Food Storage Friday - Balance

With rising prices, bad weather, unstable job environments, one of the best things we as women (or men) in charge of our homes can do, is work on our food storage to ensure our family will continue to eat well no matter what the circumstance is. It doesn't take a lot to organize your pantry and make a little room for extras, and with the help of coupons and sales, can be done very cheaply. Every Friday, I'd like to encourage you to join in with me to do one or two little things to add to or work with your food storage.

This week, I'm talking about balance in your food storage.

When you are adding to your food storage via sales, or couponing, it's very easy to end up with a bunch of one thing, and not enough of others. By the time you've put everything away from that great sale you scored today, there is no room (or cash!) to add in anything else!

Balance what you are purchasing. Yes, those canned soups at 50 cents can be a great deal, but if your grocery budget takes a nosedive, will you be able to eat those soups several days a week (if not every day, depending on your financial situation!) without going insane? And if you buy 30 cans, will there be room in your pantry for that great deal on pasta 3 days later? Don't ever allow yourself to say I can store my food in this corner, or that corner, because you run the risk of falling into the "Oops! I bought then last year and forgot about it!" trap. That's always fine to do with things like toilet paper and paper towels (I do it myself!) but never with food items.

The point of having food storage is that you can continue to make whole meals, without going to the grocery store. If payday is 10 days away and you have $3 in your checking account or there is an unexpected snowstorm you woke up to, you may not have the option of adding in fresh produce or meat - that's why it is so important to have a variety!

With Easter being here this week, there may some great deals to be had on foods. Did you know eggs are freezable? You can freeze them either well mixed, or you can separate the yolks from the whites, depending on what recipes you plan to use them in the future.

To freeze eggs mixed, beat them well, then pour into lightly greased muffin tins. (Each tin should hold about 2 large egg's worth) You can also use a ice cube tray - one large egg is usually two cubes worth. Allow them to freeze well (6 to 8 hours), then pop them out of the tins, and place in a freezer safe bag. Don't forget to write the date on the bag! They will keep this way for up to one year! (You'll never pay full price for eggs for baking again, trust me!)

To freeze eggs separate, separate them as usual. I use large ice cube trays (not the tiny small square ones), and add them into that. The whites will usually fill one cube, the yolks will fill one and a quarter if they are large eggs, one if they are medium. Egg yolks can change consistency, so add a pinch of salt to each square. (Don't forget to mix the yolks first!)

To use, just thaw in your fridge, and add to your baking recipes.

Ham frozen in your freezer will stay good for 2 to 3 months, and turkey will stay good up to a year. Watch the date on any shelf stable goods that are on sale - stores want to move short dated products this time of year. Be careful to only buy what you will use in your meals before they expire!