Blogging Bee #1

One of my favorite things about blogging is all the friends that I meet and the things that I learn from all my visits to other homesteads (a.k.a. personal blogs). I'm constantly telling my husband what I learned each day while taking a blog break.

This got me to thinking... It would be nice to share the highlights of favorite things we learn from each other. Just a quick list and a thanks to other bloggers out there doing a great job. I'm thinking it's kind of like getting together to share at a quilting bee all the good things you learned since the last bee, only it's blogging. Thus, the name "Blogging Bee'. I'm sure that women talked about new recipes, canning tips, gardening problems, and all sorts of things while they sat and stitched. And I'm just as sure that they learned new things from each other while they talked. We can do that, too, only via cyberspace!

If you'd like to participate, just grab the button for the Blogging Bee below (please check that it links to Homestead Revival - if not, please link back here) and add it to a post you write highlighting a couple of things you learned this week from another blogger that you think is terrific. It could be from a recent post or an older one; it doesn't matter. Be sure to add a link to their site in your post so others can read it, too. After all, that is one of the reasons for participating in this bee, right? Visitors will be able to move freely back and forth checking out the best of the best! Don't forget to come back and add your link to Mr. Linky below. This is the first time I've used it, so if it doesn't see to work, please let me know as soon as possible. 

Here is my example and my Blogging Bee list for this week:

This week I got a great tip from Anke over at Our Little Piece of Heaven for making homemade dressings. She keeps everything she needs to make the dressings on a lazy-susan in a special location in her kitchen. That way her girls can quickly make a dressing up when cooking. Anke, I think this is a terrific idea and I'll be doing something similar at our homestead!

Over at Thy Hand Hath Provided, I got a great recipe for sour cream pancakes. The best I've ever had. But you'll want to double the recipe if you're feeding more than two and add a bit of milk - I used sour milk and it was awesome!


Soule Mama had a post that I found while researching yesterday's post on storing bread without plastic. If you didn't go over to her site to see these adorable linen tea towel bread bags, you must do so today! I foresee a run on vintage tea towels at the thrift stores!

Finally, over at Backyard Farming, Marisa wrote a piece that included a link to an older post of hers on how to start seeds and make a seed starting rack with florescent lights. This is much cheaper than a lot of commercial see starting racks that can range upwards of $400! 

That's it for me! I can't wait to read your own highlights!

Bread Storage Without Plastic!

Laryssa asked a great question on Tuesday's post regarding the use of plastics in food storage because of the concern of BPA: 


"We switched to glass a few years ago and never looked back. The only thing that's still plastic are the zip top bags. I use them to keep my freshly baked bread in. Do you have any suggestions for something I could use instead?"

Photo Credit: Emiline220

If you're using Ziploc brand bags, according to their website, none of their products contain BPA. Here's the quote from their website:


"SC Johnson does not use BPA in its plastic products, Ziploc® Brand Bags and Containers. SC Johnson is a leader in providing high-quality products. All of its products are extensively evaluated for toxicity and safety and comply with—and often even exceed—applicable quality and safety regulations. "


This is really good news because most of the plastic that the majority of us use is probably from SC Johnson. If you are using another brand, you will want to go to their website and verify that they are BPA-free as well.


That said, I'm still on a mission in our home to reduce the use of plastics because I like knowing that I'm not constantly adding more to our landfills than necessary. And believe me, I could go through a lot of plastic bags if I wanted! I try to wash and reuse as many as I can, but to throw them away after a few uses is not being a good steward in my own mind. This is personal, friends. I can't tell you that everyone must do this. It has to be your own conviction or you won't stick with it, so it wouldn't matter anyway.  And honesty, this didn't bother me so much a year ago. I don't really know why, but now it does. 


So, if anyone out there is interested in some alternatives for your bread, I have found a couple of ideas for short term storage, but none that I've actually tested. However, I plan on trying something, immediately! Hopefully I'll be posting followups to this with some real results.


