Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: November 19 -- 25, 2023

feralferret

feralferret

Veteran Member
Turkey breast tenderloins are thawing in the fridge. Have to run a couple of errands Thanksgiving afternoon. I'll put the turkey in the slow cooker before I leave. It will make its own gravy. I will prepare the mashed potatoes (instant), stuffing (Stovetop), and green beans when I am ready to eat. I have a mini pecan pie from Walmart ($0.75) and ice cream to out on it for dessert. I didn't need to eat a whole pecan pie by myself since my wife is at her eldest son's house in another state for her annual visit. She usually goes at Christmas, not Thanksgiving so I have to eat my own cooking this year.
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
feralferret said:
Turkey breast tenderloins are thawing in the fridge. Have to run a couple of errands Thanksgiving afternoon. I'll put the turkey in the slow cooker before I leave. It will make its own gravy. I will prepare the mashed potatoes (instant), stuffing (Stovetop), and green beans when I am ready to eat. I have a mini pecan pie from Walmart ($0.75) and ice cream to out on it for dessert. I didn't need to eat a whole pecan pie by myself since my wife is at her eldest son's house in another state for her annual visit. She usually goes at Christmas, not Thanksgiving so I have to eat my own cooking this year.
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Your meal sounds delish, eating your own cooking works.
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Well we ate my cooking. The chicken turned out good, green beans, corn and cranberry sauce. The only thing that cost us money was the seasoning, which I already had. We are stuffed. All the food is put away, so nothing left out to grow bacteria. I don't see how any one in my peer group is still alive because they never put food away until everyone ate supper. But then again there are super bugs out there not that we did not have in years past.

Happy Thanksgiving.
 
kyrsyan

kyrsyan

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Did some fridge cleaning and discovered that the chicken is nowhere near defrosted. So dinner tonight will be venison roast. That is defrosted. It doesn't really change anything else for dinner except the cranberry sauce.

The first steps for dessert are done. I just need to mix in the whip, and oreos for son. Then it goes in the freezer until just before we eat it.

Chai is in the small crockpot. And I'm about to make teas. And then some laundry.

I'm waiting until tonight or tomorrow before I do "Black Friday" online shopping. One thing I am looking at is the vehicle camera that was recommended here. It's 25% off. Otherwise there are some gift items. If they're on sale, I'll grab them. If not, it'll wait until Monday or next week.

It's actually really odd for me. I normally have shopping done by now and only watch for the occasional item that would be useful for us.
 
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SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Our Thanksgiving meal and time spent together turned out great. Plenty of food for everyone's taste buds. Everyone fixed themselves plates to take home with them. DDIL's sister and her new husband were really nice even though, they were both all tatted up on every part of their body that was seen, and he had holes in his ear lobes from those awful plugs they use. We got along really well with them and had a good time.

After eating exceptionally large meals for 3 days now, I'm inclined not to need any more food for another 3 days! I am so stuffed. All we want to do the rest of the afternoon is to kick back, relax, and drink a little wine and egg nog. Probably will find something on tv to watch. A cozy fire is going in the wood heater, so I might just fall asleep.

I'll hit the floor running and get back into our normal activities in the morning. So much still to do.
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Turkey day is over and its black friday. In all my years I've never shopped on black friday or there after either, just never been my thing. If I got a good deal online it just happened, never went looking for it. We don't live near our children and grandchildren so we don't do presents, it would be a burden if we did anyway.

DH and I wished each other happy thanksgiving this morning because every day is a day of thanksgiving for us. God bless us all.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
nomifyle said:
Turkey day is over and its black friday. In all my years I've never shopped on black friday or there after either, just never been my thing. If I got a good deal online it just happened, never went looking for it. We don't live near our children and grandchildren so we don't do presents, it would be a burden if we did anyway.

DH and I wished each other happy thanksgiving this morning because every day is a day of thanksgiving for us. God bless us all.
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I'm the same way, Judy. I never shop on Black Friday. There is not a deal out there that would cause me to go out in that crowd. If I get a deal on something I want to buy, like you, it just happens. There are no little ones in our small family. We don't have any grandchildren to buy for. We just give cash money for presents, so I don't have to stress myself out trying to shop for them.

Here, also, every day is a day of thanksgiving for us. We are so blessed.
 
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prudentwatcher

Veteran Member
We had a very nice Thanksgiving here with friends. Sent everyone home with leftovers, so just have some turkey and 2 pieces of pie left. Just had a turkey sandwich for lunch.

