Have a peek at the life of a farmer's visually impaired wife and learn a little about self-sufficiency and saving a few bucks in the process. Let's face it, the economy is challenging all of us to be frugal, so we need to help one another as much as we can.
It's been a few days since I posted anything in the "Make Your Own Seasoning Blends" series, so here's #6 - Fajita Seasoning
A white plate holding a partially folded fajita.
I think it was this fajita seasoning that planted the idea in my noggin for a "Make Your Own Seasoning Blends" series. As with all the other blends, it's easy as could be. I even stored my fajita mix in a tiny mason jar and vacuum sealed the lid to keep it fresh for ages. Here's what it takes:
1 Tablespoon Each of:
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Paprika
Cumin
Chili Powder
Oregano
Cilantro
I only have plans to do one more seasoning blend, so if you have any requests, please send 'em my way and I'll be more than happy to oblige.
Poster drawing of a Rosie The Riveter character flexing her right bicep with the words "Buy in Bulk! We Can Do It!"
One of the ways I save money is by purchasing certain dry food items in bulk and then repackaging them with a vacuum sealer and vacuum sealer bags. You could use zipper seal bags, but they aren't going to be as effective in the long run since they do let air/moisture in over time. (Yes, even if you suck all the air out with a straw.) In my video, I happen to be repackaging rice, but there are a lot of foods that can be stored this way such as beans, flour, sugar, salt, oats and barley, just to name a few. There are also foods that don't store very well for long periods. These would be food items that have oil/butter/fat in them whether occurring naturally or as an additive. Some examples of this would be nuts, powdered cheese or pizza dough mix. You can still buy them in bulk, but unless you're going to finish it all within 6-8 months, don't bother with it as after that, it can and will eventually go rancid. Blech!
If you're going to vacuum seal powdery substances like flour, it would behoove you to first put the flour, etc.. in a brown paper lunch bag, then into the vacuum bag to be sealed. The benefits of using a lunch bag are: #1. It keeps the flour from being sucked into your vacuum sealer and ruining your machine; #2. Using a paper bag helps keep a uniformed shape to your finished package which makes it easier to stack/store in your panty; #3. Paper bags also block light from your food which helps it to last even longer.
