On my way down from Canada to California, I stopped in to the Shelf Reliance product showcase building, in American Fork, Utah.   I picked up some freeze dried ice cream sandwiches.

They look just like them, being freeze dried, they are crunchy, but tasty!  I also taste sampled some double chocolate chip ice cream bars!  No dipped chocolate on the outside, but a great taste!

I got some shredded cheddar cheese! Yummy!

Now, I realize, if you live in Canada, and order Thrive you can’t get these yet, unless you drive down and bring back with you over the border.  There is a limit of cheese/dairy you can bring back, but it helps when you have more than 1 person in the car with you!

I decided to stop in again on our way back from California, as before my family was anxious to get to Disneyland, and not have mom shop.  I picked up more variety of cheeses, Colby, Monterey Jack, and more ice cream treats, soup mixes, as well as other vegetables, I was missing.  If you live in the US, you can order from me, and get all this variety!

I can’t wait to try! I will be hosting another open house near the end of the month, and if you are lucky…I’m going to crack open a can of ice cream sandwiches to share!  I’m trying to do too many things at once right now, to post recipes, but I will be doing more later on!

Check out Nicole’s page, of her reaction of Thrive!  Thanks Nicole!

http://frugalitymama.blogspot.ca/2012/04/thrive-foods-and-importance-of-food.html

This is what I have left, from my big pot of soup, as I had a bowl for lunch today too!

Pot of water, fairly full.

Added enough chicken bouillon to taste, and added pepper.  I also had a vegetable bouillon on hand that I added one cube (it had some hidden flakes of greenery in it)

A handful of freeze-dried Thrive onions

around 1/2 cup of  Thrive carrots

1/2 cup of Thrive celery

handful of Thrive barley

a tbsp butter

several handfuls of Thrive egg noodles

and about 1 cup of Thrive Seasoned White Meat (chicken) (which is already cooked) broken up slightly.

I had it boil and simmer for about 45 minutes, I left it alone and went off to piano lessons

The soup cooked up nicely, and the egg noodles, become a lot more wider, as they cooked, and the soup was thick.  My husband, complimented that it was very good….he’s not much of a soup lover, but he had 2 big bowls!

Vegetables and Fruit, what it says on the outside matches what it says in the inside. , if its broccoli, the ingredients listed are: Broccoli.  Carrots:  carrots, Cauliflower: cauliflower  Celery:  celery.   Onions: white onions.  Seems like vegetables are pretty straight foreward.   Blueberries: Blueberries.  Drink Mixes: Melon Berry Burst:

Sugar, Watermelon Powder, Strawberry Powder, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Natural Flavor, fruit and vegetable juice for color.

Dairy line:  Blueberry Yogurt Bites: INGREDIENTS: SUGAR, SKIM MILK YOGURT, BLUEBERRY JUICE CONCENTRATE, YOGURT POWDER, STARCH (TAPIOCA), FLAVOR. *CONTAINS: MILK

Pomegrante Yogurt Bites:  SUGAR, SKIM MILK YOGURT, POMEGRANATE JUICE CONCENTRATE, YOGURT POWDER, STARCH (TAPIOCA), BLACK CARROT JUICE CONCENTRATE, AND NATURAL FLAVOR. *CONTAINS: MILK.

Chocolate Drink Mix:

Sugar, whey, non-fat non instant milk, non dairy creamer (coconut oil and/or soya oil, corn syrup solids, sodium caseinate, dipotassium phosphate, mono and diglycerides, soy lecithin), cocoa (processed with alkali), guar and xanthan gums, salt, vitamins A/D blend (Vitamin A Palminate, malodextrin, vitamin D3),

6 Grain Pancake Mix:  Cake flour (bleached wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), whole wheat flour, sugar, high gluten unbleached flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), soy flour, soybean oil, malted barley flour, dextrose, buttermilk powder, instant milk (sweet whey, creamer [coconut oil, corn syrup solids, sodium caseinate {a milk derivative}), dipotassium phosphate, sugar, mono and diglycerides, polysorbate 80, sodium silicoaluminate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, soy lecithin], nonfat milk, sugar, guar gum, Vitamin A, Vitamin D), 6 grain (red wheat flakes, white wheat flakes, barley flakes, rye flakes, rolled oats, sunflower seeds), brown sugar, sodium acid pyrophosphate, regular monocalcium phosphate, salt, whole eggs (whole eggs, sodium silicoaluminate [as an anticaking agent]), baking soda, baking powder.

9 Grain Cereal:  Hard red wheat, hard white wheat, barley, rye, oats, corn, millet, hulled buckwheat, and flax seed.

Corn Meal:  Yellow dent corn.

Egg Noodle Pasta: Durum wheat semolina, durum wheat flour (enriched with iron [ferrous sulfate] and B vitamins [niacin, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid]), eggs.