Sandwich Bread 


• While the sandwich may have been around since the late 1700's, commercially sliced bread was not in vogue until the late 1920's when a machine to slice bread was patented. It was sold in a wax paper wrapper that was not easily resealed. In the mid 50's, bread was sold for the first time in plastic bags. So sliced bread has mainly been a novelty supported by plastic in terms of commercial production.


• Prior to plastic, this kind of bread must have been consumed at one sitting by an entire family.


• If you have some fat in your bread (butter, oil, or other source), then it will help keep the bread a bit more soft and moist. Still, without preservatives, it will go rancid after a couple of days.


• Any remains could be used for breadcrumbs in other recipes, toasted or for french toast the next day, or in recipes such as bread puddings.


• Air is the enemy! It will quickly go stale when left where air can dry it out.


• Don't slice it all at once; only slice what you need at the moment. 

Artisan Bread

• Artisan breads should be crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.

• Unlike sandwich bread, artisan breads need a little air circulation.

• Always store in paper or in a cloth bag.

Storage Options

• If you wish to try and save the loaf for a second or third meal, try wrapping it well in a linen tea towel or cloth bag and storing it in a stainless steel box (a tighter seal would be good for sandwich bread, but perhaps not for artisan breads). Here are a couple of examples by Polder :

• Some stainless steel bread boxes offer a bit of protection but also have some ventilation in the bottom as well (good for artisan breads, not so much for sandwich breads). Brabantia is an example of just such a box:

Some think that stainless steel doesn't allow it to get enough air circulation, but ceramic should allow the bread to breathe without drying it out (might work for both sandwich and artisan breads?). And I love this ceramic version from Andrea by Sadek at Madison Avenue Gifts! However I think it will only hold one loaf at a time.

• Nigella Lawson has a ceramic bread box with a wood lid that doubles as a cutting board. Ingenious! But pricy and hard to find. It seems that the British have embraced this and it is more widely available across the ocean, but a few stores may still carry it stateside.

• Be sure to check out Soule Mama's blog post on how she stores her bread in a tea towel converted to a bread bag. Darling! Can I say that again? Really darling! I'm definitely making some of these soon - hopefully this weekend!

If you are milling your own flour and it is truly the whole grain, your bread needs to be consumed within two or three days unless you freeze it. So these options are only temporary measures to keep your bread reasonably fresh during that short duration. I'd love to hear how some of you are storing your breads without plastic. Please chime in!

Whole Wheat Snickerdoodles!

My favorite childhood cookie, Snickerdoodles, gets a healthy makeover! I have fond memories of making these with an older woman who lived in a little cottage down a dirt road. The first day I wondered down to her house, I didn't know she was someone my family new well, but I just proceeded to make a friend and she seemed to want to as well. After a trip or two to her house, she taught me to make this beloved treat. 


This weekend provided the perfect time to introduce my youngest and her friend to Snickerdoodles. I directed (and took photos!) while they baked. That tells you how easy these are to make... two seven year olds and they did it all themselves!


One more thing... these are not as "light and fluffy" as a traditional Snickerdoodle, because of the whole wheat flour. But don't let that keep you from trying these. They are much heartier and taste just as fabulous. The sucanat adds a hint of a molasses flavor; a great combination with the cinnamon! 


Whole Wheat Snickerdoodles 

1  1/2 C. sucanat

1  C. butter, softened
2  eggs (1 + one egg white)
2  3/4 C. whole wheat pastry flour 
1  tsp. non-aluminum baking soda
1/4 tsp. sea salt


topping ingredients: 
2 T. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon


Note: We used real sugar for the topping, but next time, I will try the sucanat. It should work fine if you choose to use this alternative as well.


In a mixing bowl, combine butter (cut it up if you need to soften it faster)...

along with the sucanat...

and beat on high until fluffy.

Next, add egg and beat again.

Combine the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, and salt) in a separate bowl, add to butter mixture, and beat well.

Shape dough into balls about the size of a walnut...

and then roll into the topping mixture of cinnamon and sugar.

Bake at 400 degrees for 8 - 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cookies will puff up and then flatten as they bake. I'm holding up a perfect specimen!

