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!

Home Made Tortillas

I have been making my own tortillas for about 2 years now. I am not sure how "authentic" they are. However, they are delicious and far better than any store bought tortillas I have ever come across.

My recipe (shown below) has directions for both mixing by hand and mixing in a food processor. Being a working mom, I have always used the food processor. I have been very happy with this process and have never attempted to venture further than that. Last night however I took the plunge. I made them entirely by hand. The only electronic assistance was from my stove top. It was surprisingly quick and extremely satisfying.

I have seen many recipes, most have lard or shortening. I don't use lard nor shortening for anything and don't plan to store it just for one recipe so, I like this recipe. My sister in law gave me the recipe, but I am pretty sure she didn't author it. I would love to give credit where it is due, I am just not sure who it is due to, regardless here it is.

Whole Wheat Flour Tortillas

1 Cup unbleached or all-purpose flour
1 Cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 Cup canola or vegetable oil (I use extra virgin olive oil)
2/3 Cup warm water

"For hand mixing:
Rub flour, salt, and oil together with your fingers until completely incorporated and fine crumbs form.

Pour water into dry ingredients and immediately work it in with a fork. Dough will be in large clumps. Sprinkle with flour and knead until smooth.

Allow dough to rest in a bowl covered, for at least 30 minutes before baking.

Roll out or press tortillas as flat as you would like, brown in frying pan on medium-high heat foe about 15-20 seconds per side. Place hot tortilla on a towel and cover with another towel. (I don't do this) After each tortilla is placed in the towel, lightly spray with a water bottle to keep tortillas moist. (Or this) Makes 8-10 medium sized tortillas. (I get closer to 8 fit in my pan to cook size)"

Okay so I haven't mastered the perfect round tortilla, but you should have seen my first few batches. Keep in mind this is a learned skill, it will take some practice.

For those, like me, that still want to use a food processor same ingredients as above and...

"Food Mixer:
Place flour and salt in bow of food processor. Add oil and process for about 3 seconds. With machine running, pour water through feed tube in a steady stream. Let machine run until dough forms a ball 4- 6 minutes. Allow dough to rest and prepare and cook same as above"

I usually double the recipe and put the extras in a zip-lock style bag and store them in the fridge for about a week (if they make it that long).

Soil Prep Class

So I am sure you are all wondering how the Soil Pep Presentation went at the Home and Garden Show. Well it went great. I am so glad to be associated with the Master Gardener program. Ever since I became certified, I have had quite a few opportunities to volunteer my knowledge and desire to help people learn about gardening. It was fun to talk about soil prep, which is a very essential part to a successful garden. A few key take aways from the show to keep in mind when preparing your own soil.

• Don't be afraid to work the Arizona soil it has an excellent base and 19 of the 20 micro nutrients a flourishing garden needs.

• Living organisms (bugs, algae, bacteria) are not all bad. Take the time to learn who is who!

• Compost Compost Compost if you add nothing else to your garden make it be compost! Compost can help overcome several of the challenges our native soil can have. More on composting to come.
  

• Find your motivation! Whatever your motivation is to garden find it and keep it real! Gardening is a learning experience. As in life you are bound to goof every once in a while. Stay positive and remember that every time you don't succeed, you are learning more and gaining more knowledge.

• Have fun! don't sweat the little stuff, but if you are remember there are tons of resources out there!

There are several things you can still be planting now. I am going to be planting more carrots in the next few days here. If you like peas go for it. Beets, Radishes, Green Onions, and Spinach just to name a few. Enjoy and Happy Gardening!

This is why I garden

This is one of those experiences as a mother that I am glad I have prepared for.

Earlier today my daughter came up to me and asked if she could have a carrot. I asked her where should we get the carrot from and her response was from the garden. How thrilled I was to have her know where carrots should come from.

I was so excited to have her pick her own carrot. She hasn't quite learned how to distinguish a more ripe carrot so hers was on the smaller side. She did however pick it all by herself. I helped her wash it and she thoroughly enjoyed eating it. After she was done we took the stem out to the compost bin and she put it in all by herself. She took full opportunity in having the lid off the compost to check out all the other waste that was in it.

This is why I garden. The feeling of being able to have vegetables available for my family to eat healthy is what helps give me the motivation that I need to overcome the discouragements that can sometimes come along with home gardening.

Happy Gardening Everyone!!