Storing Cigarettes: Test Review

Welcome and thank you for joining Perky Prepping Gramma. 
Today we are talking about storage cigarettes. 
Whether it is for personal use or barter; the topic of storing cigarettes (tobacco products, etc) comes up frequently in discussions about bartering. But, I haven't seen anyone yet, that actually tried to store cigarettes.
Doing what I do, I decided to test out storing cigarettes a little over a year ago (December 2013).

One pack was simply vacuum sealed, the other (2 plus packs) was vacuum sealed in a canning jar. 

The results were as follows: 

Actually the vacuum sealing was an epic fail. LOL. Could pretty much tell that from the start. Crushed the cigs & thinking it through it would be a huge waste of money, particularly with the cost of the Food Savers bags. Though the cigarette was still fairly fresh.

The cigarettes that were vacuum sealed in the canning jar fared much better. But still the added cost of using jars really doesn't make it worth it. The cigarette itself was as fresh as it was when it went in.

All in all, if I was going to choose to store cigarettes for barter (not convinced of that at all), I think I would just stored the cartons as is. If there is a shortage, I would say most people who would be that desperate for a cigarette, wouldn't care about the freshness.

Now, storing tobacco seeds is a different idea all together. I do know there are people who are storing & or growing tobacco already. If you wanted to think of storing tobacco as a cash crop or for bartering I think storin seeds would be more practical.

Personally, I have purchased tobacco seeds. Honestly, I don't even know if these seeds are for smoking. We will see how that goes later. Growing tobacco isn't high on my list at this time. It is going to be one of those on my list of things to do. It does take practice to grow these types of products. Plus, I want it to be in a completely secure location to protect the animals.

If you have stored tobacco products I would be interested in your observations.

What you see here on my blog and on facebook is original work (and pictures) that I (Perky Prepping Gramma) actually do myself. I simply share my real life journey on preparing. If you liked this article, please feel free to like me (Perky Prepping Gramma) on facebook & keep up to date on things I post. I appreciate the support. Thank you.

Make It Monday: Pasta with Hot Italian Sausages

Recently, I have been making more meals that are made 100% from storage. While I am not great at recipes, I thought I also share with you so you could have of idea of what actual items I store and why. Practicing also helps a lot in determining if you have the items you really need on hand to prepare those meals you are thinking about. More than once I have found I am missing an item I need.

These are the items I used for this weeks meal:

Pasta

Tomato Sauce, I do have jars stored until I am able to produce enough tomatoes to pressure can myself. LOL.

Pressure Canned Hot Italian Sausages

Milk Kefir Solids (technically not from storage, could be made without this)

Cheese which has been waxed and stored
Parmesan Cheese

Catching Up on Vacuum Sealing...

Really vacuum sealing is as simple as 1, 2, 3. I needed to catch up on some sealing this week.

Vacuum sealing  product simply removes the air for the container. I have found this to be the easiest method of storing certain items. 

1) You place a lid (may be a used lid) on your jar.

2) Place the Food Saver attachment (this is the wide attachment) over the lid.

                             

3) Place the tube from the accessory port into the hole in the top of the attachment, then hit the accessory button. With for the Food Saver to stop. Then it is sealed. Really, it is that simply.

                         

 

If you have trouble getting a seal, try adding two lids and sealing. One will seal and the other will not. I also found out this time that my vintage jars didn't seal at all, even with a new lid. Evidently there is a slight difference in the size of the opening. Good thing to learn.

                             

 

You may use "used" lids for vacuum sealing. I recommend you check your seals occasionally, maybe when you check you batteries for your smoke detector.  When I checked mine, I found a few items that I had sealed previously that needed resealing. Often, I trade out for a different canning lid at this point, just in case. Today I sealed noodles, pineapple, blueberries, lattes, chipped beef and mushrooms.

                        
I have an online Amazon Associate/store called Perky Prepping Gramma's Store. This allows me to show you the products I have personally used and endorse, while monetizing my work. What I found early on was people would ask me where I got such & such an item and I would simply share a link. 
Even on regular Amazon (not prime), on specific items, when your order reaches a certain point, I believe it's $35 the shipping to home is free. So, I created a store of these items I use frequently or recommend. It doesn't cost you anything extra, but I do receive a small percentage as an advertising bonus, if you purchase from my store. You are even able to just link in and do any of your regular Amazon shopping.

Do You Dehydrate Food?

