Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: May 29 ~ June 4, 2022

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Just got back from shopping, picking my car up, and topping both vehichles off with gas. $4.09 for regular gas for the Jeep and $4.63 for Premium which is what my car uses.

I stocked up on everything, again. No shortages at all. Shelves were packed. I let Cary pick out some Campbell's Chunky Soups. He got Beef and Country Vegetable, Spicy Chicken Quesadilla, Chicken and Wild Rice, Sirlon Burger and Country Vegetable, and Savory Pot Roast. I bought 2 of each. I also picked up more pint canning jars and another 2 boxes of lids and bands. No 1/2gal jars this time. Bought a new bath rug, 2 tall canisters to hold more spaghetti noodle pasta, and 2 bras. More dog food and treats. 4 cans of the smoked diced ham and 2 cans of corned beef. 4 bags of egg noodles. Laundry detergent. Everything else was regular food/produce for 2 weeks. Total cost was ridiculous! I'm not even going to shop at Sam's this go around. Shopping there will probably be limited to only once a month from now on. We have to cut cost somewhere, and Sam's is always quite expensive for us.

We made it back, before the rain. It looks, now, like the worst of the weather is going south of us. We may not get any rain at all. If not, we'll have to water the gardens again.
 

WanderLore

Veteran Member
There are some little box type food in freezer at dollar general that I get if I'm staying over at son's and they are really good. Chinese meals. Microwave couple minutes. Good bit of food.

Levi and I are making homemade baked beans today. No bacon. Substituted sausage links he cut up small. So far so good.
He likes to come in cabin. Pull out little desk for a table. Put the butane grill on it. Turns it on, puts pot of food on and cooks and serves it lol.
He made us beans and weenies last night.
 
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moldy

Veteran Member
Lordy, I'm tired. Finished radiation and waiting for speech therapy. A gate got left open, so the cows decided to see how the garden was doing and drop by the house to say hi. I got to escort them back on the other side of the gate while dressed in my finest nightgown and muck boots.

I did get some herbs planted, and will hit Kroger on the way home. Peaches for 97c/lb is too good a deal to pass up.
 

briches

Veteran Member
Sorry I haven’t been as active this week. School is out for the summer for me (yay) as of Tuesday. I’ve been taking some time for some much needed self care. I’ve made time to read each day, get a walk in, and an unplugging a bit from the doom. I’ve also made a point to start eating healthier as I’ve put on 14 pounds since February.
Time to get back to it.

I’m realizing “preventative maintenance” for my health is VERY important!

Went to the grocery store to get a few items for the next few meals. I was hoping to spend $60. I spent $86. I was able to carry it into the house in one trip (5 bags). Money just isn’t going as far.

I’ll be thankful when the garden starts producing.
 
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SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Lordy, I'm tired. Finished radiation and waiting for speech therapy. A gate got left open, so the cows decided to see how the garden was doing and drop by the house to say hi. I got to escort them back on the other side of the gate while dressed in my finest nightgown and muck boots.

I did get some herbs planted, and will hit Kroger on the way home. Peaches for 97c/lb is too good a deal to pass up.

Oh, I can picture you in that nightgown and boots! I've made many of a trip to the gardens in the early daylight hours in my shortie nightshirt and Cary's mucks! I nearly trip over my own feet in them. LOL!
 

ReneeT

Veteran Member
Took a nice nap, then got most of the front garden put in. Need 5 more tomato plants and 1 more pepper plant so I'll get those after work in the morning, plus the green pole bean seed and sweet corn seed Hubby forgot that he was supposed to pick up this morning. I'll plant those things once once I get home in tomorrow morning so then I can focus on what I want to put in the back garden. I hate picking bush beans - much prefer to pick my beans standing up - but will probably get a packet of each to plant in that garden, along with the sweet corn, sunflowers, and melons that I already have planned. Who know what else will strike my fancy :lol:
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
It's been a busy morning. I've got the canner going with 5 more pints of ground beef. I've watered the gardens and all of my flowers. Cary hoed/weeded the gardens. Did a load of laundry and have them hanging on the clothesline to dry. Emptied 3 large boxes of spaghetti pasta into the 2 canisters I bought, yesterday, and emptied 4 bags of egg noodles into some empty jugs I washed and reuse for the noodles. I love those plastic jugs that mixed nuts come in from Sam's. They make great reusable pasta/rice canisters. Once Cary messes up more dishes and eats his lunch, I'll have to wash and clean up the kitchen. I used my roasting pan to cook the ground beef this time, and it worked a lot better.

