Emergency Preparedness is a very important part of every community. In order to assist the community that I live in I (along with one other person), am coordinating an Emergency Preparedness Fair. What is an Emergency Preparedness Fair you ask? Well it is where I coordinate 20 or 30 tables and booths where people set up displays of information and answer questions about being prepared for any and...

Many, many, many of you have been sending me wonderful messages wondering where in the world I am hiding since my last regular posts were last February. Well known to some of you, but not all of you I wrote a novel and it was published.  It is called Longbourn’s Unexpected Matchmaker and is an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (ahhh my favorite). The official launch date...

Well the cold is upon us and I am very happy with our food stores.  I love to go and pull out a jar of tomatoes for spaghetti or some salsa for a snack.  The dried food is also great for snacks and it is easy to make more even in the winter time. I do regret not having more frozen blueberries for my oatmeal in the morning but next summer I will make sure to get more for freezing, my 2 year old loves...

This is a traditional Mexican dish often served at weddings and for the New Year. 1 lb. bacon, diced 4 hot dogs, sliced 1/2 lb. ham, diced 1/4 c. onion, chopped 6 springs of fresh cilantro 1/2 lb. dried beans (any variety) 1 clove garlic 1 onion salt to taste Bring beans to a boil and then simmer in 4-4 1/2 cups water with the clove of garlic and a large slice of onion until almost tender.  Add...

Pressure-cooking greatly reduces cooking time and is not the treacherous cooking method that some people fear.  You’ll do fine if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure the vents on the cooker aren’t clogged by foam.  The risk of foaming is greatly reduced if you fill the pressure cooker no more than one third full with water and beans, and add a tablespoon of...

Preparation time for cooking beans is actually quite minimal, although the beans themselves can take their time cooking, It’s worthwhile cooking your own if you need a large quantity, say for black bean soup or red beans and rice.  You can also control the amount of salt and seasonings that go in. There are several ways to cook beans:  Conventional soaking and cooking, pressure cooking, slow...

Serves 6 This spicy Indian specialty is a cross between a sauce, a soup and a dip.  Serve it as part of an Indian meal, or use chapatis (Indian bread) or wedges of fresh warm pita bread to scoop it up.  For a main dish, serve the dal on top of cooked grains. 1 1/2 cups raw red lentils 4 1/2 cups water 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 medium onion, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 or 2 small hot green...

A favorite in Japan, these small, red beans can be found in natural food stores.  Because Adzuki beans are considered among the easiest to digest, they’re a good choice for the newcomers.  Adzuki beans cook faster than most beans, and the taste is comparable to red beans but more delicate. Their Oriental origin may inspire cooks to flavor them with Asian seasonings, such as ginger, tamari...

Legumes are hardy and less susceptible to rancidity and pests than grains.  Look for uniform size, rich color and a plump, smooth appearance.  Make sure to buy beans from a source that has a good turnover rate.  After cooking, beans will last up to a week in the refrigerator, or they can be frozen for up to six months. Stored in well-sealed jars, in a dry place, dried beans can last up to a year. ...

If time was the issue, I’d rather reach for canned beans than forgo the pleasure of cooking with them.  The essential difference between them and those you cook yourself is the sodium content, which can be pretty darn high.  Drain and rinse the canned beans well before using them, and go easy on adding extra salt to dishes you prepare with them.  If you want a high-quality alternative, try...