From the very beginning I have learned by doing. 
My first adventure in dehydrating was bananas on my Oster Dehydrator.
One banana on each tray. Mr. Perky loved the bananas. 
It didn't take me too long to figure out, for me I needed a much larger dehydrator. Within a month I was saving my money for another dehydrator. I did the research and decided on the Excalibur, 9 tray dehydrator.
The Excalibur Dehydrator is a true work horse. I use it constantly. Besides being able to dry 15 square feet of food at a time, the adjustable temperature is handy.

This week I did a boat load of blueberries and a plethora of pineapple. I find that blueberries work best if you wash them and them freeze them in a single layer before you dehydrate them. The temperature was set at the fruit/fruit roll setting (135-145 degrees). The blueberries took approximately 12 hours. 
Some people will prick a hole in larger berries. I haven't had to do that yet. 
Since mine are from the farm, they all tend to be larger. 

When done the blueberries are crisp and will bounce on the counter top, or floor as my dog knows. This dog, Snooker is ALWAYS in the kitchen when I am working. 

I was doing canned pineapple, since I found some cans with the newer pop tops. I am trying to get rid of those cans since I have heard that those type of cans don't tend to last as long in storage. I just drained the juice from the slices and put them on the trays. Again the temperature was set at the fruit/fruit roll setting (135-145 degrees). The pineapple took almost 20 hours, because they were thicker slices from a can.

The pineapple is leathery in consistency.
While you are able to store fruit in mylar bags, I choose to vacuum seal my fruits in canning jars. Honestly we use/eat the fruit fairly quickly, so I haven't determined the shelf life. 
I purchased the Excalibur in 2012. While I have mostly done fruits and veggies I have also dehydrated some meat, milk, lattes and dog food. For the dog food I even added some leftover (spicy) Chinese food. Mixed up the veggies and leftover rice, dehydrated it and added it to their jug. They love it!

Eventually I am going to replace my smaller dehydrator (I burned the motor out), to use in the garage to dehydrate the very smelly stuff like garlic, onions, etc. The scent of certain items are very overpowering for my nose. 



I also have an online Amazon Associate/store called Perky Prepping Gramma's Store. This allows me to show you the products I have personally used and endorse, while monetizing my work. What I found early on was people would ask me where I got such & such an item and I would simply share a link.  
Perky Prepping Gramma's Store So, I created a store of these items I use frequently or recommend. It doesn't cost you anything extra, but I do receive a small percentage as an advertising bonus, if you purchase from my store. You are even able to just link in and do any of your regular Amazon shopping. Thank you for your consideration.

Perky Baby Teaches

If the internet had existed in the '50's, I probably would have had a blog entitled “Perky Baby Teaches”. No, seriously. I was having a blast chatting with my mom while she was here. She loves to tell the tale of when I was in first grade and she went to the parent teacher conference. The teacher shared about how she had a stain on her clothing and I told her to try putting something on it to take the stain out (I don't remember what I told her). My mom cringed, fearing my advice had ruined the teachers clothing. Well, guess what, it WORKED and my teacher was overjoyed.
Mom came home and asked me where in the world had I learned that information. I responded “I read it somewhere”. Since that time it is a running joke in my family that I “read it somewhere”.
That has been true my whole life. Mom will attest, I have always read and learned tidbits & shared with others.
If you have a cold, drink ginger tea.

If you are cold (brrr), put a hat on your head.

If you have a sore, try putting honey on it.
How do I know this? I read it somewhere! LOL 
I am just very comfortable with sharing information. I enjoy teaching & have on several topics and for many years. 

Someone gave me this photo (and some others) of me sharing about human trafficking at church. As we transition to our new lifestyle, creating & living on our self sustaining farm I am excited about life. Ideally I would love to just be able to share and teach. I am constantly thinking about what I shall do to earn income when we move. We shall see where this journey leads...

DIY How To Make Blueberry Wine: Blueberry Week

 

Seriously, this is the recipe I wrote down to make the blueberry wine. Here is what it says:
1 pk, 2 gal., ferment, water warm, activate

15-20 day, stir, gas, shy (?), cheesecloth, moonshine jug, balloon w/ pin hole
sit 2 wk, clean, sed. settles, syphon tubing ----> 

arrow, bottles

Now do you know how to make blueberry wine? LOL. Now maybe you will understand when I say I don't use recipes.
Let me try to translate.
I pack of dry active yeast will ferment 2 gallons of juice into wine.
I decided to make only 1/2 gallon of wine for my first time. So I adjusted accordingly.
Add very warm water (110-115 degrees) to the yeast to activate.

