First Aid Kit

The herbal first aid kit is essential to those who do not want to be dependent on pharmaceuticals and the political science behind them. In the event that excessive regulation should take over the medical industry, or should OTC medications be scarce or too expensive, this is where the herbal first aid kit comes into play.

Two main parts of the herbal first aid kit are tinctures and essential oils. Now, let's be straightforward so that no one gets caught up in the marketing hype, there is NO SUCH THING as "therapeutic grade essential oil." Should you be sure to investigate the purity of any essential oil that you purchase? Absolutely! The individual or company should be able to tell you where the plant was obtained from, and how the oil was extracted from the plant, as well as if any carrier oils were added to it for whatever reason. If they cannot tell you that, do not buy from them. However, there is no need to worry about any non-existent certification for essential oils.

While essential oils can be made at home, they do require some special equipment (like a steam distiller for steam distillation) which can be a bit costly. The cold press method does not require fancy equipment, but it can only be used for certain plants and nuts. An oil obtained by the "extraction" method uses chemicals to draw the oils out of the mixture created. Absolutes are often made this way. Your two main options, though, will be steam distilled (which is the majority) and cold pressed essential oils.

Clove essential oil is good to have on hand for toothaches. Tea Tree and Rosemary essential oils are good for antiseptics and antibacterials. Thieves Oil is a combination oil that is excellent against colds, flu, and other illnesses. If you can obtain it or make it, Jewelweed EO is good to have on hand as a poison ivy combatant. Thyme EO is a must-have for parasite and bacterial infection.

Tinctures are quite different than essential oils, and are usually made for ingestion. This can be done at home. (See a video from Mountain Rose Herbs on Youtube HERE)  

Echinacea tincture is good for an immune booster, and there are many others such as this anti-viral anti-flu tincture from Frugal Canning.

And while this is not a tincture or oil, a friend recently shared a homemade cold medicine.

HERE is a link to a PDF of many different herbs and their place in first aid care.

Do you have any suggestions or recipes that you would like to share? Leave a comment below!

First Aid Preparedness: Part 1

One of the most important, and often overlooked, aspects of preparedness is the family first aid kit. The ones you can buy in the stores that are pre-packed are usually very expensive and very limited. Therefore, it is more economical to build your own.

The first thing you will need is a plastic tote to put your supplies in. I would advise an orange or red rubbermaid or sterilite tote. These can be easily found at your local Walmart after Halloween and Christmas.

Then, to stock it. I have complied a list of some items that you may want to consider including in your first aid kit:

• Antiseptic like Povidone Iodine.
• Rubbing alcohol for wound and tool sterilization.
• Hydrogen Peroxide.
• Antibiotic cream like Neosporin and the type. Store brands work just as well as the name brands.
• Hydrocortisone Cream.
• Band Aids of all sizes, at least three or four boxes. Waterproof is best. 
• Superglue, for sealing cuts and preventing infections. (They use superglue in hospitals as well.)
• Non-stick gauze pads of various sizes and surgical tape for wounds that are too deep for band aids. 
•  Campho-Phenique for bug bites and stings.
• A few ACE bandages of different sizes.
• A splint.
• Activated Charcoal, in case of ingestion of anything potentially poisonous.
• Pain Relief tablets like Ibuprofin or Excedrin. If you have children, make sure to get some children's Motrin and some medicine droppers or cups.
• Low dose asprin. 
• Cold Packs
• Curved upholstery needles, locking needle nose pliers, and lightweight fishing line for stitching wounds if needed. (Learn How To)
• Latex or non-latex gloves for sanitation purposes.
• Hemostat Powder to help stop bleeding. Veterinary grade is fine for human use, and a lot cheaper.
• A sport bottles of water, the kind with the pop-top, for eye rinsing. 
• Hand Sanitizer or alcohol wipes.
•  A Snake Bite Kit for extracting snake venom. Make sure to use an application of activated charcoal as well to treat the wound and destroy any venom that may have been missed. See how HERE.

This short list would be a good start to any emergency first aid kit. Many suggest also including a military grade field surgical kit like THIS ONE, if so desired. Others suggest a wound stapling kit, but from having parents and grandparents who have had staples, they are a lot more difficult to maintain, and stitching is my preferred method for larger wounds.

Do you have any other suggestions? Post them below!

Part 2 coming soon, tips, how-to's, and herbal first aid.

Preparedness Series: Intro

So, what is preparedness exactly? At first mention of prepping many conjure images of "doomsday extremists" who have the notion that the world is coming to an end (and we will somehow be able to survive it?) along with a zombie apocalypse and alien invasion. However, preparedness is actually very simple, very commonsensical, and also very biblical.

PREPA'REDNESS, n. The state of being prepared or in readiness.