Still in my pajamas, I'm not going anywhere today. I hit the Old Navy sale online and ordered me some more pants that I love to wear and a sweater and a couple of long sleeve t-shirts. Great deals and free shipping. I'm done now. Just kicking back the rest of the weekend.
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Today is kitchen clean up. DH is dirtying things make jello and he just piles it up, gets on my last nerve, although he's a God's blessing to me in so many other ways.

I've got broth from baking the chicken yesterday. I want to make another vegetable soup, DH got tired of it but I still want it for myself. I may make him some chicken and noodles and use the broth for that. if not I'll use it for my vegetable soup.

When I made the vegetable soup the other day I counted the cans I used, 8 cans of something. I put the diced potatoes and mixed vegetables on my next grocery list. the other things like green beans and corn I get in commodities so no need to buy any of those. I also added two cans of no sugar added mandarin oranges to my list. I eat those with cottage cheese.

I'm waiting for the va check that I am blessed with to set my grocery list for pick up. I've got other money but I can wait on the list. I've also added canning jars to my list. one each of half gallon, regular mouth quarts and wide mouth quarts. I'm getting low on those and I never know when I might have to try and can stuff from the freezer.
 
kyrsyan

kyrsyan

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Slow day but good.

One issue driving me crazy is can openers. I don't have to open cans frequently. But I have 4 can openers and the cans never respond to the same one. I've bought new ones but still have the same issue. I got one of the rim ones and it works on most. But even it has ones that it can't open.

Anyone else having this problem? I keep thinking it's a manufacturing issue because it didn't start being a problem until about halfway through COVID.
 
patriotgal

patriotgal

Veteran Member
kyrsyan said:
Slow day but good.

One issue driving me crazy is can openers. I don't have to open cans frequently. But I have 4 can openers and the cans never respond to the same one. I've bought new ones but still have the same issue. I got one of the rim ones and it works on most. But even it has ones that it can't open.

Anyone else having this problem? I keep thinking it's a manufacturing issue because it didn't start being a problem until about halfway through COVID.
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Have occasional issues with cans. Sometimes I have to resort to manual one.

I was wiped out today. Stayed in my jammies in my chair most of day. DH rested to. Had a plate of leftovers and tried to make a dent in the desserts.
 
H

hd5574

Veteran Member
kyrsyan said:
Slow day but good.

One issue driving me crazy is can openers. I don't have to open cans frequently. But I have 4 can openers and the cans never respond to the same one. I've bought new ones but still have the same issue. I got one of the rim ones and it works on most. But even it has ones that it can't open.

Anyone else having this problem? I keep thinking it's a manufacturing issue because it didn't start being a problem until about halfway through COVID.
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I got a couple of the vintage swing a way made in the USA...new old stock still on the original cardboard cards....they were more expensive but they are the the original ones that work...they also have a vintage wall model.. they are worth the effort to locate...i found mine on eBay..the new ones were made in china...and then they were brought back to the US.......but those are not the same
 
kyrsyan

kyrsyan

Has No Life - Lives on TB
hd5574 said:
I got a couple of the vintage swing a way made in the USA...new old stock still on the original cardboard cards....they were more expensive but they are the the original ones that work...they also have a vintage wall model.. they are worth the effort to locate...i found mine on eBay..the new ones were made in china...and then they were brought back to the US.......but those are not the same
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Picture or link?
 
feralferret

feralferret

Veteran Member
kyrsyan said:
The ones I'm using are manuals. I don't have an electric. I'm really about to buy one of the military ones. I just want the cans open without having to try multiple openers.
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In the past, I've had trouble with a few cans that had a narrower than usual rim. I only use manual can openers.

The last one I bought seems to handle pretty much anything. It is a:
Zyliss Lock N' Lift Can Opener - Can Opener with Lid Lifter Magnet - Manual Can Opener with Locking Mechanism - Safe and Easy-to-Turn - Stainless Steel - Red

Link:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F9ZTLJ2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

It's a bit pricey, but I needed something that my wife could operate without having to grip it to keep it engaged.
 
H

hd5574

Veteran Member
kyrsyan said:
Picture or link?
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Sorry...no picture or link.. you just have to search for them... they must be vintage...all of the newer versions are just not the same....I got the kind that were on the original cardboard...the older packages. I found were a bit beat-up cause they were years old..there are lots out there that are vintage but used....i grew up. with this brand but they do wearout over a long time..which is why I was willing to spend more to get the old new orginal ones...just search for them is the only thing i can tell you....they are the best and they do turn up..
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I only use manual can openers. I have 3....one is none kinda thing. I don't think I've ever had a problem with them not opening any can. The one I'm using now is a Farberware from Walmart and has lasted years. So are the other two. Just cheap Farberware from Walmart. I also have P38's from the military as back ups to back ups.