Elbow Macaroni: Durum wheat semolina, (enriched with iron {ferrous sulfate} and B vitamins {niacin, thiamin monitrate, riboflavin, folic acid}).

Germade Wheat Cereal: Hard red winter wheat, hard red spring wheat.

Hard Winter White Wheat:  Low moisture, high protein, white wheat.

Hard Red Wheat: hard red wheat

Instant White Rice Rice: enriched with niacin, ferric orthophosphate (iron), thiamin mononitrate (thiamin), and folic acid.

Do you know what you are eating?? You may want to check out the ingredients of  Thrive

http://tv.naturalnews.com/v.asp?v=7EC06D27B1A945BE85E7DA8483025962

Who said food storage was just for Mormons?

I have to admit, I hadn’t heard of food storage until I met my now fiancé, Michael. Raised in a Mormon family, he was taught to make sure that food storage was part of his home, and his life. Living on his own, as a bachelor, his panty was filled with very little on the everyday stuff, but had a few shelves full of Mylar packaging that held rice, grains, and a few tins that held other long lasting products as well. Food storage has been around for years, and there are canning centers setup in LDS social services buildings, around most cities. As you can probably tell, I am not a Mormon and most of my information I have learned over the years of being surrounded by Mormon families, and Mormon friends in the community. I don’t need to read The Book of Mormon to find out how important food storage is (although I have opened the book from time to time on my own as it is a religion I am around often) and why a family should make sure they have a 72 Hour Kit, as well as a two year supply of different types of food (ideally).

My question is why is it that the majority of Mormons are the only ones to be focusing part of their budget on this absolutely crucial survival tool?

In late October of 2011, residents of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts were without electricity for over seven days, due to a snowstorm along the East Coast of the USA, which caused over two million power outages. In Connecticut and Western Massachusetts alone, there are roughly 25000 Mormons. In both of these places total, there are 4408900 people total. That leaves 4383900 people who may or may not have any knowledge to the idea food storage, and let’s give 383900 people the benefit of the doubt and say they do their own food storage. That’s still 4000000 with no means of survival should there be a disaster worse than no electricity for seven days.

Now, let’s move away from the focus being on the religious aspect of food storage. Why is it good? I bet I could get my five year old to at least come up with a few answers for this one, but I’ll save you all the hassle of trying to decipher her typing. In case of a natural disaster forcing you to keep yourself locked in your home for days, you have a limited supply that goes further than what is in your fridge. (This, by the way, will perish after the Best Before date.) What about income loss, and inability to provide the essential meals to your family of four?

No one wants to think about worst case scenario, but as a mother of two, almost three, I have been the single mother who worked pitiful jobs to make ends meet so my children could be cared for at least with basic needs. We are lucky in Canada that basic needs are far more than those in third world countries, but no one wants to be the mother taking their kids out for a walk in those rubber boots that are just a bit too small, or the mother who hears, “rice and beans again?”.

Food storage has come a long way, and is absolutely the best way to ensure you are prepared (along with your 72 hour kit) for any sort of financial/environmental disaster.

I was recently approached by my soon to be sister in law who mentioned she had a friend who was interested in doing a get together for us to show us all about how we can make food storage easy. We all know about these get-togethers. You go to a house, they show you their product and try and convince you to buy it. “Oh please, buy this candle. It will make your home smell like Vanilla Rainforest.” What does that even smell like? Or, “Please, spend 100 on this jewelry. It will make you glow when you go out for your date night.” Now, don’t get me wrong, I indulge in this luxurious spending from time to time. My wardrobe is filled with hoodies from I won’t say where, and my underwear drawer is filled with “must have” bras from cannot say who. When I was approached, I was hesitant to attend, but really had, had my interest peaked when I’d never heard of the company, and never heard of anyone else before talk about it.

So, there we were. I spent 3 hours at her house, mingling with family and learning and tasting about the types of food you can store with the absolutely incredible way they store the food. May I add, it is not dehydrated, it is freeze dried. Which means NO nutritional value is lost! I tasted Pineapple, Apples, Spinach (did I mention we made a smoothie, added the spinach and had no idea it was in there except for the fact that, well, we made it?) and, my favorite, the Pomegranate Yogurt drops. I joked that I would be buying those but not including them in my food storage. (They thought I was joking, anyways.) We made Black Bean and Soy (tasted like hamburger) soup. The instant black beans took 5 mins to cook, not 6 hours. The soup tasted like something my mother in law would serve at a delicious lunch prepared for us. My daughter could not keep her hands off the cans, and wanted samples of all of the food we would allow.

So, with that all being said, how do we do it? Gone are the days of doing your own canning. This is still a perfectly acceptable means to maintaining or beginning your food storage adventure, but time consuming.

