The Wendy DeWitt Food Storage Seminar

A few years ago, while perusing the internet, I stumbled onto this video, which I watched in it's entirely, and have watched several times since then. I've also shared it as much as possible, since I believe it's one of the most clear and concise seminars on Food Storage I've ever heard.

As you create a plan for your family, you're going to have to tweak things based on your budget, family size, storage arrangements, what you're comfortable storing, etc. There are many things in this seminar that might not be for you. But I believe it's a great beginning to get you thinking about possibilities and how you can start today to get your family prepared.

 

After watching this video, I began working on a specific "plan" for our family. We have always tried to set some extras aside, and have done a pretty good job of it. But as far as having a specific plan, or any rhyme or reason for what we were storing, well...that was an area that could use some improvement. We began to think more specifically about what we wanted to do. This is when things really got fun, and when we were really able to incorporate preparedness as a way of life. Family home storage, food storage, production and preservation isn't something we do. It's how we live. This makes life a lot more simple, organized and less financially stressful. It does take planning, organization and the desire to do it...as well as a healthy dose of adventure - being willing to be a bit flexible with learning new skills, and in some cases changing a lot about your family's shopping, cooking & eating habits.

 

By formulating an outline for your family, you'll have specific, measurable goals...and suddenly the whole thing doesn't seem so overwhelming. In any area of life, careful planning allows you to use your time, effort and resources more efficiently, thus getting more out of anything you're doing. Getting more "bang" for your buck! Family home storage is no different. Watch this video and then sit down for a few minutes and create an outline of the various areas of preparedness that she talks about. By planning your work, and then working your plan, you will be able to attain steady, measurable progress towards the preparedness and peace of mind that you so obviously want for your family. You know you want to...otherwise you wouldn't be taking precious moments out of your crazy day to read blogs like this...so go do it!

The booklets discussed in this class are offered free of charge in both English and Spanish. Email Wendy DeWitt at wdewitt22@gmail.com and put "booklet" in your subject line. She will email you a pdf copy. Her blog is also available with other information at everythingunderthesunblog.blogspot.com.

Wonder Box Cooker Recipes

Here are a few basic recipe ideas that were listed with the Wonder Box Cooker.  So far the only thing I have personally done in my Wonder Box Cooker is Chili, but it was delicious, and hours after first placing it in there, it was still scalding hot, and had to cool down quite a bit before we could eat it. These little things really do work!

 

Try soups, stews, what ever you can bring to a boil and then give it a try. The worst that would happen is the first time, you may have to bring things back to a boil and put it back into your Wonder Box Cooker for a second cooking time.

 

NOTE: Never replace a pot of half eaten or luke-warm food in the Wonder Box Cooker. It should be boiled up again to prevent it going bad.

 

Oatmeal

2 cups quick oats

4 cups boiling water

salt, cinnamon, sugar to taste

Stir oats into boiling water, put lid on and place quickly between cushions of the W’box for 15 minutes or more. Stir before serving.

 

Rice

2 cups rice       

Put into 3 ½ - 4 cups of salted boiling water. NB. Because the water does not evaporate you may need less water than usual.

Place quickly into W’box, and leave for 40 minutes or longer until ready to eat.

 

Vegetables

Potatoes or root vegetables may be cooked in their skins. Bring them to a boil in a pot full of water and place quickly between cushions of the W’box for about twice as long as you would normally cook them. They may be left all day without overcooking and can be more easily peeled after cooking.

Try waterless cooking by using the crisp kind of bags used for cooking roasts, etc. Submerge the bag into the water and bring to a boil. The bag should be left with opening protruding out from under the lid. Place quickly into Wonder Box Cooker. 

 

Chicken and other joints of Meat

Place chicken into an Oven cooking bag with desired spices, and close bag

Bring pot of water with chicken in it, to a good boil.

Quickly place into the W’box and place top cushion on.

Leave alone for at least 3-4 hours.

The chicken was put in at 9:30 in the morning before church. This single dad prepared the chicken by placing it into an oven-cooking bag. He added spices to the chicken closed the bag completely (no added moisture was added to the bag) then brought the pot of water with the chicken in, to a boil and put it all in to the Wonder Box Cooker. We ate with him at 4:00pm. It was impressive.

 

Yogurt by the Gallon

4 cups dry skim milk powder

4 quarts warm water

Mix well, heat to scald, cool to luke warm

Add 1 cup of starter (plain commercial yogurt) or product saved from this finished recipe may be used to start a new batch. Refresh monthly with commercial starter.
Mix well, put into a gallon glass jar with a lid and place into the Wonder Box Cooker.
Leave undisturbed for 12-14 hours. It will thicken more after refrigeration.
May be used plain or add your favorite fruits to flavor.
For those that can afford the calories, if the yogurt doesn’t set to your liking, add instant Vanilla pudding, (substituting yogurt for milk.) Can be reduced for smaller batches

Happy Homemaking!