I'm doing laundry and cleaning chores, today. Nothing special.
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I have the Farberware ones too, back ups to back ups.

Finishing my laundry today, two small loads and I'm done.

Leaving to get my wm pick in a little while. And I've got a subscribe and save order coming next week from amazon. I used to use that feature a lot but got a good supply of things and stopped. Its saves up to 15% on some items.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We've finally received all of our orders. I'm stocked for another year on all of our vitamins and supplements. Unless, I have another Sam's order next month, I'm finished ordering anything, until next year. That's the plan right now, anyway.

My first of the month shopping list continues to grow. Cary keeps adding things to the list. He and I were discussing our food storage this morning. I told him that I was afraid some of our storage would get too old, before we used it all, but at the same time, I was afraid to stop buying in case we didn't have enough for what lies ahead. If a SHTF event takes place where we can't buy to replace, our storage will go a lot quicker than it is now. If a SHTF event takes place, I want to have plenty to cover whatever happens, so I need to continue to stock more. I'm in a dilemma as to what to do.
 
M

Marseydoats

Veteran Member
Sherree, you had said your son was getting chickens? You can give a lot of outdated things to them, so it's not really wasted. When I cleaned out Mom's pantry, she had half a pack of sweet potato bread mix, and I baked it for the birds. It was a big hit. Hubs swore that I had baked a cake and not given him any. It smelled really good.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Marseydoats said:
Sherree, you had said your son was getting chickens? You can give a lot of outdated things to them, so it's not really wasted. When I cleaned out Mom's pantry, she had half a pack of sweet potato bread mix, and I baked it for the birds. It was a big hit. Hubs swore that I had baked a cake and not given him any. It smelled really good.
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He wants to get chickens, but he has more projects to get done, first. He hasn't even built the pen for them, yet. I don't know if they will ever get any.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
moldy said:
@SouthernBreeze ,YES!!! I stocked well when the kiddos were home, and now I have a lot that I need to use up. At the same time, things aren't getting cheaper or easier to find. I can't seem to find the right balance between just the 2 of us at home, and what if TSHTF and everyone comes to the farm.
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That's me. Trying to find the right balance. I've got a lot stored, but it's just Cary and myself. No one plans to come here if SHTF. I don't have room to put anyone.

For example.....I just opened a jug of my storage coffee, dated 2021 (first jug of 2021 coffee). It will be another year, before I start on the 2022 coffee. I'm still buying jugs of coffee as I rotate one jug out. Am I insane, or is it just good sense to keep buying as I rotate through this much coffee?
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
philkar said:
My husband would say BUY THE COFFEE!!
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We do drink a lot of coffee! That's why I've stored so much of it. That's only one example, though. I'm using canned veggies that are dated 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, always using the oldest first. I don't pay much attention to expire dates, but I don't want anything to get too far out of date. I'm steadily buying more to replace what I use. I guess my problem is that I don't know what the future holds and how much I need to store to get through it. I don't think I'm the only one, but I want to stay within reason with it all, too.
 
kyrsyan

kyrsyan

Has No Life - Lives on TB
SouthernBreeze said:
We do drink a lot of coffee! That's why I've stored so much of it. That's only one example, though. I'm using canned veggies that are dated 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, always using the oldest first. I don't pay much attention to expire dates, but I don't want anything to get too far out of date. I'm steadily buying more to replace what I use. I guess my problem is that I don't know what the future holds and how much I need to store to get through it. I don't think I'm the only one, but I want to stay within reason with it all, too.
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None of us know. From the sounds of it you have enough to get you through the start of a crisis while you make whatever life changes are needed. I don't expect my storage to feed me for 5 or more years. I expect it to keep me going while I expand the homestead to care for us. Although I do tend to store more of things that I'm pretty sure will become scarce within the US and that we like.

All in proportion.
 
M

moldy

Veteran Member
My attitude also is that I can barter food with an easier mindset than I could something that could come back to hurt me. And 'luxury' items like coffee would be easy enough to put in smaller packages and barter if things get worse... when things get worse... you know what i mean.

DH is out plowing snow - it's still coming down pretty good. I am trying to organize my calendar to see what December will look like. It's busy with activities for work, the wellness center, and home. I do better and make more efficient use of my time if I have a list with items to get and things to do and when.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
kyrsyan said:
None of us know. From the sounds of it you have enough to get you through the start of a crisis while you make whatever life changes are needed. I don't expect my storage to feed me for 5 or more years. I expect it to keep me going while I expand the homestead to care for us. Although I do tend to store more of things that I'm pretty sure will become scarce within the US and that we like.

