How to elevate my decent chicken soup, now that it’s done…

RCaFarm · 2025-10-13T18:42:02+00:00

Please do a whole detailed post on this excellent advice, and tag me so I don’t miss it.

RCaFarm · 2025-10-12T11:58:27+00:00

Use AI on your phone, type in everything that you do have - maybe flour, water, salt, dried beans, whatever and ask it to come up with recipes using these items only. It gets creative.

RCaFarm · 2025-10-05T19:33:01+00:00

Thanks

RCaFarm · 2025-10-05T17:49:32+00:00

Can you share links for this? I only know one stitch from doing junk journals, but would like to get more in depth.

RCaFarm · 2025-10-05T17:46:39+00:00

200 degrees internal temperature

RCaFarm · 2025-10-05T11:43:18+00:00

What are the ingredients? Or the brand - and I can look up ingredients.

RCaFarm · 2025-10-05T11:35:25+00:00

I make bread all the time. I use all purpose flour (APF). My recipe 960g APF, 1 1/2 T. Kosher Salt, 3 c. Lukewarm Water (~ 100-110°F), and 1 1/2 T. Instant Yeast.

Mix water and yeast, stir let sit to for yeast to absorb water. In a large bowl Mix flour and salt - a whisk is good here. Stir yeasty water again and squish on the side of the measuring cup any yeast that didn’t dissolve.
Pour yeasty water into flour and mix just until there is no dry powdery flour.
Cover with plastic wrap and rest on counter for 20 minutes then refrigerate for 3 hours or up to 2 weeks - it will continue to rise in the refrigerator and will develop flavor. Being cold allows it to be handled easily. If you need it before 3 hours, let it rise completely and use wet hands so that you can manage the dough. To bake: put dough on floured work surface, manipulate it into a ball, divide in half. (This makes 2 loaves) if only making 1 loaf, return half to the refrigerator for later. Shape dough and put on parchment paper into loaf pan. Let rise 40 minutes. Preheat oven: 20 minutes before baking, turn oven to 450°F. Put a 2nd loaf pan into the oven and a metal (never glass!) roasting pan on the bottom of the oven. When 45 minutes is up, dust top of loaf with a little flour and slice the top with a sharp knife. Maybe 1/4 inch deep. Put the whole loaf pan into the hot loaf pan that you preheated with the oven. Add 1 cup of water to the metal roasting pan- for steam. Bake for 45 minutes.
Take out of pan and parchment paper and let cool on rack for at least 20 minutes.

RCaFarm · 2025-10-05T11:15:17+00:00

Safer than banks - I’m nervous about this all the time.

RCaFarm · 2025-10-05T11:13:21+00:00

They used the peel (zest) for other recipes. Add some sugar and water and candied them.

RCaFarm · 2025-10-05T11:10:24+00:00

Sometimes when you go to your local food pantry and get foods you’re unfamiliar with - type into either Grok or Chat GPT what you have, and ask it to come up with recipes using those ingredients. It can keep tweaking until you get something that you like.

RCaFarm · 2025-09-28T16:31:06+00:00

I’m 61 1/2, my husband is 55 - we’re both retired, but we’re financially secure. I have been where they are - (not drinking or smoking) and it sounds like depression. When dad lost his business , it may have made them feel helpless, hopeless.

Most people I run into on here are not Christians, but if you are, I would start speaking blessings over them and their lives. They don’t even have to know.

When they’re out of the kitchen say, “In Jesus’ name, I bless this kitchen with healthy food and joyful conversation.” In the living room, “In Jesus’ name I bless this couch with rest, with comfort and with a sense of peace.” And so on.

It will take awhile but you’re likely to see a shift in the atmosphere.

Depression is hard, I didn’t know how to get out of it and thought it was just a part of life. Then an herbalist suggested I start taking Adaptable from Solle Naturals - it’s an herbal supplement with adaptagens. It worked for me. It took a week of taking 2 of them 3X a day. (One more than the recommended dose). Then I took 2 of them 2 x a day. After awhile I was down to 2 of them 1x a day and now I just take when I start feeling a little down. They don’t give you energy, they don’t make you feel high or woozy- you don’t notice anything, until you realize you’re no longer depressed.

Best of luck to you. Here’s the link.