Now that I see how well the canner does with ground beef, I'm going to buy some beef stew meat, and try canning that in quarts. That's if I can afford the stew meat by the time I get back to town in 2 weeks!

Decided this morning to take a break from all the "hair on fire" and doom/woo/fear porn reading on the forum. A person can only stand so much, and I'm tired of it for a while.

Well, that's my day so far. How about ya'll? Hope everyone is having a good one.
 
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ReneeT

Veteran Member
I stopped at the Farmer's Market on my way home from work to pick up the tomato plants I needed to finish out a row. Then I walked down the line of sellers and got a bag with 4 snickerdoodle cookies, 2 homemade donuts, wildflowers in pineapple shaped vase sold to me by two pre-teen girls (love it when the kids want to put effort into money-making!), and another boy and girl in the same age range were selling those pot holders you make on a loom, so I picked up 4 of those - they make nice coasters. Miss Bonita's Bloomers had some nice plants so I picked up a couple - couldn't tell you what they were now but they are gracing my porch table now; and I got a jar of honey and one of freshly made strawberry jam at the last booth. It was much more fun to spread a little cash around at the market than it is to stop at Wal-Mart :)

Edited to add: I finished planting the front garden as soon as I got home from the market :rs: :rs: :rs: :rs:
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I'm waiting until after the electric meter gets read (6/6) to put the heater on the wet wall and floor in my closet. DH used the heater earlier in May when the bedroom was too cold for him ( usually below 80), so its not like we haven't used it this month. Just hold off on any big electric users until after the meter gets read.

We had some heavy showers yesterday two or three times for about 5 minutes each.

DH has tilled and seeded an area near the bee hives (across the highway from the house), the rain watered it yesterday. so just in case we don't get much rain, he is rigging up a water wagon with one of his ISCB totes and one of his trailers. Although he won't fill the tote all the way full because it would be too heavy to transport. He also mentioned it would also be good in case of some kind of fire that a hose can't reach.

We are still finding ways to lock things down. His tractor will fit in his enclosed trailer and I suggested he do that if and when we had to go out of town for more than a day trip to the VA. He grimised but was definitely giving it some thought. The saw mill will be behind two locked gates as at least a deterent.

He has a chicken that keeps getting in the back garden. He said whenever she sees him she gets back in the chicken yard in a big hurry. He said if she didn't then I'd have a chicken for the crock pot. Home grown chickens are tough as hell once they get a little age on them, but I think the crock pot would tenderize it. Then there is the digital pressure cooker that would also tenderize an older chicken. I can see that little beast outside my office window right now, she's not in the garden, but she is out of the chicken yard.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
If there were one basic OTC med for high blood pressure, what would it be? I'm asking, because I think I'm developing high blood pressure, and I don't what to take prescription meds. It isn't too high, but it's running high consistantly. Around 138/88. It was 142/91 this morning. I'm already limiting my salt and processed food intake, because Cary has high BP, and has to watch what he eats, too. I don't handle stress well, and I think that's part of my problem. I hardly ever get a good night sleep.
 

WanderLore

Veteran Member
If there were one basic OTC med for high blood pressure, what would it be? I'm asking, because I think I'm developing high blood pressure, and I don't what to take prescription meds. It isn't too high, but it's running high consistantly. Around 138/88. It was 142/91 this morning. I'm already limiting my salt and processed food intake, because Cary has high BP, and has to watch what he eats, too. I don't handle stress well, and I think that's part of my problem. I hardly ever get a good night sleep.


Beet chews. Hubs swears by them. Walmart
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I've been reading up on lowering BP naturally. I'm taking Beet Root powder, not the expensive kind, I got this at walmart. I'm drinking lemon water and I've stopped having my one diet cola a day.

