Saturday, July 30, 2011

THRIVE Powdered Cheese Blend

The THRIVE Macaroni & Cheese powder was recently discontinued. I heard lots of people say that everyone just liked the Cheese Blend so much better anyway. 
So, I thought I better try it out.

I admit, I am kind of a Mac & Cheese snob. I only buy the name brand! 

Then, I saw the recipe for Macaroni & Cheese in the new THRIVE cookbook, and thought maybe I should try it. My family likes macaroni, so should we ever fall into an emergency situation, it would be nice to still have that on our menu. The boxes are great, but you can only stock so many of those with the short expiration date.

THRIVE on the other hand, has a superb shelf-life! So, I can store macaroni for years, and cheese blend for years, 15 actually. But does it taste any good?

I decided to open a small can of powdered cheese blend and sprinkle it on the kids popcorn like I had heard others do. They loved it! 
Test 1-Pass.

Last night I actually mixed some up with hot water to make a cheese sauce for broccoli. I thought it was pretty good! 
Test 2-Pass.

This is my next test... making macaroni & cheese... 
Stay tuned for the results of this recipe!
I'm still working myself up to it! :)

Monday, July 25, 2011

Costco Sale - 1-year Supply for 4

As a consultant, I can always beat Costco's price. They carry a 1-year, 4 person Supply Freeze-dried and Dehydrated food for $3499.99 but it's on sale this week. And you can take advantage of it. This same package is on sale through consultants for $2848.99! So, the savings are pretty impressive!  

Not to mention, anyone who orders this package will receive $285 in free products as a bonus from me! The free product is not an offer from Shelf Reliance, that's an offer from me personally.

If you do the math, this comes out to less than $240/month for a family of 4! This includes 336 cans OR 56 cases! It's a basic package, which means it provides 1,200 calories/person/day. So, if you know you or your family will need more than that, the $285 in free products can help add to it. 


Last time they did a package like this on sale it sold out pretty fast. 
So, if you are interested, let me know!

One Year, 4 Person Freeze Dried and Dehydrated Food Package Contents

Grains
  • 6 Six Grain Pancake Mix
  • 6 Germade
  • 6 Quick Oats
  • 6 Nine Grain Cracked Cereal
  • 36 Hard White Winter Wheat
  • 6 White flour
  • 9 Whole Wheat Flour
  • 6 Cornmeal
  • 6 Elbow Macaroni
  • 18 Instant Rice
  • 8 White Rice
Proteins & Beans
  • 3 Taco (TVP)
  • 6 Bacon (TVP)
  • 6 Beef (TVP)
  • 3 Sausage (TVP)
  • 3 Sloppy Joe (TVP)
  • 6 Chicken (TVP)
  • 3 Ham (TVP)
  • 6 Lentils
  • 6 Pearled Barley
  • 12 Black Beans
  • 6 Kidney Beans
  • 14 Pinto Beans
  • 6 Whole Egg Powder
Dairy
  • 6 Chocolate Drink Mix
  • 24 Powdered Milk
  • 6 Mac & Cheese Powder
Fruit
  • 2 Pineapple – FD
  • 4 Raspberries – FD
  • 1 Blackberries – FD
  • 1 Blueberries – FD
  • 4 Sliced Apples
  • 6 Strawberries – FD
  • 4 Apple Chips
  • 2 Banana Chips
Vegetables
  • 16 Potato Chunks
  • 6 Sweet Corn – FD
  • 2 Broccoli – FD
  • 2 Carrot Dices
  • 6 Green Peas – FD
  • 3 Split Green Peas
  • 2 Onions Chopped – FD
  • 2 Onions Chopped
  • 4 Sweet Potato
  • 6 Mixed Bell Peppers
Basics
  • 6 Orange Drink
  • 4 Peach Drink
  • 6 Apple Drink
  • 2 Bouillon Beef
  • 2 Bouillon Chicken
  • 1 Baking Powder
  • 1 Iodized Salt
  • 2 Brown Sugar
  • 4 White Sugar
Dessert
  • 6 Fudge Brownies

Cinnamon Roll Recipe Review

Cinnamon Rolls

I have been wanting to make my own cinnamon rolls for a long time. It's just so easy to buy them already made, but as usual, I read the ingredients and "nutrition" facts and wonder why I let my family eat them. They just taste so good! So, I wanted to make some myself that tasted good but didn't make me feel so guilty for eating!

