Busy, busy, and cooking

It's been such a long time since I blogged, so I thought I would update just a tad. The economy is bad and it has certainly affected our family. We are right in the middle of it all. I'm trying to do the best that I can to save us money where we can. Oh, I loved my deal I got last month where I bought 14 boxes of Kellogg's cereal for under a dollar. I had gotten 8 boxes of Raisin Bran and for only 79 cents. When you have the buy one get one free (bogo) deals and then have a dollar off of each box, you get them really cheap! I think Johnny just finished off the last box of Raisin Bran. Of course I like to use those for Bran Muffins too..yummy..I grew up on this recipe. I'll have to post this recipe below (if you need to know from someone else besides me how good this recipe is, ask Danice Lewis or Liz Perry):

Bran Muffins

3 cups sugar
5 cups all purpose flour
5 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons salt
1 quart buttermilk
1 box Raisin Bran cereal (med size box. or use just the Bran Flakes cereal)
4 eggs
1 cup oil
3/4 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup nuts are optional (I never do them)

Mix the ingredients in a very large bowl. This makes a lot, so you can store in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks, which WON'T last that long, when you get up every morning and make a batch. lol Cook at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or so.

You can vary the recipe some. Instead of processed sugar, use turbinado or stevia (which is even better for you). Perhaps cut the flour down a bit and add some white bean flour (you can use up to 25% of the white bean flour but add an additional egg or two back to it). Use wheat and white flour until your family can handle all wheat flour. Use the soft wheat if you have it and freshly milled if you can do it. There are many variations you can make with this recipe to suit your family.

I've been making a lot of things lately. After I've experimented with several different bread recipes, I'll post my favorite. Lately, I've been making some sweet breads too. I'm back into my baking mode, which I love to do! Zucchini bread is my favorite. I made a couple of them last night along with some banana bread.

We are trying to work on becoming more self reliant. I'll talk more later about what we are trying to do with this subject.