homeschoolshe

One question: if you're drying frozen foods, do you thaw them first and have to blanch them?

 

No to both! If they are frozen, then they have already been blanched. Just open the bag and dump them in the tray. I put wedding tulle in the tray for the peas and corn to keep them from falling through.

 

I'm having a great time with this. Enjoyed taste testing my corn too! I ate a whole hand full! Much tastier than the peas.

 

I'm going to do some green beans and shredded potatoes Monday. I'm taking a dish to a reunion tomorrow, but I won't use the whole bag of shredded potatoes. Once they are opened they don't last long in the freezer and I usually forget they are there until I find them freezer burned.

 

I can't wait to do onions! So many of my storage onions end up going to waste. And more when you consider that often times we don't need a whole big onion....

Yeah, I guess I just wanted to know what each veggie is supposed to look, sound, feel like when it's done!

 

The pinterest link got me here:

 

http://rovinroberts.blogspot.com/2011/06/dehydration-1-2-3.html

She's got some great pictures of dehydrated foods. Wish she had more!

 

Thanks for all the help, everyone! I've dehydrated before, but only for immediate use. Like jerky and banana chips!

 

Wonder if I can dehydrate muskmelon????

Don't you just love first eggs! It's time to start the flock over for us too. No tragedies, just old hens!

Corn has been in over 8 hours now. Some of the pieces shatter. Other's are more rubbery and it I try to break them they tear between my fingers. I'm guessing that means they are not done yet. Anyone know of a chart with info about how to tell when the foods are done.

Another question. Everything I read has a different storage time for dried veggies. So in a green/blue canning jar with a canning lid (one piece screw on style with rubber inside. Never used them for canning, because I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to tell if they were sealed.) They will be on a shelf in my basement storage room. Dark in their except when we are getting/putting away. Planning to get oxygen absorbers to add to the jar.

 

One site said a few months, my dehydrater's booklet said they needed to be frozen... ..so what's the point? Dehydrate2store says 8-10 years

Will keep praying.

 

 

Yup they're done! Tapped one with a canning jar and it shattered! It's pretty amazing to see 3 # of frozen peas fill a pint jar and a half! Tomorrow I'm doing corn!

Wow! And there's the rest of the story.

My dehydrater book says 10-14 hours for peas. The Dehydrate to Store website says 8-10 hours. They have been in over 8 hours and I can't squish them anymore. Some crumble when I squeeze them and some are like little rocks! Should I keep going for a couple more hours just to be safe? (What? No twiddling my thumbs smiley?)

 

 

 

Of course - it isn't as exciting to say "mayor's typist on minimum wage". Always has to be police, teachers or firefighters. As if they somehow are more righteous than their neighbors.

 

 

That wasn't quite my point. (and you probably were not referring to my comment ) Do I feel bad for the typist; sure, but I doubt he is at as much risk for bodily harm as the fire and police. So yeah I think they should be paid more weighing the risk. I think military should be paid more than they are too. If I were socialist I would probably think everyone should be paid the same, regardless of experience, education, risk, talent, etc.

 

Am I completely surprised. Not in light of where this country is headed. Truly my little world has not been rocked much by the economy or anything else. I've just been sitting back watching most of what is going on, and changing my habits according to what I'm seeing/hearing.

 

Also, from what was reported last night there wasn't even the money to pay them even minimum wage, but now they've managed to borrow some. Yup that's gonna help. How so? It still floors me that anyone sees any wisdom in borrowing money when there is no promise of being able to pay it back.

Got 3 pounds of peas in this morning! I'm so excited! Yes, I'm easily entertained! Who needs tv?

 

 

I'll probably keep my eyes open for an American Harvester. I'll be checking that section every time I go to the GW Boutique! (Goodwill)

Perfect! I'll use the cheaper one!

 

Definately going to start with some frozen peas! That story had me ROLLING!