I have joined with a company that offers a different, more efficient, cost effective way to protect your family. You are promised value, nutrition, variety and good food. After all, you will be cycling through what you buy, so why not take the few minutes it will take to find out how you and your family are safe in the event of a crisis? And who says all of your purchases for food storage need to be put away for the two years? Seriously, those yogurt bites are heaven. If you don’t believe me, let me show you.     Stephanie Kelly

Thanks Stephanie, for your passion! Most of what Thrive offers is freeze-dried, but there is also some that is dehydrated.  If you are interested in purchasing Thrive, you don’t need a home party from me, it can be bought directly through the website from me, if you live in the US, or in Canada. I would be willing to answer any questions you may have.     Don’t live in this countries? Shelf Reliance is relatively new, and is working towards entering other countries as well! It’s also a great time to become a consultant, as it’s so very new, and not too many people have heard of it.  I want the food, I buy the food, and because I do sell it, I do earn commission off the sales, which saves me money, and we all need to eat!  But…it you want jewelry…I could sell that to you too!

5% of all THRIVE profits are donated to the Shelf Reliance charity, Thriving Nations. Through this charity they provide food and support to hungered nations and help them learn how to be self-reliant in their own crop and food production, helping them to become more self-reliant!

Home Parties were introduced just in 2009 in the US, and December 1, 2011 in Canada.  It’s a way, that people can taste the food, and be educated on the importance of becoming more self-reliant, as most know the government isn’t going to help you, 100%.

On the side note, if you like to know why for 75 years, the idea of self-reliance and many aspects of this, has been promoted and  amongst  “mormons”  or members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints, check out www.providentliving.org

Off to have some of those yogurt bites….orange, cherry, blueberry, passionfruit… melt in my mouth, as my can is open!

Christina

Well, I have to admit, I have slipped a lot in practising this concept that I preach.  Perhaps, due to the fact of three factors 1) The cost of gas! I like to find the better station that offers the potential of the .5 cents off a liter   2)  Time.  I drive an average of about 50-80 km a day, and I would be filling up the tank every 2 days.  Now, I stretch it out to every 4-5 days, as I normally go through a 75L tank of gas, in less than a week..which translates to $65-$70.   3) I can’t see my fuel gauge.  It must be due to my height, and hand positions, I can’t see it most of the time.

Yesterday, I held 2 thrive parties, one at lunch and one in the evening. Ran around to pick up, and drop off children, appointments, and book club.     I was the last car to leave book club around 11:30 pm, and with my friend, who was way in front of me, but as soon as I got into my car and out onto the road (and she drove away), I realized, that my gas empty light was on.     I have NEVER seen my gas empty on, but it was blaring at me! Oh yes…I recalled I saw it at 1/4 mark earlier today.  In my head, I was trying to recall how much extra fuel I still had left.  The light couldn’t had been left on for very long, I should be able to get home, but I knew every drop would count, and I couldn’t go back as I wouldn’t get home.  Although, then I remember, I’m out in the country roads, and I have a while to go on a 2 lane road before I can get even on the highway.  My quick calculation, I would be lucky if I got out of the country area.   I would proceed ahead, rather than turn back and get stuck in between. Oh Boy! I tried to use as little gas as I rolled up and over the dark pitch black roads, and seeing a skunk roll run across the road, and being grateful, I didn’t run over it.   “thought”  if only I knew my friends number, I could call her, if she had her phone on, or would I get okay reception.  Then again..did I even have my phone with me, I don’t hardly use it, and did it have any battery life on it?

As I approached the last Stop Sign to turn onto the divided highway, my speed was declining, and I lost the ability to even move the car.  I turned the corner, and my van DIED, in the merge lane!!   The good thing, I had my charged phone with me, and my husband was home from travelling just a few hours earlier (and even if he was sleeping) he could come and help me.   A few seconds, of nerves hit, as I dialed my phone #.   No answer.  Lucky to have a fully charged phone, and good reception, I called again, and stated my case to my better half.   I also have CAA (automobile association) that can come rescue, but it could be a long wait, I would phone a friend first, then CAA, if I really had too.

I was about 20 minutes away from home, but at least on a safer highway, and I could see the city lights.  I do have a sense of humor! All around me, my front seat, and my two back seats were loaded with Thrive food from shelf reliance, and almost all of it was open, meaning I didn’t need a can opener, and as I left book club, I kept my tiny bottle of water.   Hehe…I had at least 4 months of food to help just 1 person, in a stranded car, but I would be very thirsty!  Don’t forget to store water, when you have freeze-dried food!

I saw a mouse, and some creature bigger than a rabbit, scurrying to get into the fields.    While I waited, and it was an extremely windy night, 60 km/hr winds, I thought to myself again.  “If I had to go walk, it would be hard to stand up right, and it would be very cold because of the wind. It would not be smart.  Remember stay put”.  Tonight, I had put on an extra fleece jacket under my coat, and I had my warm boots on.  The thought crossed my mind, that I probably could find a hat, and a few other articles in my car, if I really had to…as the car had not been clean out for sometime.  I turned off the car, and set the blinkers on.