                 

 

Then mix the yeast and the (blueberry) juice.

                  

 

I decided to start with small batches and test making the wine with honey (on the left and raw organic sugar (on the right). I used 1/4 cup for each batch.

Now it is going to sit on my counter for 15-20 days and will be stirred daily. I opted to use canning jars to store in while fermenting. There are several options to cap off the wine, one was placing a balloon on the top with a pin hole in it to release the gases. I didn't have a balloon so I used rubber gloves. See how they inflated? Just to be silly, I taped the fingers down to create the "I love you" sign. Mr. Perky suggested another sign. He is such a bad boy. But, then one of his nicknames for me is Mary Poppins. 

Just sharing the journey as I learn...

DIY How to Make Blueberry Wine (part 2)
                                               

I participate in the Amazon Associate program, where I receive a small % commission for linking products that I recommend. I only recommend products I personally used and like. Your support is very appreciated, anything you choose to purchase through my link, is helping me to be able to share more things that I do with you. Perky Gramma Teaches Amazon link.

How To Make Blueberry Juice: Blueberry Weekend

What's a gramma to do with all these blueberries? I have dehydrated blueberries, I have pressured canned them with simple syrup...my girlfriend at Gold Hill Blueberry Farm recently made blueberry juice so I decided why not learn a new skill! She has a fancy juicer, which I now have on my wish list to purchase. Piecing together how to make blueberry juice wasn't too hard and the process wasn't difficult, but after making three fairly large batches of juice, it definitely seems worth the money.

I only found one place that gave details on how to make blueberry juice, but I modified half the steps so here goes.
1. Rinse and clean the berries. These needed complete cleaning, removing the unripe berries, leaves and twigs. Plus they were frozen. The berries then went into a pot with enough water to just cover the berries. Bring to a slow boil, mash the berries, then bring back to a boil and remove the pot from the heat. I used a small strainer to catch an occasional twig or unripe berry I missed as it boiled to the top of the pot. Cool the juice down. This was very helpful for the next step.

             

2. Pour the juice and berries into a jelly bag. Collect the juice in another container. Since I was doing multiple batches, I actually used my canner for the juice. I had a lot of juice! When it is cool enough to handle squeeze the bag to get all the juice out of the berries. You might consider wearing gloves, as I did after my first batch. As you know blueberries stain. LOL. What is left in the bag (mushy pulp) put in your compost container.

                   

 

3. These blueberries are sweet (not acidic), so I felt it was important to use caution and I decided to pressure can my jars.I also decided to not add additional sweeteners at this point. I added the juice quart jars. I pressure canned them at 10# of pressure for 10 mins.

                             

While I personally haven't made jelly, I find my jelly strainer bag indispensable. I have used it when separating my milk kefir and today for juicing.. I also have spare bags, which is great. After today my first bag is stained blue. Also, the Presto 23 quart pressure canner is a good deal if you are just starting out canning. If you like learning vintage skills like this blueberry juice, we would lov to have you join our community t Perky Prepping Gramma on Facebook.


I have an online Amazon Associate/store called Perky Prepping Gramma's Store. This allows me to show you the products I have personally used and endorse, while monetizing my work. What I found early on was people would ask me where I got such & such an item and I would simply share a link. 
Even on regular Amazon (not prime), on specific items, when your order reaches a certain point, I believe it's $35 the shipping to home is free. So, i created a store of these items I use frequently or recommend. It doesn't cost you anything extra, but I do receive a small percentage as an advertising bonus, if you purchase from my store. You are even able to just link in and do any of your regular Amazon shopping.

Swatting (true story)

He was driving home from work one evening and when he pulled onto his lazy suburban street he saw at least a dozen local police department and Swat tactical vehicles parked haphazardly surrounding his home. The house lights were blazing and the front door was bashed wide open. Officers were crawling everywhere.

His mind immediately tracked where his three children would be at that moment...

When he pulled up the officers immediately started questioning him. After some time everything was beginning to sort out.

Someone had called in a 911 call stating that that there had been shots fired and someone was laying on the floor bleeding at his home.

It’s called “swatting”—making a hoax call to 9-1-1 to draw a response from law enforcement, usually a SWAT team.