All in proportion.
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I really don't know what life changes we can make, or how to grow our homestead. With our health and getting older, we can't do large gardens to feed ourselves. We can't have a cow for meat, milk, and dairy. Sugar, salt, how can we grow that? We are totally dependent on the grocery store like so many others are. Yes, we can have a small garden, but there are no guarantees with a garden.

I guess the best I can do is to continue to replace what I use as long as I can and add more of what I use on a more regular basis. That's what I've done for the past 2 months (adding more of what I use regularly). If my ability to order online, buy at the grocery store, or barter is no longer available, we'll do the best we can with what we have.
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
The other day I found a can of coffee that had a marker date of 6/20. Apparently that's it was opened. Its a tin can with a plastic lid. At first I thought it was awful but after the second pot it tastes just fine. I think I have some containers that expired in 2020, but there is no way I'm not going to use it.

I gave away some cans of Del Monte mixed vegetables with celery in it, which I can't stand, not even in soup. They were dated 2017, the rims had a little rust on them (they had been in the pantry closet). Other than the rust around the rim the cans were perfectly fine. I told the lady that if she didn't want to use them for her family that her pigs would like them. If it wasn't for the celery in the mix I would have used them myself.

I didn't even check the date on the cranberry sauce I opened for Thanksgiving but it was just like a new can would taste.

Today was not the best day to do a pick up at walmart. People were picking up black friday merch and the pick up parking lot was full. One item they said they were out of in my pick up was the 1/2 gallon jars, but they would ship, but they won't ship them to my house, probably because we always get broken jars. I went inside and they may have had 20 cases of the 1/2 gallon jars on the shelf. The store worker said he just put them out, really. But at least I got a case. They had not quart jars at all on the shelf, but I did get what I ordered in my pick up order.

There is nothing I can think of that I would need to buy for maybe a month.
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I watched a video on the quality of several brands of canned chicken. A couple of years or so ago I stored enough of the small cans of chicken (crider brand) for me to have two cans a week. I was really into using the chicken in canned zucchini and yellow squash. So I stored enough of those two canned foods for a year, two cans a week with the chicken. I think I went on a diet and these foods were not on it, so I stopped eating it. Or maybe I got a bit burned out on it. I would cook the canned veg, add a can of the chicken, liquid and all than then scramble an egg in it. Basically low cal and carb and filling. Now I'm starting to get a taste for that food again.

In the video Crider canned chicken came in under the median of quality and taste. Oh well, I like it. Of course Keystone was the best but its just too pricey for me. Although I did get good buys on the beef some while back.

DH does not like canned chicken, even using it to make chicken salad. I thought it made decent chicken salad, although not as tasty as what you can get at wm. Although I decided the wm chicken salad was to expensive to buy regularly and God only knows whats actually in it.

I've lined up some utube videos of what to do with canned chicken.
 
kyrsyan

kyrsyan

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I must have needed a long weekend more than I realized. I'm resting. But I'm also getting a lot done. The kitchen is almost clean and organized enough to make me content. I got some things for me that will make some household things easier.

Laundry is almost done. As in everything. All the normal and all the extra bedding. Being washed for the 2nd time this week because son got them wet and I missed it. So they got yucky smelling.

Friend asked me to make a written to do list. I started it and have been adding as things pop in my brain.

I'm letting go of things. I know why I had been holding them but it's time to let them go.

Today I had one of the few times I've been annoyed with my SIL. She has invited family for Christmas for the holidays. I have no problem with that. But she is expecting all of us to buy them gifts. I will find something small but I'm not going all out for people I do not know, who do not know my son or I, and who are very unlikely to be concerned about doing the same. Maybe I'd feel different if they'd made any visits in the past 3 decades or so. Maybe something will occur to me. I don't like doing gifts for people who I have no idea what they may like.

Anyways, pork roast has been on the crockpot all day. It smells good. And I got chai started in one of the smaller crocks. I need to take the time to get taco mix made. I have two packets to get us through but I need to get my blend made. I have all the ingredients, I just need to sit down with the ingredients and the scale.
 
C

connie

Veteran Member
Just got caught up with this thread after a wonderful time with family at daughter's house for Thanksgiving.
I guess the struggle is real for all of us trying to manage decent food supply. But not waste.

I am trying to use up some odds and ends in pantry. I still want to use tomato powder to make tomato sauce and my dried tomato bits in place of canned tomatoes. We use more rotel than plain diced tomatoes.

Posole and cornbread today and small pot roast tomorrow.
 
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