I've got Hibiscus tea but haven't used it yet. I'm drinking lemon water everyday now. I ordered a case of pickled beets from w/m.com and most of the cans were dented. I'll buy them in the store from now on. I didn't realize that DH likes pickled beets, so I need to buy more.

I've got some garlique and I need to start taking that. I'm trying to get more steps in. I wear compression stockings frequently and that seems to help.

And deep relaxing breathing will help.

No more chips and I guess I'll have to give up hot dogs, although I really don't normally eat a lot of them, when I eat a hot dog I like chips with it. That's the only time I eat chips anyway.

I sit in front of the computer too much and I'm sure that doesn't help.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I've been reading up on lowering BP naturally. I'm taking Beet Root powder, not the expensive kind, I got this at walmart. I'm drinking lemon water and I've stopped having my one diet cola a day.

I've got Hibiscus tea but haven't used it yet. I'm drinking lemon water everyday now. I ordered a case of pickled beets from w/m.com and most of the cans were dented. I'll buy them in the store from now on. I didn't realize that DH likes pickled beets, so I need to buy more.

I've got some garlique and I need to start taking that. I'm trying to get more steps in. I wear compression stockings frequently and that seems to help.

And deep relaxing breathing will help.

No more chips and I guess I'll have to give up hot dogs, although I really don't normally eat a lot of them, when I eat a hot dog I like chips with it. That's the only time I eat chips anyway.

I sit in front of the computer too much and I'm sure that doesn't help.

I've spent most of my morning reading up on natural ways to lower BP, too. Garlic is what I'm going to be concentrating on for the time being. I have garlic growing everywhere, so it's free, LOL! 1 clove of garlic a day seems to work for most people from what I've read. I just need to go out and dig some. If I start smelling like garlic, I'll back off a bit. I will also look into the "beet" angle. I hate beets, but I could handle a pill form of it. As far as the hibiscus tea, I'm not a tea drinker at all.

I'm also trying to lower my stress level. Staying away from certain topics on the forum helps. I've stopped watching the news in all forms for the time being, too. Taking more walks and working in the gardens. I'm trying to pace myself more, instead of trying to get everything done at once. Prioritizing things. Managing my pain level better, and just basically, spending more time on and for myself for awhile.
 

moldy

Veteran Member
Garden got hit with hail yesterday afternoon - I haven't even looked at it. We had a HUGE puddle at the north end of the garden (garden slopes south to north) that has just now gone. The garden is too sloppy to work in, so..... (after finally getting out of bed at noon!), I'm catching up on housework. I need to hit the local grocery for their produce paks (they look a little skimpy, but I expected that as the price hasn't changed), then load up the freeze dryer again. Another local grocery has 8 lbs of pitted sour cherries for $30 - and I can't buy them fresh for that. I'm thinking of scooping up what's left (they've been there for a couple months, so it's not like I'm taking from someone else) and freeze drying them (and canning the juice). I need to get caught up on laundry, and still repot some trees that are sitting in my mud room.

Guess I'd better get busy. 9 sessions of radiation done, 21 to go - you all will hear me whine and moan the whole way, you poor people! Met with oncologist yesterday - I've lost another couple pounds, but she thinks I can get thru it without a feeding tube. So far, that and the fatigue are the only bad effects.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Garden got hit with hail yesterday afternoon - I haven't even looked at it. We had a HUGE puddle at the north end of the garden (garden slopes south to north) that has just now gone. The garden is too sloppy to work in, so..... (after finally getting out of bed at noon!), I'm catching up on housework. I need to hit the local grocery for their produce paks (they look a little skimpy, but I expected that as the price hasn't changed), then load up the freeze dryer again. Another local grocery has 8 lbs of pitted sour cherries for $30 - and I can't buy them fresh for that. I'm thinking of scooping up what's left (they've been there for a couple months, so it's not like I'm taking from someone else) and freeze drying them (and canning the juice). I need to get caught up on laundry, and still repot some trees that are sitting in my mud room.

