CORNDOG CASSEROLE 

Make cornbread  batter (recipe following) and pour it into a buttered 9 x 13 pan.

Cut organic all-chicken or all-beef hot dogs in pieces and “bury”  them in the cornbread batter.

Bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes, or until center is done to the test. (Insert knife into cornbread and when done it should come out clean) Let cool.

Cut pieces of the casserole so that each piece has a hot dog in it. Serve with lots of ketchup and/or mustard.

* OPTION: Add a layer (2-4 cups) of homemade chili to the bottom of the pan first, for a Chili CornDog Casserole. You can also add a thin layer of shredded cheddar cheese over the chili, before you add the cornbread batter and hot dogs.

* Sometimes I will add a sprinkling of shredded cheddar cheese on the top of the cornbread and it adds a nice flavor, texture and creates a nice “crust”.

WHOLE-GRAIN CORN BREAD

2 large eggs, beaten

1/2 cup honey

1 Tablespoon butter, melted

1 1/2 cups milk, buttermilk or non-dairy alternative

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

2 cups yellow cornmeal (freshly-ground popcorn)

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon Real Salt

Beat eggs together then beat in remaining wet ingredients. Whisk flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt together. Stir into wet mixture and stir just until all ingredients are incorporated.

Spread into oiled or buttered 9 x 13 inch pan, OR for thicker cornbread use a large cast iron skillet. For the CornDog Casserole, use the 9 x 13 pan, the dogs fit better.

Bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Serve hot, with extra honey or butter to drizzle! (Or ketchup and mustard for the CornDog Casserole.)

* OPTION: You can add 1-2 cups sweet kernel corn (frozen or canned) to the cornbread batter.

Enjoy!

Global Sun Oven

I have to share about this, it’s that good! I love my Sun Oven and my friend Donna is the only one that is doing this sale!

If you’ve been thinking of getting the SUN OVEN, now is your chance to save big ONLY with Donna Miller of Miller’s Grain House. Check it out!

SUN OVEN SALE Limited ONLY thru us and until August 15th

SAVE $30.00 if you have the code!

MGHGSOPPO

Offer limited time (ends Aug. 15, 2011) and currently only offered only at Millers Grain House!

Tell your FRIENDS!

GLOBAL SUN OVEN PLUS PREP PACK

Global Sun Oven in snow

Global Solar Oven Includes:

Free  Shipping

Built in thermometer

Attached one piece collapsible reflectors

Spill-proof levelator

Self-contained focusing leg

Features:

Reaches temperatures 360 to 400F.

Weighs 21 pounds

Opens and folds up in seconds and comes with a carrying handle.

*PLUS* the limited-time offer: PREPAREDNESS PACKAGE INCLUDES:

2 Stackable Black Graniteware Covered Round 3-qt Pots

1 Set of Two Loaf Pans

1 Set of Two Cookie Sheet/Brownie Pans

1 Water Pasteurization Indicator – WAPI

Plus a bonus computer CD with over 80 SUN OVEN recipes, cooking tips, FAQs, written & video operating instructions, a video on how the SUN OVEN works and emergency preparedness tips.

*This package is only available with the purchase of a SUN OVEN through Millers Grain House and ONLY for a LIMITED TIME (ends Monday Aug. 15th).

Put in the code: MGHGSOPPO at check-out.

Best Blessings!

Joseph & Donna Miller, Owners

Millers Grain House & Grain Storehouse, Your Preparation Station

Feel free to contact our office via email or call during business hours.

Mon – Thurs 9:00-5:00, Fri 9:00-4:00 Eastern Time

1.828.536.4988

Our Online Store – http://www.millersgrainhouse.com/store

Free Whole Grain Recipes Each Month – http://www.eatgrains.com

Free Videos – Saving Food Budget – http://www.youtube.com/user/thewheatguy

Today, I am thankful and humbled by the blessings G-d has given to us and these include providing good foods for us. I wanted to share with you what is in my kitchen today.

