I just found this new resource, “You Grow Girl” which is a very informative website on gardening and the things you can do with what you grow.  I stumbled upon her post about how to make your own seed starting mix.  Judging by how many big bags I have to buy each season, this may turn out to be a better option!  I think I’m set this season, but the next time I’m at the right store I’ll try to find and price these materials, and report back

See it here: http://www.yougrowgirl.com/thedirt/2008/02/14/mix-up-your-own-seed-starting-mix/#more-1213

A site I use some recipes from is a really great resource for gift-giving, seasonings, pre-measured stuff, breads and more.  So, let me introduce you to www.giftsfromyourkitchen.com

Found from www.giftsfromyourkitchen.com

Beef Stew Seasoning Mix recipe

2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons oregano
2 tablespoons basil
4 1/4 tablespoons salt
4 1/4 tablespoons black pepper
4 1/4 tablespoons garlic powder
4 1/4 tablespoons paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons celery seed
4 1/4 tablespoons onion powder
2 teaspoons rosemary

Mix all ingredients well in a bowl. Pour into a jar with a tight-fitting lid.

To use: Add 2 to 3 tablespoons per 2 pounds of meat

Cake mixes, seasoning packets, muffin mix, this mix and that mix.

The money you spend on these mix packages and packets are simply this: convienience.  Mixes are simply pre-measured ingredients.  Can you measure what are typically every day ingredients, herbs and spices?  Cut your costs and make your own mixes.  They store well in the fridge or pantry, or use a FoodSaver to help them keep even longer! Once you know you have a mix you like the taste of, make up a huge batch so you don’t run out any time soon.  I love saving glass jars from storebought items we buy or others have bought and saved the jars for us, and these jars get washed and ready for use storing food just like mixes, or homemade yogurt, flour and more! 

What are your favorite mix recipes?  Do you have a healthy buttermilk baking mix?  How about stew seasoning?  Cake mix?  Muffin mix? 

I’ll post some of mine tonight or tomorrow.

I started some of my seeds last week.  As I planned out which would go in what tray, I didn’t take into consideration how long some seeds can take to sprout!  So, I bought the trays that include the clear cover to keep over the top until the plants are too tall to keep it on.  I have some plants that are several inches long already, and some that haven’t even sprouted at all  because they’ll sprout in 14-21 days.   if I keep the cover off, they’ll get too cold and won’t sprout well (if at all).  Press and seal came to the rescue, as I can seal in their specific little pods on my tray until they’re ready.

Next year i”ll have to remember to take into consideration sprouting times and keep the slow starters together so I don’t have this issue again

Instead of chilling a warm meal in your fridge, or using your freezer to actually FREEZE something, use your porch when the temps are right.  You can give your fridge and freezer a break by adding already chilled or frozen items to it.  When we had the nice cold weather I cooked up a bunch of meals for my freezer.  I made 1.5 gallons of chicken stock today which is currently chilling on my back porch (I’ll end up canning/freezing it tomorrow depending on how I divide it up).  Tomorrow I’ll be making about the same in turkey and rabbit stock.