Baking with kids is certainly a memory maker! If I can remember making these for the first time over 40 years ago, I'm sure my girls will, too. And every bite says LOVE!

Food Safe Options For Kids Lunches

After yesterday's post, it was clear that I had just touched the surface of a big issue for many of us. Myself included. It would be easy to become overwhelmed by trying to make our food storage safer when it seems that most every option has a drawback, whether it's another health risk, a matter of practicality, or one of economic feasibility.


We've all used products that were not deemed "safe" by todays standards. And we probably will come into contact with these in the future no matter how careful we may be. One cannot become paranoid or obsessive about the issue. God has not given us a Spirit of fear! Keep in mind that God made our bodies to be very resilient and able to heal itself to a degree. So if we do get some exposure to BPA or another toxin, there is no need to panic! If our body is healthy, it will work to overcome the invading chemical that isn't good for us.


In my humble opinion, the problem today is that we are exposed to so much that is not natural or in line with God's creation, that our bodies are on overload and can't keep up with the battle. My goal is to help each of us consider how we can reduce the assault on our systems and make better choices that will become a part of our lifestyle and our children's lifestyles in the future. 


Man is always hoping to make a "better mouse trap". And while that can be good for some things, time has shown that other things are best as they are. Traditional doesn't have to be a bad word or always modified! In considering a new product, we really should be asking some basic logical questions, such as how will this new way of doing something impact God's creation and is it counter to how He designed life? We may not always have a neat and tidy answer, but at least we should try. 


So, on to address some of the concerns from yesterday, particularly kids lunch options that are safer.


Wax Paper Alternative

This seems like it could be an option, although it is often made from a petroleum product and many will feel that is not a viable choice. It has been around for a long time and few, if any health concerns have risen from its use. However, there are brands that are available that are "natural" such as Natural Value. They make an entire line of waxed paper products that are made from unbleached fibers, non-toxic when incinerated, and safe for the landfill (which makes me think they will break down or compost like organic materials). They even claim it is microwave safe, but I wouldn't use the microwave anyway. This product comes in both bags for sandwiches or rolls for other uses.

Another line of waxed products is made by If You Care, which uses soybean wax. Again, it is non-toxic, chlorine free, and the company states they are compostable. Unfortunately, I could not find that they made a sandwich sack. You'd have to buy a roll, wrap a sandwich and tape it shut - perhaps with a cute little sticker on the front.

In summing up wax paper, I would not heat food in it under any circumstances. It's application would be limited but certainly worth keeping some of this around the house.


Stainless Steel

I was thrilled to find this product for taking lunches to school! I would have said that stainless steel was not a viable option, but I take that back. Perhaps not every kid would think this line is cool, but Happy Tiffin makes a very nice product with an insulated carrier that would work for many applications. If your child isn't the sandwich type and prefers left overs, this just might be a solution, but you need to know they are not totally leak-proof.


Here's what the company says about their product's construction:


"Happy Tiffin latch tiffins and pyramid tiffins are manufactured of AISI 201 stainless steel. This steel is lighter, 30% stronger, and provides superior corrosion resistance than 18/10, 18/1 (300 series) counterparts. That makes for a light and strong stainless steel food container. 18/10 stainless steel is great if you are shopping for flatware, but it’s not what you want in a tiffin!"

Another stainless steel alternative is the Lunch Bot. These would be a very reasonable option for your younger children and it appears they would fit into a standard lunch box, although I haven't measured to be sure. Made from Type 304 stainless steel (commonly known as 18/8), these containers are food grade, durable, and easy to clean. My only concern is that they are made in China, but they are tested to be lead free by a California lab.  I just hesitate to buy more from China because of their religious persecution of Christians. It seems this company would be above board in their manufacturing, but each must make his or her own decision.

Glass Alternatives

I know glass seems unthinkable, and I wouldn't recommend it for small children, but... I have sent my teenager to school with a mason jar of soup. She has access to a kitchen (because it is a small private school) and she can heat it up in a pot on the stove. Keep in mind that mason jars are extremely durable. We've dropped them on our hard laminate floor without them breaking. However, they certainly can break and if they do, your lunch is over. You can't salvage any of it. This might work for a small minority of readers, as it does my family.