In readiness for what? You may ask. Anything! Is my response.

Loss of a job. Cut in pay. Long term power outage. Natural disasters. Rising fuel and energy costs.

Anything.

So many, including our family, have found themselves in dire straights due to a layoff or an unexpected illness. Anything that may put a strain on your normal budget is what you need to be prepared for, and you need to be prepared for long term supplementation, especially in the event of a natural disaster like Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy which just recently hit the New England area, and Hurricane Katrina who's effects are still seen and felt even now, seven years later. FEMA cannot be depended on for a timely or sufficient response, as they have proven in every major natural disaster since Katrina, so we must be prepared to take care of ourselves, and our immediate neighbors.

Some topics that we will cover include the following:

1 - First Aid Preparedness: What to stock in your first aid kit, and how to use it.

2 - Primitive Cooking: How to cook what when power is out and natural  gas is not an option.

3 - Water Purification and Storage.

4 - Alternative Power: Such as solar power and hot water and how to build each system to work either off-grid or grid-tied. (Advice from a professional electrician)

5 - Sanitation: Laundry and sanitation tips for emergency times.

6 - Gardening: How to store seeds, how to save seeds (within the law), and some simple how-to's.

7 - Food Storage and Preservation: If the power goes out, you need to be prepared to store food.

8 - Small Livestock and Game

9 - Bugout Bags: Be prepared, in the event of a natural disaster, to have necessary items on hand if you have to leave your home and walk for help due to downed trees and communication.


 All will be linked as they are published, we are going to aim for one to three in-depth posts per week. If you have any requests or suggestions, please feel free to post here!

"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest." Proverbs 6:6-8

Pork Tenderloin with Pan Sauce

I'm always up for a new recipe, and the other day I ran across this one for

Pork Tenderloin with Pan Sauce by Chef Mommy.

It turned out REALLY well for me, and was delicious! I used the leftovers in a bean soup and it was amazing.

I HIGHLY recommend it! Give it a try, and let me know how it turned out for you!

Thrifty Homemaking on a Middle Class Budget: Dinners #1

I have browsed the internet for YEARS looking for meal ideas to fit our rather low-end budget, and have come up with mostly naught. I've came across GREAT websites with AWESOME ideas, don't get me wrong, but these websites showcased "budgets" of over $150-$200 per week for these great menu plans. That is, unfortunately, unfeasible for us.

SO, in light of this, I have developed and discovered a few good tips over the years and want to share them with you. :-)

We are a single income family of eight with a grocery budget of approximately $80 weekly.

Yes, I said $80.00 per week to feed all seven of us (one is a baby) breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

One way that I have found to do this is by cutting the meat budget.

(Disclaimer: These meals are not specifically gluten free and not specifically SUPER healthy. We do what we have to do within our budget in order to not go hungry, and that does not include organic foods and grass-fed meats at the present time.)

I spend about $25.00 per week on meat for 7 or 8 dinners. To do this, I buy 4 of the 10# bags of chicken quarters from my local grocery store at .59 per pound, and divvy it between meals.

This one is frozen but they are sold thawed.

We have just recently begun to do all of our chicken cooking at the same time, on Fridays, along with all the work of deboning and chopping to save time and energy. 

When we can grill them, we do, but when we can't, I bake them skin on and skin-side up at 375* for 45 minutes to an hour depending on the thickness of the quarters. When juices run clear they are done. 

After they are cooked, we let them cool for a bit and then strip the skin off  and start taking the meat off of the bones, being careful of the little sharp bugger in the leg. 

Once the chicken is off of the bone, we chop it to casserole-sized pieces and bag it for the fridge/freezer in meal appropriate portions:

I label the bags with the date cooked. 

 They are usually good in the fridge for 4-5 days, and in the freezer indefinitely! All that needs to be done is a little sauteing in a pan with some oil or nuke it if you have a microwave. :-)

 Recipes for this method coming in my next post!

And this photo is just because she's a cutie!

See you next time on
Homemaking on a Middle Class Budget: Dinners #2

STRAWBERRY LEMONADE CAKE W/LAYERS

STRAWBERRY LEMONADE CAKE W/LAYERS ~
(Just in time for the Fourth)

INGREDIENTS:
•One box of strawberry cake mix (plus oil, water and eggs as directed on box)
•8oz. Philadelphia Cream Cheese (softened to room temp.)
•1 packet (0.23oz.) of Kool-Aid Lemonade
•Yellow food coloring gel (as desired for color)
•2cups Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme
•8 oz. Cool Whip Topping
•Fresh strawberries to garnish.