So, I got out my new THRIVE cookbook and saw the recipe for cinnamon rolls that included fruit. Sounded like a winner to me. My daughter and I got our aprons on and got to work making Sunday dinner, er, Cinnamon Rolls! :)

Well, my yeast was old, so they didn't rise quite as much as they should have, and I think I didn't add enough flour because the dough was still pretty sticky... but we forged ahead. We used raspberries, and though my "rolls" looked more like giant cookies, they tasted great!

I tried so hard to stick to the recipe, but as usual ended up cutting down the butter and sugar that you layer on and they still tasted great! 

I give this one a thumbs up!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Recipe Review - Sort of

I thought I would start out with an easy recipe. 
Blueberry muffins with streusel topping.


Easy enough. 

Except that I just polished off my open can of blueberries and vowed not to open any more cans of fruit until we had finished the oranges, and pineapple, and peaches, and you get the idea. 

So, my daughter agreed that strawberry muffins sounded just as good. My changes made below in bold.

I thought they tasted great. I reduced the sugar some, and think I could have reduced it even more! I know these are healthier than package mixes and this recipe could be easily adjusted to make all different kinds of muffins! All in all, I give it a thumbs up, even if I didn't exactly follow the directions! :)

Muffin Ingredients

  • 3 c thrive freeze dried blueberries strawberries
  • 1/2 c butter powder
  • 1 1/4 c thrive white sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons thrive whole eggs, prepared powder
  • 2 c thrive white flour 50/50 with whole wheat flour
  • 2 t thrive baking powder
  • 1⁄2 t thrive iodized salt
  • 1⁄2 c thrive powdered milk, reconstituted powder
  • 1 t. vanilla
  • 1 c water (approx.)

Streusel Ingredients

  • 1/4 c butter powder
  • 1/2 1/3 c thrive white sugar
  • 1/2 c Oatmeal
  • 1/3 1/4 c thrive white flour  whole wheat flour
  • 1/4 c water (approx.)

Instructions

* Place the FRUIT in a bowl and pour hot tap water over them to barely cover. Leave to sit for 10 minutes or until reconstituted, stirring occasionally, and then drain the water.
* While FRUIT are rehydrating, add butter POWDER , MILK POWDER, EGG POWDER and white sugar to a mixing bowl. ADD 1/2 C. WATER AND VANILLA. Cream together until smooth.
* Combine 2 c flour, baking powder, and salt, then stir into creamed mixture. ADD REMAINING WATER TILL GOOD MUFFIN CONSISTENCY. Fold in drained FRUIT.
* Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. In a small bowl, combine sugar, OATMEAL, BUTTER POWDER and flour. ADD ENOUGH WATER TO MOISTEN until crumbly. Sprinkle over muffins.
* Bake muffins at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve muffins warm.
Yields 18 muffins

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Hard Red Wheat, Oat Groats and Spelt

Introducing Hard Red Wheat, Oat Groats and Spelt!
(Don't worry, I had to look up Oat Groats, too!)

Click for original image

AND


Click for original image

Pricing and availability soon!

Bigger is better


I frequently get asked if a #10 can is the largest size Shelf Reliance carries. 
Until today I would say, "yep, that's it. " 
Well, they are adding about 12 items in bucket size! 
I hope to have the details by the end of the week. 

They will be available for pre-order to those on the Q immediately, and all others starting August 1st.
The price per serving was better for a #10 than a pantry can. So I hope it's even better for the bucket size. Maybe bigger is better?


AND they are about to launch some totally new products! :)
Stay tuned for more information...

Monday, July 18, 2011

THRIVE Cookbook

I see lots of blogger do posts by theme for each day of the week. I just recently got a copy of the new THRIVE cookbook. I'm planning to try out lots of the recipes and thought I would share them with you! 
So, should we say...
Make it Monday?
Tell you on Tuesday?
Wednesday's Wonder dish?
Try it Thursday?

None of the above? :)


Regardless of a cheesy blog theme... this book is full out lots of great things. If you've hesitate to try any THRIVE food cause you don't think you'll know how to use them, you're in luck! 