Guess I'd better get busy. 9 sessions of radiation done, 21 to go - you all will hear me whine and moan the whole way, you poor people! Met with oncologist yesterday - I've lost another couple pounds, but she thinks I can get thru it without a feeding tube. So far, that and the fatigue are the only bad effects.

I'm rooting for ya, moldy! :hugs:
 

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
If there were one basic OTC med for high blood pressure, what would it be? I'm asking, because I think I'm developing high blood pressure, and I don't what to take prescription meds. It isn't too high, but it's running high consistantly. Around 138/88. It was 142/91 this morning. I'm already limiting my salt and processed food intake, because Cary has high BP, and has to watch what he eats, too. I don't handle stress well, and I think that's part of my problem. I hardly ever get a good night sleep.
Just a FYI on salt and blood pressure. A SMALL percentage of people are sensitive to salt (sodium) and for them, limiting salt intake will help their bloop pressure numbers significantly. However, around 90% don't have that problem, and reducing salt intake won't affect their BP numbers at all.

Summerthyme
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Just a FYI on salt and blood pressure. A SMALL percentage of people are sensitive to salt (sodium) and for them, limiting salt intake will help their bloop pressure numbers significantly. However, around 90% don't have that problem, and reducing salt intake won't affect their BP numbers at all.

Summerthyme

Thanks, Summerthyme. Salt doesn't really affect Cary's BP at all. I don't use a lot, but that's just the way I was taught to cook. I'm trying to pay attention to see if mine is affected if any at all, too. I do notice that from time to time if I cook processed food a few days in a row, Cary's BP does increase a bit. I think it's more the chemicals in it than the salt. He eats salt on other foods, and it doesn't bother him.
 

paxsim2

Senior Member
I buy the Tazo Passion tea. It has hibiscus and orange in it as well. It tastes really good iced and sometimes I add some club soda for fizz but the soda has sodium in it.
Mowed this morning, dh used the new battery powered one between the gardens. It worked well.
His platelets fell under the critical stage but he's bored and wants to get things done. So he's installing the vent fan in the greenhouse and of course our usual helper gone. It's a pretty simple installation, I'll go out and help in a bit.
 
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SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Speaking of trying to keep my stress levels down......Cary went to mow the yard, and the mower won't start. It has a brand new battery, so he thinks it's the starter. Yard is so overgrown, and now, it's really going to be overgrown. He'll have to wait, til Monday, to try and get a new starter if one is available. It's a John Deere which is being affected by shortages! Snakes will have a good time, I'm sure!!!!!
 

etdeb

Veteran Member
Spending the day sorting all supplements, first aid supplies and such into smaller storage containers with lids. I spend too much time " looking" when i need something.
JUDY'S covid ordeal of being to sick to get to what she had stored that would help her was a wake up call for me. All the preps in the world are of no good if I can't lay hands on.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Spending the day sorting all supplements, first aid supplies and such into smaller storage containers with lids. I spend too much time " looking" when i need something.
JUDY'S covid ordeal of being to sick to get to what she had stored that would help her was a wake up call for me. All the preps in the world are of no good if I can't lay hands on.
Frankly my supplements were just across the living room, but I would have probably fallen on my face just taking those steps, in addition to I just wasn't interested in taking anything. I did drink a couple of bottles of water a day if DH could get them to me. And then I started drinking canned chicken broth from the store, I think in a way that helped.

I'm also working on counting and keeping seperate each kind. I've got a supply of 6 qt shoe boxes that I'm putting individual kinds in each. Usually they are all in a chest of drawers, like things together but the drawers are not labeled.