He started making phone calls to insure his children were safely at their mother's house & found everyone there was in turmoil since the neighbors had already contacted them about the craziness that was happening at his home.

It was a harrowing night and the aftermath took months to work through.

The person that perpetrated the hoax, did wind up in psychiatric care & there is now a restraining order in place protecting him and all his extended family.

While this happened a couple of years ago, this man is an average Joe. Nice neighborhood. This incident changed his (our) world. He is my younger brother. What made me think about this again? This week he & his family got caught in the middle of yet another harrowing experience. which I will share next week. We are still processing everything.

We talk about situational awareness, but there is no way we can even begin to imagine all the possibilities of “what if”.

The most we are able to do and work through the scenarios we can think of. It's the same with preparing. We try to think through the most likely situations.

But the reality is we don't really know. We can only be as prepared as we possibly can be. Whether it is economic collapse, a pandemic, EMP or vampires we do the best we can.

More on “swatting” from the F.B.I. "The Crime of Swatting Has RealConsequences”

What you see here on my blog and on facebook is original work (and pictures) that I (Perky Prepping Gramma) actually do myself. I simply share my journey on preparing. If you liked this article, please feel free to like me (Perky Prepping Gramma) on facebook & keep up to date on things I post. I appreciate the support. Thank you.

Can't afford (fill in the blank)?

Are you serious about preparing? What things do you think you really would find helpful for your preparations? What are you willing to do to accomplish your goals?

It is too easy to simply say "we don't have enough money." Trust me, everyone who has paid off their credit cards, home or whatever a one point probably would have thought they didn't have enough money to accomplish that feat.

                                

I challenge you to take that next step & we will cheer you on. Please don't say why you can't do it. Just silently take the chance to try...

Read how I got started: Financial Stability & Money then try, just try...

Chances are you CAN do it.
The reason I didn't share a lot of links over the holidays for items to buy, is that I didn't want you doing something I wouldn't do. I am serious about not being in debt. Have you figured that out yet? LOL.

At the very least, if there is a bigger ticket item you want, start saving. See what you are able to accomplish. I promise you it will be worth every penny pinched. Right gang?

Resolutions Requires Responsibility

Accepting Responsibility

I don't really do New Years Resolutions. Instead years ago, I determined my life vision and mission statement.

Love God, love others, it's simple...

Entice the skeptic, challenge the lukewarm & ignite passion in the believer

Pretty much everything I do in life is measured against these call to actions in my life. I never expected to be in this place when I started prepping. I started my Perky Prepping Gramma persona to be able to share my journey and people started following. It still makes me laugh. But, there came point when I realized that I had a job to do here. I accepted the resolute responsibility of what I am currently doing.

I also realized that what I do here falls right in line with my mission statement. Crazy? Maybe...
I write and share, challenge you to grow and share.

I get excited to entice another person to take the step of starting the journey to prepare.

You keep me motivated. Honestly if it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't be sharing much anymore. I would still be doing the work, but not sharing. I still remember how hard it was to find the information I didn't even know I needed to know.

So, no New Years Resolutions. But, I will keep sharing...

An intelligent person aims at wise action, but a fool starts off in many directions. (Proverbs 17: 24 GNT)

Happy Water Kefir (part 3)

Since I have ordered my second batch of water Kefir grains, production has really picked up. Now this is a happy routine. There are many health benefits to the various kefirs, the one that has been the most beneficial to me is it stops my acid reflux in it's tracks. BIG bonus, now I don't have to take OTC's any more.
Here is my set up. Currently I am using 1/2 gallon containers.

Start with organic water kefir grains. you may have a friend who will share, since the grains will grow. I personally ordered mine from Amazon. I started with a smaller size and added more later as our needs grew.
To maintain the health of your kefir grains use non-chlorinated water. While I started with bottled water, I quickly just started a half gallon jar set out with water on the counter, so the chlorine is able to dissipate.  
The second is a jar with the water kefir grains, water and 1/2 cup of organic raw sugar.
The third is one that has the grains strained out & whatever fruit added to it.

Each day I sample the water kefir and when it gets to the effervescent level I like, then I set out all my jars and start by draining the fruit out of jar 3 into storage bottles. This is what I keep in the fridge. If I reach a point that I have a lot of completed Kefir, I have a gallon dispenser that I use.

Next, strain out the water kefir grains out, placing the first fermented water into another 1/2 gallon jar. Put the grains back into the first jar and add the correct amount of sugar and the new water to start the fermentation process again.