DIRECTIONS:
•Make cake according to box and bake in 2- 9 inch round cake pans as directed. Turn finished cakes over on cake racks and allow to cool completely.
•Cream together cream cheese, lemonade and yellow food coloring until smooth.
•Mix marshmallow creme in and then mix in Cool Whip until completely smooth. Refrigerate until cake is cooled and cut.
•Cut each cake layer in half.
•Alternating layers of cake with layers of filling, assemble cake. End with layer of filling.
•Top with sliced strawberries.
•Refrigerate and serve chilled.

ENJOY
~Debbie~


SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=357907667616231&set=a.315453138528351.72812.119825421424458&type=1&ref=nf

*RECIPE* Pennsylvania Dutch Potato Pancakes

Ingredients:

4 pounds potatoes, peeled
2 large onions
1 egg
1 & 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp lemon juice
Ground nutmeg
Oil or vegetable shortening
1 Tbsp salt

Directions:

- Put raw potatoes and onions through food grinder, using fine blade. Drain thoroughly.
- Mix in egg, flour, baking powder, lemon juice, a pinch of nutmeg, and salt.
- Drop mixture by tablespoonfuls into two inches of hot oil (375*F).
- Fry for about ten minutes or until golden brown. Drain.

~Serves 6~

Best Brownies EVER! *Recipe*

Best Brownies EVER! (From scratch too!)

Courtesy of Angie at allrecipes.com. :-)

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan.
2. In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.
4. To Make Frosting: Combine 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Frost brownies while they are still warm.


**I double the recipe for a family size pan (13x9) and increase baking time by 4 minutes. Frosting is optional of course. :-)

Peanut Butter Balls:

Ingredients:

*4 cups powdered sugar,

*18 oz creamy peanut butter,

*1/2 cup butter, softened,

*aprox. 12oz milk chocolate chips

*1/2 bar parafin wax.



Directions:

* Mix together peanut butter, sugar, and butter in a large bowl until all of the sugar has been mixed in then cover and refrigerate while melting the chocolate.

* Melt chocolate chips and wax on stovetop in a double boiler.

* Take peanut butter mixture out of the refrigerator and roll into small balls.

* Using a fork or toothpick, dip balls into chocolate and coat well.

* Let excess drip and then place on wax paper or greased foil.

* Let sit until chocolate is firm and then refrigerate.

Borax Free Laundry Detergent *Revised*

You can view my old recipe/post HERE, but after playing around with the recipe this year, I have made a few revisions, and this time I have photos!

To start with, you will need 2 bars of regular body soap. Any scent you would like, any brand you would prefer. Dr Bronners has good natural body soap in a variety of scents if you would like a natural soap. I used Softsoap or Dial most of the time just because it is more cost-efficient. :-)

Photo Credit http://igknowidea.blogspot.com

You will also need one cup of washing soda (Sodium Carbonate) and one cup of baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate).

Photo Credit http://greenergreener.com

Hardware includes a large stock pot, a metal or wooden stirring utensil, a five gallon bucket with a lid (for safety), and hot tap water. I got my five gallon bucket from my dad who has a pool, I just washed it really well, but Hardware Stores like Lowes usually carry them for about $3-$5 each.

To begin:

#1 - Cut, chop, shred, or grate the bars of soap. The smaller the pieces, the better and quicker they will melt.

Photo Credit http://1.bp.blogspot.com

#2 - In your stockpot, combine your soap shreds and 2 cups of hot water, and stir over medium heat until soap pieces have melted. *Do not leave unattended for too long, because soap will burn.*

#3 - When soap has melted, add your additional 2 cups of hot water and stir together. Then reduce heat to medium-low and add your baking soda and washing soda. Stir well until the powders are dissolved.

#4 - At this point you can add a fragrance oil or essential oil of your choosing if you would like. For this batch, I am using coconut scented soap, and I am adding about a tablespoon of lemongrass essential oil for additional fragrance.

#5 - Now, pour your soap mixture *carefully, it's hot!* into your five gallon bucket, and fill the bucket to about 2 inches from the top with hot tap water.

#6 - Once the bucket is full, stir well to combine soap mixture and water, cover, and let sit overnight.

#7 - The next morning, you should notice a gel like consistency at the top of the bucket. This is good! This is how it is suppose to look. :-) Stir the contents of your bucket well, and you should now have a slightly lumpy looking thick liquid. This is your "concentrate". You can do what I do and just leave it in the bucket and use 1/2 cup per load. It make things easier. Be sure to stir the bucket contents about once per week. However, you can also use an old detergent container and fill it halfway with your concentrate and half with warm water. Shake gently before each use, and use 1 cup per load.

The total cost to make this detergent is about $3.00 per batch, and each batch can do about 100 loads at 1/2 cup per load, making the cost about $0.03 per load. :-)

A recipe for a powdered detergent can be found HERE.

Enjoy! Comment! Let us know how it works for you!