One more company worth mentioning, Life Without Plastic is an on-line company that offers an array of alternatives (including the Lunch Bots) and glass baby bottles. Of course, you will need to use silicone nipples, but it's a good choice. 

Update (3/5/10): Country Life Naturals, an etsy shop, has a wonderful line of linen bags for sandwiches and other uses. These can be purchased with a BPA-free nylon lining OR without any kind of lining.

It may seem overwhelming at first, but the good news is... there are alternatives out there. And most require only a one time purchase since these items are made to last. These beat one option I read on-line: steaming cabbage leaves to wrap a sandwich up and tying it with a string of licorice! Seriously!

Safe Food Storage

If you're going to go to the trouble of storing food,whether for the short term or long, you want to know that it is safe. After all, isn't it one of the reasons we do it in the first place? Because we want healthy food with ingredients we carefully procured?

For most of us reading this blog, we're the generation of plastic. It's in almost everything we use. In fact, it's hard to imagine how people got by without this commodity in the past! Look around your house and consider all it's uses just within a few feet of where you are sitting. But is it really optimal for food storage? Recently, research has shown that plastics emit toxins that may be seeping into your foods when in contact. Hmmm... not good. 


How does that happen? Apparently, plastics can emit toxic chemicals depending on the type of plastic. These chemicals, called biphenol-A (BPA) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), have an estrogen-like effect on the body that can lead to infertility problems and cancer, and are often referred to as "endocrine disrupters". But honestly, I'm sure there are other risks that have not yet been realized. I couldn't even find a consensus on which plastics were harmful and which were not. One site said a #1 plastic was okay, while another said no and some newer #7's might be okay as well. (For more information, visit Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, then do a search in the upper right and corner for BPA. The first link will give you a great PDF to download.)


Safe Food Storage Tips:


• Avoid using plastic altogether if at all possible.


• If you must use plastic, check the triangle on the bottom and use only "safe" plastics. I say this, because in my own mind I'm not sure how safe any of these are for food storage.


Number codes to avoid:  1, 3, 6, 7
Safer codes: 2, 4, 5


• Don't microwave in plastic or with plastic wrap (and if you can't don't microwave at all!)


• Don't put plastic in the dishwasher.


• Recycle scratched, damaged, or cloudy looking plastic containers and eliminate using them for food.


• Don't use aluminum as an alternative as it can release even higher levels of BPA. 


• Choose a safer alternative such as glass, stainless steel, or porcelain.


It took me some time to get rid of most of the plastic in my kitchen, but I realize there are still items that need to be replaced with a better alternative. The changes that have been made meant a switch over to various types of glass containers. 

I love to use canning jars for every day use in the kitchen. These are great for storing most liquids such as left over soups and broths, raw milk, homemade salad dressings and yogurt. But they're also good for some dry items such as homemade granola, flax seeds, coconut, and so on. They can be used to store food in the pantry, the refrigerator, and even the freezer. I keep a collection of various sizes which can be picked up at most hardware stores or anywhere canning supplies are found. But my favorite size, the half gallon (64 oz.) jars are hard to come by unless you special order them. Last year I found that AceHardware.com carries these items and you can have them shipped for free to your local Ace Hardware store (but you got to go pick them up when they're in).

That was the good news. Unfortunately, the lids contain BPA! Jarden, who manufactures most of the canning lids used in America (Ball, Kerr, Golden Harvest, and Bernardine) uses a coating to keep the metal from reacting with the food. This wouldn't be a big problem if the food never came into contact with the lid, but uhhh, that's not very realistic! For example, we have a habit of always shaking our milk before pouring. And jelly is forever on the top of the lid in our house. Still it's a reasonable alternative to the plastic because most of the food is not in contact with the lid. I just wish we could find a better solution.


Leifheit, a German corporation, has reported to various inquires that their lids do NOT contain BPA. Not sure what they do about the metal reacting with the food though. So while this may be a BPA-free product, it might not be a viable alternative. But don't they make a very lovely jar?