What's in my hands?

This morning I:

~ Picked wild blueberries and had a time of prayer. Then I made whole wheat blueberry pancakes.

Wild organic blueberries

~ Went to the garden and picked cabbage, kale and zucchini. I used them in my Chicken and Veggie Stir Fry.

~ Rinsed and drained my growing organic sprouts. I used some in my scrambled eggs.

~ Removed the fruit from the dehydrator that had been drying overnight. I vacuum-sealed some for long-term storage and left some for snacking.

~ Snipped the organic chocolate mint patches and made a mint infusion by muddling the mint leaves in pure water and placing it in the fridge to steep. I dehydrated the rest to have for mint teas.

~ I dehydrated the kale and zucchini and vacuum-sealed them for long-term real food storage.

What is in your hands today? What do you have that you are working with?

Click on this link to listen online or click on the button at the link to download as an MP3 to your device for anytime or mobile listening.

Get Real–Get Prepared with Vickilynn Haycraft. Exploring preparedness from the grass roots up!

Today’s Topic: What CAN you do? 

Vickilynn’s special guest Brenda Berry shares her story of physical challenges and learning how to take care of herself and her family even battling a disabling illness that confined her to a wheelchair. Brenda left a career in Law Enforcement to move to the mountains where she now gardens, makes all her food from scratch because of her food allergies and she reaches out to others to help them prepare and overcome their own challenges. Brenda says you CAN do more than you think!

Brenda’s website has information, supplies and resources on sprouting, gardening, solar cooking and much more.

Be sure to check out an AMAZING website for sprouting… SproutPeople.org

Vickilynn’s links:
Prep news, events and recipes
http://www.blog.realfoodliving.com

Product reviews
http://www.examiner.com/housewares-in-national/vickilynn-haycraft

Prep information and more
http://www.realfoodliving.com

Prep news, events and recipes
http://www.blog.realfoodliving.com
Visit Vickilynn’s website at:  http://www.realfoodliving.com

There are many reasons, which include dried / dehydrated cooked foods are perfect for camping, backpacking, traveling, vacationing, cooking away from home (maybe in a hotel room), long-term storage and emergency rations. They are lightweight, take up little space and can be rehydrated easily and quickly for hot, whole meals any time and almost any place.

Dehydrated meal fixin's

However, there are problems with buying foods already dehydrated. For one, the cost can be exorbitant, especially right now. Dried foods are in great demand as food costs rise and consumers worry about an uncertain future. In addition, many processed dried foods contain a LOT of  preservatives and chemicals you may not want to feed your family.

What’s the answer? Cook real foods from scratch, the kind you want to feed your family, without additives and seasoned the way you like them. Then dehydrate and store them. The cost is minimal, the savings are huge and you can feed your family the quality food you desire under any circumstances.

Some simple foods to get started with are rice, beans, fruits and veggies. These foods are staples and can be purchased organic, grown locally, in bulk and in varieties your family will eat.

To cook dried beans, soak for 12-24 hours, drain the soaking water and cook until tender. Let the beans cool, spread them out on dehydrating trays (or on baking sheets for oven dehydrating) and dehydrate until completely dry.

It can be confusing to consider drying cooked beans that were already dried, but remember, the starting product were RAW dried beans, not cooked dried beans. So they must be cooked to be eaten. And once cooked, they can be dehydrated to be stored. The cooked, dried beans do not require long soaking or cooking times and a large amount of precious water as the raw dried beans do, in fact, the cooked dried beans can be rehydrated with boiling water to cover in a pan, bowl or even thermos for no-fuel rehydration.

Lentils are easy to cook and dehydrate as they do not require pre-soaking. Simply cook lentil until done (but still firm), let cool and dehydrate as any other cooked bean. You can salt or season them before dehydrating, but be warned, dehydration intensifies flavors, so season lightly!