I reflected on lessons I’ve learned if you were stranded in the car.

The 3 secs/3 min/3 hour/3 day.

It was good to know help was on its way, no children with me to worry about.  I would be fine, and then as a back up, I called a friend to inform her, and I laughed, at the predicament I put myself in, she didn’t think it was funny at first.

When my husband came, he commented that the gas he would have gone too, was out-of-order, and so he had to search out another station.

Awe, thank goodness for a cell phone that was charged, a sleepy willing husband to come to the rescue, and another gas station that had gas for me to fill up full.

And Dear Carolyne, I now need a plastic plague to hang on my dashboard!

The corn chowder, the corn bread, the S’mores Fudge Brownies, and the Blueberry Peach Cobbler, I made all in one night!   Here is the recipe for the blueberry peach cobbler, from the Thrive Cookbook.

In a medium size bowl, I measured out my freeze-dried blueberries and peaches.  I made up the Thrive Peach Drink Mix with 1 cup of warm water, and put the 1 cup of peach drink, with the blueberries and peaches to reconstituted, about 10-15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350F

Mix together the butter, and half the amount of white sugar.  I didn’t have any zest to add, but it would of made it had some fresh zing! So, I went ahead and added the eggs and vanilla extract.

I put all the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt) in a bowl, quickly mixed up and then added to the butter/sugar mixture, stirring to mix it in.

Spread half of the butter on the bottom of a greased 8x8x2 inch baking dish.

Top the batter in the pan with the rehydrated peaches and blueberries, along with about 1/2 of the hydrated liquid.  I used a slotted spoon, to drain the liquid.

Carefully spread the remaining batter over the top of the peaches.

Ingredients Needed:

Blueberry Peach Cobbler

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup of white sugar

zest of lemon

2 eggs

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup peach slices

1 cup blueberries

1 cup of Thrive Peach Drink, prepared

1/2 tsp cinnamon

If you live in United States or in Canada, you can order “Thrive” from my website, all prices are in US dollars. Read my story, why I think it’s important to have long-lasting food in your home!

Enjoy! Christina

Do I have your mouth-watering?  ..Stay tuned for another “Thrive” recipe from Shelf reliance!

Butter

Graham Cracker Crumbs

Thrive Fudge Brownie Mix (all you do is add water) and (for this recipe add 1 egg)

Mini Marshmallows

This was my first attempt even trying the fudge brownies, and my first attempt with this recipe, without much guidelines.  It was a tasty treat.  One of the participants that I will not name, because she claims she doesn’t like chocolate, had several helpings of this dessert, and kept telling me not to look, each time she was digging out more to eat!  The knife was all gooey, and her friend, joked that she should of just tried licking the knife!

How it was made.  I didn’t even measure, but put about 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs, with about 1/2 cup of melted butter.  I mixed this up, and pressed into a springform pan. (the kind of pan that is great for making cheesecakes in).

Then I mixed up the directions for the brownies…On the can, 1 cup of water, to 3 cup of brownie mix.   I added in 1 egg, and mixed for 1 minute.    I pour the mixture on top of the graham crackers, and baked according to the directions.  It took a little longer (my oven is like that),  Once done, pour a whole bunch of mini marshmallows on top, and broiled them just for a few minutes (just like you want to do over a campfire, to get the brown toasty look).

Viola! All done, and without a mess, of getting and measuring all the ingredients to make the brownies!  Hmmm…I’m starting to feel like Mary Poppins, with the snap of my fingers, the preparation work has disappeared!

Once ready to serve, pop open the springform pan and cut into wedges!

Thank you, “Thrive” you have made my life a lot more simple.

Christina

Homemade Corn Bread  -recipe from Thrive Cookbook

Preheat oven to 325F

In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup melted butter, and 1 cup of sugar.

2 eggs, and 1 cup of milk with 1 TBSP of lemon juice, to make a mock version of buttermilk.

Combine Dry Ingredients(1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 cup Thrive cornmeal, 1 cup flower, 1/2 tsp salt)  in a separate bowl, mix thoroughly; add to the wet ingredients.  Stir until combined, but do not over-mix.

Pour batter into a greased muffin pan or 8×8 inch baking dish.  Bake for 20-30 minuts, or until inserted toothpick comes clean.

You can get thrive products, such as white sugar, whole eggs, powdermilk, baking soda, white flour and salt.

Now time to get out the fresh honey, and enjoy!  Christina 

Stay tuned, and I’ll post the other recipes, that I made! 
Thrive can be ordered from me, if you live in the US or in Canada.  If you’re interested in buying and saving money off for yourself, please ask me how!

Christina

Independent Consultant for Thrive