Sun Oven Fun

Yesterday we received a shipment of Sun Ovens in. I was most excited because I ordered my own this time! I have used solar ovens before and have been disappointed to say the least. I was let down by terrible cooking times, and poor cooking performance. I know and understand the importance of having access to and knowing how to use a solar oven. Especially in Arizona where it is sunny practically 365 days a year. Even though I had several frustrations I continued my search and found the Global Sun Ovens.

These are by far the best solar ovens on the market. The quality is superior. The ease of use amazing, and the performance renewed my faith in cooking with the power of the sun.

I was way to excited to let a day pass with out using my new oven. I would have used it yesterday, but it was overcast and rainy, and since you need the sun to cook in a solar oven I was forced to hold my excitement for today.

I made butterscotch oatmeal cookies. (My favorite by the way). I used the recipe that comes off the back of the butterscotch morsels I believe they call them Oatmeal Scotchies. I did make a pan cookie to take full advantage of pan's capacity. I set the oven up to preheat and it was ready in about 20 minutes. Cook time for the pan cookie is 18-20 min. It took mine about 25-30 minutes. Not bad!

I will recommend following the instructions that come with the Sun Oven on focusing your oven towards the sun. Their instructions are simple and easy to follow. Adjust side to side and check for shadows inside on the front and back of the interior of the oven. If there are any, the extend-able pole in the back makes this simple it adjust.
It may sound like a lot, but it took my maybe five minutes to set it up in proper cooking position.

Great experience and would love for you all to have a similar one. We do have some ovens on hand, so if you or someone you know is interested let me know. My email address is  rebecca@modernfrontierlife.com

 

I will be doing a side by side comparison between the two most popular ovens out there soon, so check back to see the results.

Buckets

What is a kitchen with out a pantry. Further more what is a pantry without buckets!

I am so glad I had a life changing realazation a few years back. I have been cooking with bulk food out of my buckets now for quite some time. I will admit some meals are better than others, but I am so grateful that my family has had the same vision to try all the new recipes.

Now I feel that I could not survive without my buckets.  I have also noticed a large savings in being able to cook this way.

So a big question I get from people is what do you put in buckets!?!? The answer: bulk dry items (10% moisture or less) that you use in large enough quantities that you will go through the whole contents before the shelf life of the item. I personally have wheat, white flour, sugar, rice, white beans, pinto beans, and black beans in mine. What you put in your buckets could vary greatly.  Take a look at what your family eats. If you notice your family eats a lot of rice, you might want to have a 6.5 gallon bucket of rice with a gamma seal lid on it in your pantry. However, if you notice you are always using beans a 6.5 bucket of beans might be a better fit. (check back for more on beans in a coming post)


I make bread about once a week, my recipe is 100% whole wheat, so I go through a good amount of wheat. I put my wheat in a 6.5 gallon bucket. Now we use beans fairly frequently, but don't go through nearly the quantity as we do wheat so we put our beans in 3.5 gallon buckets.

If you are using buckets in a pantry situation I recommend using Gamma seal lids. They are easy to open, and create an air tight seal every time.

Buckets can also be used for long term storage of bulk items if sealed properly. For example if you find a great deal on beans, you can take advantage of the sale. Buy more than you know you can use quickly, and properly seal the excess in buckets. Once your pantry bucket becomes empty, you can refill it with the extra beans you bought on sale.

Technically you could just place your bulk food in buckets and pound on a lid. However this is not recommended at all!! The shelf life of your food would be lacking, and bugs would eat it. In order to remedy this all oxygen must be purged before sealing

There are several methods to sealing buckets. We prefer the dry ice method. We will be holding a demonstration of this method early in March. If you are interested in attending, email adam@modernfrontierlife.com. Also check back for a post here around that same time frame.

We currently are running a great special on buckets, and lids. If you have not received the flier and order form contact us and we will send it to you directly.

Gamma Seal Lids

There are several items out there that I just can't imagine what people did before they existed. Gamma Seal Lids is one of them. They are just awesome! I have 7 in my pantry and love them all. It makes it so much more convenient to use my bulk food items. The lid screws on/off and gives an airtight seal every time.  My only regret is that I didn't buy separate colored lids. I have a thing with keeping things neat and clean looking, so labeling is not an option for me. On occasion I have gone into the pantry to get rice and opened up the lid for sugar instead. It sure would be more simple to know that my rice is in a bucket with a red lid, and my sugar had a blue lid. I am however considering replacing them especially since we are running a special price on them this month. $7.00 Each. Also available are food grade white buckets (various sizes) regular lids and bucket openers. We have sent out a flyer along with an order form. If you have not received it and would like to let me know.

Home Made Instant Oatmeal Packets

Our Daughter loves and I mean LOVES oatmeal. The good news is she prefers home made versus store bought. The down is every morning I get out a pot and make 1 cup of oatmeal. I dislike having to wash a pot for such a small amount of food. I came across this recipe a while ago and decided to try it out today. I am very excited. It was simple took hardly any time, and is far less expensive than what you pay in the store for the same convenience.


"To make individual instant packets:

In blender, blend 1/2 cups of oats until powdery.

Into each of the packets (perhaps a zip-lock style sandwich bag) combine the following ingredients:

1/4 Cup unpowdered oats
2 Tbsp powdered oats
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar (optional)

Close the top securely and store in a cool,dry place.

Microwave Directions for cooking:
Empty packet into microwavable bowl. Add 2/3 Cup water or milk. Microwave at HIGH about 1 1/2 minutes. Stir."

I opted to use a smaller food processor instead of my blender. I also left out both the sugar and salt. I don't need the extra sodium, and we add a little brown sugar to sweeten the oatmeal just a bit after it is cooked.

 

  

 One of my top priorities is my families health, but life is busy. Any time I can combine healthy eating and convenience I do it. Try it and let us know what you think. Enjoy!