Cooked lentils for dehydrating

This weekend, I am cooking and dehydrating lentils, kidney beans, vegetables, brown rice and applesauce. My cooked lentils dried nicely overnight in my Excalibur dehydrator. After drying, I let them cool completely before sealing, as this reduces the chance of moisture and condensation.

Dried cooked lentils

Next, I vacuum-seal them in portion-sized bags and place those alongside the other components of the full meal, so it is easy to grab or pack all at once.

I also dehydrated applesauce “plops” which turned out great as well. I’ll roll them up in parchment and seal those in baggies as well.

My goal is to create dehydrated meals we can take with us camping, or traveling, or for emergencies. We have some thermos bottles and we can place boiling water over these dehydrated foods and have lentils, rice, seasonings and applesauce for dessert.

I’m doing the same with the kidney beans, which I slow cooked overnight. I used some for chili for supper and the rest I’ll let cool and dehydrate overnight. Today I have the dryer filled with more applesauce “plops” and some sliced, blanched potatoes.

Are y’all dehydrating?

Our guest Linda Anderson explained why it is necessary to plan for you or your loved ones who might need assistance or a caregiver in an emergency evacuation situation.

To hear the entire show, click on the player on the right side of this blog. Or, go directly to this link to listen or to download as an MP3.

Linda gave us a LOT of great information and resources, including links. Here they are again:

www.ready.gov

Highlights from Linda Anderson:

UTSE BAG OUTLINE

I began this particular study because the director of our Senior Center gave me a UTSE bag and asked me to give a presentation on it. We haven’t done it yet. But in the near future we will plan to open it to the entire community and our local first responders… police, fire… rescue workers.

To start with, I want to ask you a few questions. You might want to be ready to jot some information down, especially if what I say rings a bell with you. This is really important.

• Why would you need to evacuate?
o Natural disasters
o Riots
o House fires

• In this listening audience, is there anyone who is house bound?
o Have you thought about how you (or those you love) can actually evacuate if necessary?
o Are there any physical or mental impairments which might make it difficult or impossible to evacuate?
• Here is a partial list of the kinds of people who may not be able to self evacuate. Do you know of anyone who may fit this category?
o http://www.facebook.com/l/7e5a9uzuzDylmf93X0AB_46lVxg/www.uwyo.edu/wind/_files/docs/utse_resources/IDENTIFYING_PEOPLE_UTSE.pdf
o Schools
K-12 schools (public and private)
o At-Large in Neighborhoods
Mothers and Children with Special Health Care Needs
Elderly
People With Disabilities & others w/functional & access needs
o Community Facilities
Mental Health Centers (public and private)
Wyoming State Hospital
Wyoming Life Resource Center
Veterans Hospitals and Centers
Independent Living Centers
Group Homes
Residential Treatment Programs
Hospitals and Clinics
Nursing Homes/Residential Facilities for senior citizens
Residential Facilities for people with disabilities
Senior/Daytime Activity Centers
Hospice Centers
Day care centers
Other-state resources to house people with disabilities and
o Other vulnerable populations
Day Habilitation Centers (vocational rehabilitation)
Resorts and Hotels
o Court Related
Prisons
Jails
Honor Farm
Wyoming Boys School
Wyoming Girls School
Residential Treatment Center
• In the event of an emergency in which you must evacuate what will you do?
• Can you depend on others to take care of this problem?
o During hurricane Katrina 30 bedridden patients in a nursing home in Chalmette, Louisiana died because they were abandoned by their caregivers
o http://www.facebook.com/l/7e5a9h59k3P4b5x-Yx3BaEhtT1Q/www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/3516805.html the elderly sweltering on buses without air conditioning, festering in ill-equipped shelters in schools and churches, or taking refuge in coastal zones vulnerable to another storm — were intended arrangements laid out in approved evacuation plans.
o Only 44 out of 130 nursing homes in hurricane-prone Brazoria, Galveston and Harris counties supplied them in 2004,
o the director of emergency preparedness for East Baton Rouge Parish, who said she has told 23 out of the 28 homes in her parish that their plans are inadequate.

