AMarthaByHeart

Mother--after having a stomach virus, I have been eating yogurt. Is there anything else that I can do naturally to restore the proper bacteria? I am trying to do things more naturally without popping a bunch of pills and letting nature run its course. Being a diabetic, I did have to be careful. I ate applesauce and toast and checked my blood sugar. I guess I am trying to get back to the old fashioned ways.

Quilty--please reconsider. This has been very educational. With the world seemingly to be in crisis, this has become a highlight of my day. I know with a very busy time of the year coming, you will be very busy. But if you can find it in your heart to continue, please do. I do know what you meant when Mother and her family left the valley. It was like a very dear friend was leaving. Even thought I don't know you guys, I have come to care deeply about you all and wish you the best.

Mother, I will miss you on this epic. Maybe you can still gives some suggestions periodically. (You will let let know if you make it safely to you family, won't you?)

Darlene--I think you have your hands full with those two.

Thanks Mother.

Even though you don't know me, you each (in the Wagon Ho group as well as the Mrs. S family) have become like family to me. I so appreciate what you each are doing. It has been exciting, and I sometimes forget that this is an unreal story. You each have made it seem so real. I can not imagine the amount of time, research and studying you have to do to continue with this. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I know with spring being here today (yea!!!!!!!!!!!) everyone is busying getting ready for gardens, preparations, etc. So many people are having health, financial, family, job, and life problems in general that prayers are needed daily. Things are rapidly changing and we all need hugs and prayers especially as we go through the days ahead of us. It seems to be later than we think. I will continue to pray for each of you. May God bless, keep and guide all of you.

The awful things is,,,,,even the WRITERS don't know what the end is.

 

Won't be long now though.

 

I wish it could go on indefinitely but do realize the amount of time, work and thought that has been put into it. Could we at least make it until all of the wagon trains arrive and everyone gets settled? Maybe, by then it will have become a habit and ya'll can't stop.

I don't know about ya'll. I am so excited that they are almost there. I feel like family is "a comin'". I keep checking to see if there is anymore info. It is almost like Christmas. The anticipation of their arrival and reunion is growing. Hurry guys, PLEAZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, hurry up!!!!!!!!!! (I am one that alway reads the end of the book so I know what happens.)

Mother---I have a question concerning diabetes. I think I read where you said you were diabetic. If IRL a person is in a say 'Wagon Ho" type situation, working as hard as you have been-along with the stress--how would you keep you blood sugar stable? If a person run out of strips to check their blood or insulin, what would you do? I am type 2 but take short acting (as needed) and long acting insulin along with 2 medications. Eventually, a person would run out. How would you handle it? I have noticed that herbs are used for MS, Fibromyalgia, arthitis, etc. on your journey. Are there some a person could use for diabetes especially if you can't get to a doctor.

Mother--thank you for the info on making cheese. I would have to use store bought milk. Would I buy whole milk, 2%, 1%, or etc.? I have never eaten homemade cheese and am very interested in making it. May I ask you what it taste like? I have eaten homemade butter. My grandma use to make it. Sometimes it was really "strong". I wish I had paid more attention to what she was doing. I could have learned so much.

My one regret is that I did not start a spiral notebook on the Wagon Ho adventure at the beginning. There has been so much information on here that will be very helpful. I am going to start back at the beginning. rereading it, writing down all of the wonderful ideas and tips that have been given. I love the new twists. I helps me to see in real life how we can really make it if the shtf. This has made me more hopeful, even though I know that it would be extremely hard to survive if things get really bad. This is when the Lord would HAVE TO be our source of strength. This has shown in the story as to how you all are depending on the Lord for protection, peace, and needs. Thank you all so much for going to the trouble, time, and effort to write this in order to help all of us. May God bless each and everyone of you.

Eggs should never be dehydrated because of the danger of salmonella poisoning. Stick with commercial egg powders if you need it.

 

Dehydrated products can be stored in ziplock bags or other containers to keep them away from moisture.

 

There are new warnings out about dehydrating meats, especially ground beef, which has been discussed at length that somebody can perhaps post a link to.

 

I love just about all "leathers" and they don't have to limited to fruits. Experiment. And yes many items can be ground down to powders and placed in the spice cabinet. My favorites are onion, celery, and tomatoes.

 

Mary Bell's Complete Dehydrator Cookbook is the best book in my opinion.

Thank you Canned Nerd. I had rather be safe than sorry. Happy Canning!!!!!!!!!!!

Help---I have been bitten by the dehydrating bug. I got my new mesh sheets for Christmas and have been dehydrating ever since. It is so much fun. Years ago when I had my first dehydrator, all I did was beef and deer jerky and apple slices. I don't know why I didn't do anything else. The vegetables look so pretty. I have a load of fruit in now. I am using frozen products. I have two books about dehydrating but they disagree on some things, so I have come to the experts. I would appreciate any help I can get. I did watch them videos on the Dehydrating Store.

1. Can you dehydrate scramble eggs? One says yes--put them on the leather tray raw with seasonings. The other one said to cook them then dehydrate them. Help!

2. How do I store anything that I do? (in Zip Lock bags or canning jars?

3. Where do I store them?

4. What about meat? They have two different ways. (Ex. hamburger meat, roasts, chicken)

5. Are the fruit leathers worth the effort? They sound lilke something that would be good for grandchildren. Juices, tomato puree. etc.

6. Are these foods good rehydrated? They sure will save a lot of space. I had gotten the frozen vegetables and fruits when they were on sale.

7. Has anyone made vegetable powders to add to soups?

They books I have are Mary Bell's Complete Deyhdrator Cookbook and Trail Food--Drying and Cooking Food For Backbackers and Paddlers by Alan Kesselheim

I know there will be more questions forthcoming. Thanks in advance.

YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just 2 hours and 25 minutes to the 1st and Wagon Ho will be on its way again.

I have missed you guys. I was always checking several times each day. The excitement is mounting.

KATHYE

Everyone have a blessed, safe, and happy Thanksgiving. Return rested and am looking forward to the next part of the journey to your new "homes."

Thank you-thank you-thank you-- gotta go. I off to make me some sourdough biscuits. ummmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!

Now, I can ask questions to what I don't understand or know about. I guess this shows my ignorance, but I had never thought about this.

What is

1.TEOTWAWKI 2.Dakota Hole Fire? 3. Cooking red beans when camping (time, water etc. I cook mine all day) like that? 4. A good dutch oven cookbook? 4. cooking pasta when camping? 5. In doing sour dough biscuits, do you still have to let them rise for several hours? 6. Most important---what is a fireless cooker?

Keep up the good work. I am worn out from just reading to everything ya'll have to do. I am mosts definitely going to print this off so when shtf I can gleam knowledge from it.

Thanks for the place to comment. I have thoroughly enjoyed Wagon Ho. If I hadn't known it was an unreal adventure, I would have thought that you all had really formed a real wagon train and were actually on the trail. Keep up the good work. This has had everything from drama to humor, and it has turned into an quite an education.

I sold my dehydrator when we moved. Now I want another one. I looked at Academy. They had two. One was $34.95 and the other was $139.35. Both had several shelves. All I used to use it for was to make Jerky. Now I want to do a little of everything. What do you suggest? It has been about 5 years since I did anything. Thank you.