Add your fruit at this point. The nice thing, the grains come with directions, it is pretty simple to do and you learn to experiment and find what works for you.

If you need to slow down production, put the jar with the grains in the fridge. Just remember, it still needs to fed some sugar & it will take extra time (days) to warm up the grains again.
I have made raspberry, mango, ginger, kiwi & blueberry Kefir water. Blueberry is Mr. Perky's favorite so far. You may use fresh fruit, dehydrated or freeze dried fruit. My preference is for dehydrated, it seems to concentrate the taste in my opinion. I am going to have to break out my blueberries in simple syrup soon, since we are quickly going through our dehydrated blueberry stock.
As always I enjoy people sharing the progress. Join me on facebook & share a picture. We are on this journey together.
P.S. Just a cool side note: This is what the dehydrated blueberries look like after fermentation. They bloat up and there is NOTHING left inside. 

Water Kefir (part one)

Raspberry Gobmacking Delicious Water Kefir (part one)

No Piggy for Perky...

I wanted a pot bellied pig for years. So long ago, I even forgot. Then the other day Mr. Perky reminded me with our new place I could have one.
Oh, the delight. This was to be a pet pig. 

Being responsible, I started doing my research on pigs.

* Zoning, yippy I now am going to be zoned agricultural! 

* They root. Oh, well, so my dogs dig.

* Expect your potbellied pig to mature about the size of a large canine, between 120 and 150 pounds. None will stay that cute little size often posted in ads (40-50 lbs). I can deal with that, just a little more to love.

* Wait, pigs & dogs don't mix? I read more (and more) on that topic. 

Generally it said never, ever leave dogs and pigs alone together. Pigs are omnivores and dogs carnivores. That won't do. We are gone too much. So, sadly my dream of a piggie will have to wait, when we are able to be home more to monitor them & have a safe place for each to hang out when we are gone.

Two is One, One is None...

One of the basics principles you will hear over and over is "Two is one, one is none". I even think that should be "Three is two, two is one...". I expand that myself into the more I use an item, the more I store. Also, as we are cleaning out the house it is so much easier to organize what I have.  More specifically I try to insure that I have items that don't use electricity. While this is prudent in a time without electricity, I also simply prefer hand tools.

While I only have one rolling pin (I am apt to use a bottle just as quickly), I have three sets of measuring spoons. 
I have a lot of scissors, (these shown here were a more recent purchase) really good ones and mediocre ones I have accumulated over the years. I also have four Kevlar gloves. All that took was slicing a part of my finger off to make sure I have several.

                  

 

I have multiple can openers, plus P-38's. I have both the newer type of can openers that take the rim of the top & the older type (of these) that leaves the rim on the can. Which is important if you are opening large containers of say freeze dried items in a #10 can. You need to leave the rim on so you are able to place a lid on the can. Plus, I keep a stock of P-38's (and emergency blankets), since they are so inexpensive.

 

Though only two are shown here, I have three sets of canning tools. Two are kept in this bag, the other in my second canner. Yep, I have two pressure canners also. 

Potato peelers, thermometers, cheese graters and more. I even have two percolators, They were free! This list goes on and on and this is just some of my kitchen gadgets. 

I often encourage you to simply think so...as you are going through the next couple of days, be aware of what you are using and how often you use it. Then consider if you need to have a back up in your supplies. Let me know what you come up with. Yes, a hairbrush can break, or we lose toenail clippers often. 

While I am a fan of the Dollar Store, when it is something important buy something more substantial that will last. 

What you see here on my blog and on facebook is original work (and pictures) that I (Perky Prepping Gramma) actually do myself. I simply share my journey on preparing. If you liked this article, please feel free to like me (Perky Prepping Gramma) on facebook & keep up to date on things I post. I appreciate the support. Thank you.

 _________________________________

I have an online Amazon Associate/store called Perky Prepping Gramma's Store. This allows me to show you the products I have personally used and endorse, while monetizing my work. What I found early on was people would ask me where I got such & such an item and I would simply share a link. 

Even on regular Amazon (not prime), on specific items, when your order reaches a certain point, I believe it's $35 the shipping to home is free. So, i created a store of these items I use frequently or recommend. It doesn't cost you anything extra, but I do receive a small percentage as an advertising bonus, if you purchase from my store. You are even able to just link in and do any of your regular Amazon shopping. I really appreciate your support!