You Must Be Ready to Go – I’m going to specifically address issues of the elderly and people who cannot self evacuate
• make a plan
o decide where you can go should you need to evacuate
o decide what you will need to take with you
o keep a bag packed with essentials
• issues to consider:
o Roads and sidewalks might be blocked or damaged, cars may not start or run or be able to go down roads.
o You might not be able to get to school or your doctor’s office or call anyone on the phone.
o You must plan to live out of your kit for a number of days.
o Basic service like electricity, gas, water and telephones—including cell phones—may be cut off for days, weeks or even longer
• Discuss your plan with your helpers
o Meet with someone who is your helper or family member and discuss why you need to be prepared for emergencies and disasters.
Discuss the types of disasters we could have in your state.
Also discuss the types of disasters in other places you might visit or other places where you have family or friend
• Gulf states – hurricanes
• California and western states – fires
o You also need to discuss where to meet if you have to leave where you live—and there is no way to use telephones.
in a fire, you might want to meet on a certain corner, at a nearby store or parking lot.
If you decide to meet at a business place, everyone should have the phone number and address of that business place
o What are your limitations? Think about what you are able to do. How can you make sure you can do the things you plan to do?
If you have a physical impairment(s) and your home is damaged
• how will you move around inside
• can you safely get out?
• If the power is out or goes out, how long will your wheelchair batteries last…
• how long will your ventilator function…
o dialysis machine…?
If you can not transport yourself and you have to go to a shelter or some other location, how will you get there?
• If you use a cane, do you have an extra one stored with your personal emergency readiness kit?
• What about an extra dog leash and/or harness…bowl…dog food…?
What about your service animal?
• Can you take your animal to your local shelter?
• Rules for animals in shelters vary from state to state and even from county to county.
• What is your plan if your service animal is injured or is unable to serve you?
• Has your local emergency manager made plans to get service animal replacements if necessary?
If you are hearing impaired, what are your plans for getting information?
• Do you have TTY numbers for local disaster officials?
• If there is no power, there will be no telephones, limited computer service and no power for television service.
• How will you communicate with rescuers?
• Will there be interpreters in local shelters?
• Critical Issues – make an emergency preparedness kit
o Where will you stay?
in your home, what would you need if you had no power or electricity, no heat, no refrigeration, no TV, no radio, no telephone and no water?
Will you stay
• with a family member or friend who does not live in the disaster area?
• at a hotel or other location outside the disaster area?
• at a public shelter?
o If emergency management has given an evacuation order
are you directly in the path of danger and whether local roads are open or might soon close.
If you think you want to stay in your home, please see our handout about staying where you are in the case of emergencies. The very most important point in all your plans is to have at least one back-up plan for everything.
Remember if you decide to remain in your home, it may be many days before anyone comes to check on you.
o You should not remain at home if an evacuation order is given. The order is given to save lives. If you ignore the order, you place your life at risk.
o If you have personal supports and services for care, you need a backup plan in case your first plan doesn’t work to make sure those support and service needs are met in emergency situations.
Do you require special foods or diet?
Do you have food allergies?
Does food you eat require special preparation?
Does certain food need refrigeration?
Do you require adaptive utensils, plates, bowls, cups, etc.?
Does someone assist you to eat or drink?
o Do you need accessible transportation or do you need someone to help move you around?
What positioning or other equipment do you use, e.g. adaptive seating, stander, bed, toilet, bath chair, hoist, Hoyer lift, etc.?
What equipment items are battery operated?
What adaptive tools do you use to help you pick things up or use equipment
• Keep your kit ready and in one place
o Wyoming has what are referred to as “special needs registries.”
These are voluntary registries, maintained by fire and/or emergency managers
identify where you live and what kind of assistance you might need in the event of emergency evacuation
This registry not only assists emergency managers during emergencies, but also helps them plan for sheltering and providing other needs.
o If you don’t live in Wyoming, find out if your state has a special needs registry.
o Most people have friends and family who are called a personal support network.
You should have three or four people identified as your emergency personal support network
• They should each know your personal emergency readiness plan
• specifically what they will need to do for you during an emergency.
Here are some of the things you’ll need to talk about with them:
• Check on you and ensure you are ok. Agree on a visible signal that communicates you are safe and have left your home, e.g., hang a sheet or towel outside your window.
• Help get supplies to you if you remain in your home.
• Transport you to another location.
• Keep a copy of your personal emergency readiness plan.
• Review your personal emergency readiness plan and coordinate needs with local emergency management officials.
• Help contact other family members, friends and service providers during a disaster.
• Check your kit every six months.
• Keep your kit handy and make sure other people know where it is.
• What Should Your Personal readiness Kit contain?
o Water
1 gallon per person per day
o Food
Store food which requires no refrigeration, preparation or cooking—and little or no water for preparation, for example canned meats, fruits, vegetables and juices
Baby food
Pet food
o Medications
Durable or disposable medical equipment
Non-prescription drugs such as aspirin or non aspirin pain reliever
Medications specific for individuals in your family such as insulin for diabetic
o Sanitation
Personal hygiene items like deodorant, shampoo, special soaps
Toilet paper, towelettes
Feminine supplies such as tampons, Kotex pads
Disinfectant, vinegar, bleach, Lysol
o Tools & supplies
Flash light, battery operated radio and extra batteries
Mess kits or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
Cash or Traveler’s Checks, change
Fire extinguisher
Tent
Tool box including wrench for turning off gas and water
Plastic sheeting
Utility knife
o Clothing & bedding
Sturdy shoes or work boots
Rain gear
Blankets or sleeping bags
Hat and gloves
Thermal underwear
o Family documents
ID cards, passports, social security cards
Will, insurance policies, contracts, stocks
Bank account information
Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container
If you have a personal computer, scan and save these items on a thumb drive or disc
Send copies to a family member in case originals are destroyed
o First aid kit
First aid kit
Sterile bandages
Tape
Antiseptic wipes
Gloves
Scissors
Face mask

