Can we Make it?

 Yes we can!!!!!  This is about our pantries and our freezers.  I know there are many things in this world, that the average person can't or isn't capable of making.  Most of us don't have farms with meat animals, or chickens, or dairy cows.  Many can't even garden much, except a few things in some pots.  We can't grow the supplies needed for sugar, flour, leavening agents, rice, etc.

BUT that doesn't mean we can't make a lot of what we use around our home.  The cost is lighter, and the items are just so much better for us and the environment.

First and foremost, meals and drinks come to mind.  Meals cooked at home are so much cheaper, healthier, and more varied than anything purchased at a restaurant.  Don't even get me started on cleaner and more sanitary!!!!!!!  Making your own coffee and tea or other drinks at home - is easy and cheaper - so much cheaper.

I read an article the other day stating that a meal at a restaurant is about 5X as expensive as one cooked at home!!!!!!! WOW!

A meal can be simple or complicated.  You can easily throw veggies and some meat (or not) in a pan and sauté - add a biscuit or bread and boom you have a one pot meal.  You can sauté green beans, corn, onion, peppers, potato, carrots, peas, Brussel sprouts, just about any veggie you can think of together.  It makes for a healthy and tasty bite!

Next comes to mind is cleaning supplies.  I rarely buy anything stated that it is for cleaning, except laundry detergent and Dawn.  I use many regular household items, that can be used in many ways to clean.  Things get clean and it doesn't add a lot of chemicals to my household.

I most often use washable rags - seldom paper.  

Adding scent to the house is kind of the same way.  I do like scented candles and I am careful about what I use.  I also (especially fall/winter) just set a pot of water on the stove with some apple, oranges, cinnamon, etc. and simmer.  The smell is incredible.  Fresh air is also FREE and a lovely way to 'air' the house.

Using scraps for things is fun.  Those apple peels or citrus rinds can be used in the 'scent' pots, or they can be added to other things to make new products.  You can make apple cider vinegar with peels and cores, a little sugar and water.  Citrus peels and vinegar is a great cleaner.  Apple cores and peels can make pectin.  You can use remnants of peaches, etc. for jelly making.  One can also compost.

I love growing herbs and mints to dry for seasonings or for teas.  Super easy to do.

Making waffles, pancakes, eggs and oats is a great replacement for expensive cereal.  We all know kids can go through a box of cereal in no time.   These items can be made ahead and frozen for easy morning breakfasts.  Think breakfast sandwiches and burritos too!

I know many of you make your own bread.  I need to get back to that.  I do love homemade biscuits.  Also tortillas are wonderful when made fresh.  Crackers are pretty easy to do.

THEN there is the garden or fresh produce.  Home canned, frozen or dehydrated is so much better tasting that stuff in cans!  

You can do relishes, salsas, sauces, mustards, any type of veggie or fruit.  Make your own broth or stock.  Jams, jellies, and syrups.

Oh, the list goes on and on.  There truly isn't a lot that can't be made at home.  

With the price of everything going up - it pays to educate ourselves on what we have to make these products ourselves.

I remember the old saying - that if grandma had never heard of an ingredient and probably couldn't pronounce it - then we shouldn't be using it or eating it!!!!!  TRUE

Just take a moment and read the labels of the things you eat and use every day.  From ice cream to mixes, to cleaners.  So many words that we can't pronounce - and those words generally mean chemicals!!!!!!

Use fresh and do for yourself.  We never know when times will get super tough, and these ideas will seem so brilliant then!!!!!

Keep yourself surrounded by good old-fashioned cookbooks and how to books (the kind you can put in your hands).  The internet could go down and computers could be useless and then what?  You still need good old-fashioned books!

Be smart.  Safe some dollars.  Stay healthy.

Do yourself a favor and MAKE IT YOURSELF!

What ideas do you have to share?