Weck makes a gorgeous line of canning jars! Who wouldn't love to have a pantry full of these glass beauties? And they come in several shapes and sizes. But we're not talking hardward store variety anymore. While these have glass lids and are BPA-free, they're pricy. Great for canning your prize raspberry jam, but most likely not for everyday use in the kitchen. Still, I might eventually add a few of these to my kitchen for short term food storage.

For dinner left overs, we've swapped out our Tupperware, Glad, and Zip Lock containers for Anchor Hocking's very retro looking Refrigerator Storage Containers which come in three sizes and can be purchased through Wisemen Trading and Supplies. I remember my aunt using something just like these when I was young. I always thought they were so neat!

When I switched over to these glass products, I noticed that my food tasted fresher and more like they did when I first cooked them. Even though both the base and the lid on the Anchor Hocking set is heavy, the weight helps keep them sealed tight enough for a few days in the refrigerator, so they aren't absorbing other odors. Perhaps  at some point I'll purchase more in the future, but for now I found that one large, two medium, and four small containers worked sufficiently for our family. 


While I've mainly been addressing short term food storage, there are other occasions when our food comes into contact with plastic as well: baby bottles, sippy cups, and plastic dinnerware just to name a few. Take a look around and evaluate what your family is being exposed to on a regular basis. Then decide how much is too much and what simple changes can be made. 


I actually think my food and my kitchen is nicer with glass. It's been a good change.

Prepping Basics INDEX

This is a special series on Preparing for the unexpected with all my basic posts related to the subject. Additional posts on prepping can be found in the right sidebar under Read More Posts Here: Preparedness. (Update: these have all been moved here.)

Is Prepping Biblical?

The Spiritual Aspect of Prepping Biblically

Prepping 101

Prepping Basics: Getting Your House Financially In Order

Prepping Basics: Storing Bulk Food Supplies PART 1

Prepping Basics: Storing Bulk Food Supplies PART 2

Prepping Basics: Storing Bulk Food Supplies Part 3
Prepping Basics: What To Store: Food Items Part 1

How To Use Mylar Bags And Oxygen Absorbers
Prepping And The Proverbs 31 Woman
A Call To Be Prepared

Frugal Fire Starters
Cutting the Grid Apron Strings, One Appliance at A Time
Emergency Meal Kit Challenge
Lessons in the Aftermath of a Disaster

Be sure to visit my favorite supplier for prepping needs, USA Emergency Supply.

Raw Milk Poll & A Give-Away!

I must confess that, although this was not a scientific assessment, I was both surprised and relieved to see that no one reading this blog thinks raw milk is dangerous. Perhaps I delude myself and not one wanted to vote that way. But I'm thinking positive thoughts on that!

That said, it sounds like the majority (43%) are convinced it's best, but a good percentage (29%) still think the jury is out. I hope to gently sway you, and the other 26% who think it is just as good as pasteurized milk, that it's even better in the next week or two as I post on some info that may enlighten the debate.

Tired of polls? I hope not. I think it is so fun to get to know you! So, what do you think about food storage and preparedness - otherwise known as "prepping"? Do you think it's silly, unbiblical, a great idea, not sure? Go over to the right hand sidebar and vote your conscience.   

Let's talk GIVE-AWAY! The good people at Hometown Seeds have generously offered some free Survival Seeds to one reader at Homestead Revival. This would be a great opportunity to start a seed bank in your own home. And if times are good, you can still use these in your own garden - just be sure to replace them in your seed bank when you do. 

Right now, their Survival Seeds are 30% off, so it would be a good time to make a purchase. And they have other seeds as well. Add a few annual flowers to your garden and you have a french potager!

Here's how you can enter...

1) Visit Hometown Seeds and come back to leave a comment about your favorite vegetable seed they carry or a new one you'd like to try.

2) Become a follower of Homestead Revival. Please leave a comment when you do. 


It's that easy! But be sure you do so by 8:00 PM (PST) on Wednesday, because that's when the drawing ends. And it would be sad if you missed out!