I've got a big mess in my office that needs to be organized. I really want it all to organized before I die, but then it won't make any difference. Its just that I would like for whomever goes through my stuff to not just toss any and everything. I looked pretty carefully through my mothers things and took what would be useful.
 

ioujc

MARANTHA!! Even so, come LORD JESUS!!!
Garden got hit with hail yesterday afternoon - I haven't even looked at it. We had a HUGE puddle at the north end of the garden (garden slopes south to north) that has just now gone. The garden is too sloppy to work in, so..... (after finally getting out of bed at noon!), I'm catching up on housework. I need to hit the local grocery for their produce paks (they look a little skimpy, but I expected that as the price hasn't changed), then load up the freeze dryer again. Another local grocery has 8 lbs of pitted sour cherries for $30 - and I can't buy them fresh for that. I'm thinking of scooping up what's left (they've been there for a couple months, so it's not like I'm taking from someone else) and freeze drying them (and canning the juice). I need to get caught up on laundry, and still repot some trees that are sitting in my mud room.

Guess I'd better get busy. 9 sessions of radiation done, 21 to go - you all will hear me whine and moan the whole way, you poor people! Met with oncologist yesterday - I've lost another couple pounds, but she thinks I can get thru it without a feeding tube. So far, that and the fatigue are the only bad effects.
Moldy....you AMAZE me!!!

You have NOT whined or cried about your radiation treatment that I would consider complaining!!

And you are a LIVE WIRE.....you are like the ENERGIZER BUNNY....you just keep on going!! You are an inspiration and someone I admire for their mental strength!!

Do you EVER stop or slow down??? Keep up the energy level and eat good...you are in my prayers!!
 

bluelady

Veteran Member
I have no idea where to find that, except on Amazon. We don't use Amazon, so can I find it elsewhere?
Besides what Moldy mentioned, you can get it in bulk from Azure Standard, or from the Mexican section at the grocery store where it may be called Flor de Jamaica. In tea bags there are several brands that you may be able to get at your grocery store; searching online I see Stash, Traditional Medicinals, Bigelow, and Luzianne.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank all of you so much for the info! I'm writing it all down to take with me next shopping trip. In the meantime, I'm going with the 1 clove of raw garlic/daily. I ate it, tonight, with my meal. Minced it up, and mixed it in. I cook with lots of garlic, so the taste wasn't too strong for me. I'll have to double up on the mouthwash, LOL!
 

ioujc

MARANTHA!! Even so, come LORD JESUS!!!
I took today OFF!!
I did NOTHING....and it was WONDERFUL!!

I find that this old body can only be pushed so far, and then it starts to rebel. Usually I require a "down day" about every 3 days.

Now, I need to go to Dollar Store about 8 miles away and buy a thermometer to help me regulate the temp for my. Baby Chicks. Also corn meal, as I ran out of chick feed. I have gallon jars of cornmeal in my big house, but I just don't want to go up there.....it is depressing. I am gradually moving all that stuff out here.....slowly but surely.

Also...... FANTASTIC NEWS!!!!
I am going to be able to fix the damage done by the DEMON that haunts me!!! I thought I would have to replace the entire electric cord to the RV, since she burned up the plugs to the electrical outlet. But I found out, just by chance..... looking through Amazon, that just the plug can be replaced. I have ordered it and it (hopefully) will arrive quickly! So, a savings of about a hundred bucks!! YEAH!!
 

Barry Natchitoches

Has No Life - Lives on TB
If there were one basic OTC med for high blood pressure, what would it be? I'm asking, because I think I'm developing high blood pressure, and I don't what to take prescription meds. It isn't too high, but it's running high consistantly. Around 138/88. It was 142/91 this morning. I'm already limiting my salt and processed food intake, because Cary has high BP, and has to watch what he eats, too. I don't handle stress well, and I think that's part of my problem. I hardly ever get a good night sleep.
Beetroot juice.

It is a very effective at lowering blood pressure, as it helps blood travel through even the smallest capalaries, bu widening blood vessels.

Most Marathon runners drink beetroot juice on race day and for several days before hand because it opens things up so much.
 

bev

Has No Life - Lives on TB
9 sessions of radiation done, 21 to go - you all will hear me whine and moan the whole way, you poor people! Met with oncologist yesterday - I've lost another couple pounds, but she thinks I can get thru it without a feeding tube. So far, that and the fatigue are the only bad effects.

Well, Moldy, looks like I’m late to the party, again! I had no idea you were going through cancer treatment. I hope your radiation treatments are effective and that you are finished now. You’ll be in my prayers.
 
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