The very most important things to remember are:
• Make a plan
• Discuss your plan with your helpers
• Make an emergency readiness kit
• Keep your kit ready and in one place
• Check your kit every six months
• Keep your kit handy and make sure other people know where it is
• Make a back-up plan for every plan you have

This is a great way to blog about your invisible illness too. We may say, “no one understands!” but have we really given them the chance to? Fill this out, post it on your blog or on Facebook, etc. and then let your friends and family know. You may even be surprised to find out who you know who is living silently with his or her own invisible illness.

Be sure to comment below with the name of your blog and where it’s posted so we can come read it!

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

1. The illness I live with is:  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFIDS, CFS), Fibromyalgia, Chemo-Brain.
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year:  1991 for CFS and Fibro.
3. But I had symptoms since:  1984 for CFS and Fibro.
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: having to say no to activities because I have simply run out of steam or I am in pain, or both.
5. Most people assume: I am well because I don’t look ill and I try to push myself.
6. The hardest part about mornings are: making my body move because of the pain and stiffness in my joints and fogginess in my brain.

7. My favorite medical TV show is:  reality hospital shows, Royal Pains, forensic shows.
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: large bread mixer (Bosch).
9. The hardest part about nights are: the pain is  much worse and it’s difficult to get to sleep without help.
10. Each day I take _several_ pills & vitamins. (No comments, please)
11. Regarding alternative treatments I:  embrace the ones that are G-d-given and try them before thinking about other treatments.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: Neither!   I guess, a visible one if I had to have one at all.

13. Regarding working and career:  I am unable at this point to do either.
14. People would be surprised to know: how much the pain and fatigue sidelines me. And yet, I am able to get things done by careful planning. They would be surprised to know that I don’t cook every day.