Thanks for posting this! So I have a question.... Does anyone have another brand than the Excaliber? Is it worth the price? That is a lot of money! Not in the budget right now. Am I going to be seriously disappointed in using my m-i-l's cheapy with the fan on the bottom? I'm sure if I really like it, I will want to budget for a nice brand, but for right now, it's free for me to use.

Hugs, Amber. So sorry your missing her. It's pretty awesome to have had someone in your life that left such an impact! Those kind of people leave footprints on our hearts!

Ah, wedding stress on top or it. Get well soon!

How bout these: Cause I really do want to know more about these.

 

 

How do I know that my food is dehydrated enough that I can store it without worrying about mold?

 

How do I store my dehydrated food? Am I going to have issues with bugs?

 

How long can I store it?

 

Is there anything I can't dehydrate? Or would just be unpleasent dehydrated?

 

I guess some dehydraters would be better than others. Which ones? Any I should avoid?

 

Can I add extra racks to my dehydrater.....say my M-I-L has one and so does my sis-in-law.... Should I run them both separate, or can I add sis's racks to mom's dehydrater?????

 

So I'd really like to know! I suppose I could do a search.....

 

 

 

 

How many spankings? LOL Just kidding! Happy Birthday! I hope it is spectacular!

 

 

oops....didn't know you were a guy! Never would have threatened spankings. My sincerest apologies!

How many spankings? LOL Just kidding! Happy Birthday! I hope it is spectacular!

Officials said that several of the train cars contained styrene which, if ignited, can give off a gas that affects the nervous system if inhaled. It would become a "nerve agent."

 

As of 7:30 a.m., two train cars remain on fire, and officials said they were going to allow the alcohol to burn for the next six to eight hours. However, fire officials later toldNBC4 thathey would extinguish the fire before Noon.

 

 

So they contain a gas that can become a nerve agent........and their first thought is to let something nearby to burn for 6-8 hours. Well at least they went for a 2nd thought.

 

good reminder to be ready for an evac. Hope everyone here is out of harms way.

Now funny story about trying to dilute vinegar.

 

My hubby decided to try it for sinus pressure one day, but asked me to put it in water. I put about an inch of water in the bottom of his glass, explaining that diluting doesn't work. He just wouldn't believe me. And insisted that I fill the glass all the way! I did so and he just couldn't take more than a swig. He wouldn't even try after that.

 

So our 3yo (at the time) son asked if he could drink some . Daddy said, "Sure". DS picked it up and took a little drink, wrinkled up his whole face and says, "that bad lemonade!"

Apple cider vinegar!!!! One medicine cup full (Shot glass) 3 tsp. Dosage really doesn't matter. Tip it back and follow with a glass of water. Don't try to dilute it, it can't be done! Nasty stuff, but it works! Try it 3 times today. Should feel 90% better by tonight.

 

 

Disclaimer: of course this is not medical advice. Do so at your own risk...blah, blah, blah.

The fire cheif said that the teenager at the local pizza joint would be making more than his fire rescue workers.

 

Yup, no unemployment unless they are laid off. Think they are all gonna stay? I doubt it. Of course, try finding a job when your "over qualified". Something smells of pooey

 

Definately gonna tell our friends in the fire and police that we sure appreciate them. I hope the citizens of those communities will stand up and say something. I feel real bad for everyone affected there, but most especially for these folks as they really do risk their lives.

No suggestions, but when I saw the title I was hoping it would be online! I've been thinking about trying dehydrating again. Tried it about 10 years ago thinking it would save money, but didn't think it was worth it, but now that I'm looking at having a good supply of shelf stable foods I'm thinking I should give it a go again.

Allergy to dust mites can trigger an attack. Unfortunately allergies get stronger with exposure, which may be why you never had an attack from cleaning before. Might need to wear a mask, and definately ask for an emergency inhaler. Glad you had your dd nearby to grab hers.

http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/10/12659748-scranton-pa-slashes-workers-pay-to-minimum-wage?lite

 

 

Looks like the Unions are stepping in. Don't know what I think about Unions but maybe this is more what they were meant for than......?

 

If this needs moved to the Edge or something, go ahead.