Along with wonderful THRIVE recipes, you'll also find:
  •  Creative tips on how to use THRIVE
  • A helpful THRIVE and fresh equivalents chart
  • Kitchen tips from television network star, Kelsey Nixon
  • A detailed index categorized by THRIVE foods
And I LOVE that it's spiral bound inside, so it lays flat while you're busy cooking away!
 Still at the introductory price of $14.95.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The Q Club Gift

It's always exciting when the kids see the FedEx man pull into our driveway. Since I signed up for the Q Club last fall, I know that once a month I can look forward to a fun delivery. It's like Christmas to the kids! They love finding out what's inside the box each time.

One of the perks to being a Platinum member of the Q-Club is the Q-pons I have mentioned before. Another is the occasional gifts they include with your monthly shipment. Well, looks like July is gift month! Not only did I get some good food I was planning on but a surprise gift!


Want to know what's inside? It's not too late to sign up and get a gift yourself!

Joining the Q is super easy. 
And being a Platinum member is actually free if you set your budget at $100 or more. Another way to get these perks for free is to sign up with a friend at any budget amount.

Monday, July 11, 2011

What's in a name?

Shelf Reliance was pretty clever with the name they chose for their food line, THRIVE

Why just survive when you can thrive?

See, catchy!

Sometimes my stylish Shelf Reliance consultant apron isn't the best outfit to be wearing at demos. 

I recently saw an ad for a free T-shirt and thought that would be a nice thing to tide me over until I can get something nicer. So, with limited options, I picked the image I thought would best represent why I chose to be a consultant for Shelf Reliance.


Not that I care a whole lot for purple, but the image just seemed like a happy flower and butterfly getting along, thriving, if you will. So, add the THRIVE tag, and voila, a temp shirt to show off the company I consult for. Not bad for $4 shipping, because nothing is really free.

There you have it. Another reason I enjoy being a consultant for Shelf Reliance. My family will THRIVE no matter what may come our way. Be it job loss, natural disaster, etc. we can fall back on our food supply and not have to worry where the next meal will come from. 

Are you prepared to thrive?

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Taco TVP - July Special

Taco TV-what?


Textured Vegetable Protien

Soy
 ------------------------------
You can use it in tacos, soups, layer dips, burritos, casseroles, etc.
At most of my demonstrations I make little nachos using Taco TVP, Freeze dried Corn, Freeze Dried Cheese and Sour Cream Powder in a Tostios scoop chip. 
Taco TVP for nachos is as easy as put it in a pan with water and simmer till all the water is gone!



People are always amazed at how good it tastes! I don't tell them it's TVP until they have had a bite. And they always want a second one after they find out what it is. Almost like they can't believe it! It's great fun!

Lots of people, however, have never heard of TVP. So I always have to explain it to them. Maybe you are unfamiliar with TVP too.

Because I couldn't put it better myself...
From Shelf Reliance University:
TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein) is an excellent protein source that is easy to store and use. TVP is made from soy flour where the soy oil has been extracted. It is cooked under pressure and then extruded and dried. Not only is TVP high in protein, but its also high in fiber and low in fat. This makes TVP ideal for food storage and also for every day use. Because TVP is not made from meat, it does not have the contamination risk that many meats have with bacteria such as E. Coli and Salmonella. Because it is soy based, it is perfect for those on a vegetarian diet. 
TVP is also very convenient for camping as it weighs very little and can be quickly rehydrated or added to dishes. It also makes a great quick dinner as you can make sloppy joes or tacos in under 15 minutes for much less than the cost of ground beef and with more nutrition. TVP is a very economical choice that provides the protein of meat without the fat or the mess that cooking and browning can create.
Taco TVP
#10 Can - Party $14.39
#10 Can - July Q-pon $11.89
Case (6 #10 cans) - $66.73

Contact me anytime to place an order!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Mixed Bell Peppers

Click here to go to the July 4th sale flyer.

Bell Peppers.

You buy them for something. 
Cut and use half of it and put the other half back in the fridge for later. 

"Later" never comes and the pepper goes in the trash!

More money & food wasted...

Until, you discovered these! Mixed bell peppers, washed, chopped, ready to go!
Use them in sauces, soups, casseroles, meat, etc.
It doesn't get easier than this.

Say goodbye to wasted bell peppers!

Buy them before the 5th to get the great sale price of $13.29 for a #10 can!