15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: how I want to go, go, go and my body says “no, no, no!” The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: Bake again.
17. The commercials about my illness: Get the word out about the validity of this disease that for decades (and even now) some doctors mocked and refused to accept as real.
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: being active with my family.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: just about everything.

20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: writing.

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: run with my children and fly kites or go fishing!
22. My illness has taught me: to trust G-d for my strength and seek Him for the wisdom in how to use what strength I get from Him and when to stop and rest when I’ve done enough.
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: “Well, you LOOK fine.”
24. But I love it when people: try to understand that an invisible illness is very real.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is:  Isaiah 40:31  But they that wait upon the L-RD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: It may be overwhelming at first, but there are people who care and will help you get to a place where it settles down and is more manageable. There are more and more resources available as our diseases become more widely known.

27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is:  how much G-d has blessed me!

28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: made supper for us and brought it over.
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: I wish more people knew there are so many people who live with invisible illnesses and need support and love.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: like you care about people you may or may not know who may be dealing with this and you want to know more.

Are you blogging for Invisible Illness Week? Be sure to sign up and let us know at Bloggers Unite!

Breads and sub rolls for meatball subs

Meatball Pizza (homemade crust, homemade meat balls) made in IR oven

Flourless Peanut Butter cookies in the IR oven

Cutting "Zoodles" with my trusty Spirooli

Cooking zoodles

It’s been awhile since I’ve added to this blog. I’ve been writing for a syndicated column, Examiner.com Please come and check it out and subscribe! That way you will get all the new posts, reviews and recipes as soon as they are published.

This past week, I made Zoodles Alfredo,  Recipes using Zucchini, and 3 double batches of  Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies. (recipe below) in my Infrared ovens I am testing. I am using a NuWave Pro Infrared oven and Morningware Halogen Infrared oven. These are both portable, tabletop and use convection and infrared technology.

I’ve also been baking homemade, whole-grain breads and pizza crusts and then full-topped pizzas in these IR ovens! They do not heat up my kitchen, they save on fuel by not using my big oven and they cook / bake is about half the time of conventional ovens. HALF THE TIME! WOW!

Pictures will be coming shortly!  What’s cookin’ in your kitchens?

Tonight I made more Gluten-Free Peanut Butter cookies for the family since they’ve been scarfing them down I used my Infrared ovens and did not use my big oven! I did them in batches (as I would do in my big gas oven) and they came out amazing!

Here’s my tweaked recipe, it makes 38-40 cookies.

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

38-40

1 1/2 cups organic sucanat (or 3/4 organic white, 3/4 organic brown)
1 teaspoon unsulphured molasses (optional)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla
2 large organic eggs
2 cups organic peanut butter, smooth or creamy
2 teaspoons baking powder
Chocolate chips (optional)

In a mixing bowl, place the sucanat or sugars, molasses, vanilla and eggs. Beat well until light and smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Add baking powder and peanut butter. Beat again until dough is completely mixed and pulls together. I use my Kitchen Aid mixer with the paddle.

At this point refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours.

When ready to bake, cut out circles of unbleached parchment paper to fit the IR racks. I use the 2-inch rack. Dip dough about by rounded tablespoonfuls and roll in your hands to make the ball smooth. Place on the parchment circle on top of the rack.

Press down slightly with fingers to flatten, OR use a fork dipped in sucanat to make a criss-cross pattern. In the middle of each cookie, place a chocolate chip (point side down).

Bake on HI (NuWave 350) for 7 minutes, or 8 for a little more brown color.

These are very fragile so with a small peel or board, remove the parchment sheet with the cookies to a cooling rack. Let the cookies sit on the parchment for 5-7 minutes and then transfer them with a spatula to the cooling rack.

In a conventional oven, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the cookies on parchment-lined cookie sheets and bake for 12-13 minutes or until lightly browned. Follow the instructions above.

These are SOOO good and they go fast!

~~In Messiah Yeshua,
Vickilynn
Micah 6:8