Emergency Food: Make Your Own Onion Powder

Getting back to our Emergency Preparedness series with a new mini series on Emergency Food. One of my goals this year is to become more frugal by learning some new homesteading and gardening skills. While most people would think this would mean spending lots of time gardening I actually plan on learning things now in the kitchen. I am thinking more along the lines of learning to dehydrate foods, grow foods in the kitchen and learning basic canning skills. These are not things that have to be classified under “prepper” skills. I am thinking more on the sustainable, frugal homesteading side. Don’t think I’m a doomsday prepper just a frugal mama who wants to stretch my hubby’s paycheck!

A friend of mine last year mentioned she never buys garlic powder or onion flakes. I asked how did shedo that. (I use garlic salt on a daily basis). She hydrates onions, mushrooms, and garlic. Then she oven cans them to preserve them longer. She doesn’t grow them but gets them on clearance. I want to learn how to grow garlic and onion this year as well.

I have been throwing out a lots of onions the last year or so due to spoilage. I am not sure what is happening on the grocery stores end, but onions do not seem to be as fresh as they used to be. This really frustrates me and I vow to do better at cutting up the onions for breakfast or dehydrating them for seasoning.

Here’s the simple steps I did:

1. Peel and slice the onion.

2. Lay out on dehydrator.

3. Check and rotate the trays.

4. Once dry let cool.

5. Put into food processor and buzz. A short time makes flakes and longer time makes powder. Coffee grinders (specifically reserved for herbs and spices) are great at pulverizing things to powder.

6. Pour powder into spice jar or airtight container or small canning jars. Just depends on how many onions you’ve dehydrated. (I have a small old aka slow dehydrator and would have to run it for days to get enough onions for canning.)

7. Enjoy your “new” seasoning on roasts, in soups, or on your next burger.

Have you created your own mix or seasoning? Got a recipe to share. Please leave a comment and link to your post or recipe!

Binoculars: Which Ones are for You?

We have bought a variety of binoculars for a variety of price points from $5 on up. Some were purchased at the store, a few were gifted, and one pair was a great bargain found at a garage sale. If you do not own a pair and money isn’t available, then ask around to see if a family member or friend has a spare pair to borrow. If you can spend some money then think of the size and weight that you want. Will you be staying home to bird watch or will you be heading outdoors? Do you want to see birds that are farther than a couple of hundred feet away? It is important to answer these questions before you spend money. Once you answer those questions then you can begin your search to purchase a pair of binoculars.

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 Creature Feature: Saw-Whet Owl

Creature Feature will be our new monthly nature post series showcasing our learning adventures at our local nature center.  My two oldest children, Eldest and Princess, will take turns doing the main post as well as related educational posts. This month Eldest is the main author and Princess will be adding a post about free Owl Resources, great for Unit Study or to learn more. Now turning this post over to my kids!

Yesterday we went to Brukner Nature Center for a program. The program was called Creature Feature and is once a month. This month’s animal was the Saw-whet owl. I have been to a couple owl programs before but never have seen a Saw-whet owl.

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