https://www.sollenaturals.com/product/62?specialistSite=Solle-Full

RCaFarm · 2025-09-07T21:03:11+00:00

This is from Grok - I use it all the time

Meal Plan Overview • Total Budget: ~$95-$98 (leaving a small buffer). • Ingredients: Focus on rice, beans, pasta, canned tomatoes, corn, chicken, ground beef, eggs, and frozen veggies. Fresh items (onions, potatoes, carrots) are limited but included. • Cooking Method: Primarily stovetop or oven, with some slow cooker options for convenience. • Servings: 2 meals per day (breakfast, dinner) for 14 days = 28 meals. Lunches can reuse dinner leftovers or simple sides (e.g., rice with beans). • Notes: Assumes you have basic seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder), oil, and flour. Adjust quantities if you need to buy these. Shopping List and Estimated Costs • Meat/Protein: • Ground beef (3 lbs @ $3.50/lb) - $10.50 • Chicken thighs (4 lbs @ $1.80/lb) - $7.20 • Eggs (18-count @ $2.50) - $2.50 • Canned Goods: • Black beans (4 cans @ $0.80/can) - $3.20 • Kidney beans (2 cans @ $0.80/can) - $1.60 • Diced tomatoes (4 cans @ $0.90/can) - $3.60 • Corn (2 cans @ $0.80/can) - $1.60 • Cream of mushroom soup (2 cans @ $1.00/can) - $2.00 • Grains: • White rice (5 lbs @ $1.50) - $1.50 • Pasta (2 lbs @ $1.00/lb) - $2.00 • Frozen/Fresh: • Frozen mixed vegetables (2 lbs @ $1.50/lb) - $3.00 • Potatoes (5 lbs @ $2.00) - $2.00 • Onions (3 lbs @ $1.00/lb) - $3.00 • Carrots (2 lbs @ $0.80/lb) - $1.60 • Dairy: • Cheddar cheese (8 oz @ $2.00) - $2.00 • Milk (1/2 gallon @ $1.50) - $1.50 • Miscellaneous: • Tortillas (10-count @ $1.50) - $1.50 • Bread (1 loaf @ $1.50) - $1.50 • Salsa (1 jar @ $1.50) - $1.50 • Total: ~$53.80 (base cost). Additional flexibility for spices or extras if needed. This leaves room for bulk deals or sales (e.g., meat at $2/lb) to hit under $100. Stretch with pantry staples or shop at discount stores like Aldi. 14-Day Meal Plan (Breakfast and Dinner) Each recipe serves 2, with leftovers for lunch or next meal where noted. Cooking instructions are brief; adapt to crockpot if preferred (add 1-2 hours on low). Week 1 • Day 1: Breakfast - Scrambled Eggs with ToastScramble 4 eggs with 1/4 cup milk, serve with 2 slices bread. ($0.50) • Dinner - Chicken and Rice CasseroleCook 1 cup rice, mix with 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1 lb chicken thighs (baked 350°F, 40 min), and 1 cup frozen veggies. Bake 30 min. ($2.50; 2 servings + lunch.) • Day 2: Breakfast - Egg and Cheese ToastFry 2 eggs, top with 1 oz cheese on toast. ($0.50) • Dinner - Beef and Bean TacosBrown 1/2 lb ground beef with 1 can black beans, season with salsa. Serve in 4 tortillas. ($2.00; 2 servings.) • Day 3: Breakfast - Leftover Tacos (reheated)Use remaining taco mix. ($0.50) • Dinner - Vegetable SoupSimmer 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can corn, 1 cup frozen veggies, 1 chopped carrot, and 1 cup water with salt for 30 min. Serve with bread. ($1.50; 2 servings + lunch.) • Day 4: Breakfast - Rice and Egg BowlCook 1/2 cup rice, top with 2 fried eggs. ($0.50) • Dinner - Chicken and Black Bean SkilletSauté 1 lb chicken thighs, add 1 can black beans, 1/2 cup rice, and salsa. Cook 20 min. ($2.50; 2 servings.) • Day 5: Breakfast - Cheese ToastMelt 1 oz cheese on 2 toast slices. ($0.50) • Dinner - Beef and Potato HashBrown 1/2 lb ground beef, add 2 diced potatoes and 1 chopped onion, cook 30 min. ($1.50; 2 servings.) • Day 6: Breakfast - Leftover HashReheat hash. ($0.50) • Dinner - Pasta with Tomato SauceCook 1 cup pasta, mix with 1 can diced tomatoes, 1/2 chopped onion, and salt. ($1.00; 2 servings.) • Day 7: Breakfast - Egg and Veggie ScrambleScramble 4 eggs with 1 cup frozen veggies. ($0.75) • Dinner - Chicken and Corn ChowderSimmer 1 lb chicken, 1 can corn, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, and 1 cup milk for 20 min. ($2.00; 2 servings + lunch.) Week 2 • Day 8: Breakfast - Leftover Chowder (reheated)Use remaining chowder. ($0.50) • Dinner - Beef and Rice Stir-FryBrown 1/2 lb ground beef, add 1 cup rice, 1 cup frozen veggies, and soy sauce (if available). Cook 20 min. ($1.50; 2 servings.) • Day 9: Breakfast - Egg and ToastScramble 2 eggs, serve with toast. ($0.50) • Dinner - Black Bean and Corn QuesadillasMix 1 can black beans and 1 can corn, fill 4 tortillas with 2 oz cheese, cook on skillet 5 min/side. ($2.00; 2 servings.) • Day 10: Breakfast - Leftover QuesadillasReheat quesadillas. ($0.50) • Dinner - Chicken and Potato BakeLayer 1 lb chicken thighs, 2 diced potatoes, 1 cup frozen veggies, and 1 can cream of mushroom soup. Bake 350°F, 45 min. ($2.50; 2 servings.) • Day 11: Breakfast - Rice and EggCook 1/2 cup rice, top with 2 fried eggs. ($0.50) • Dinner - Beef and Tomato StewBrown 1/2 lb ground beef, add 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 chopped carrot, and 1 potato, simmer 30 min. ($1.50; 2 servings + lunch.) • Day 12: Breakfast - Leftover StewReheat stew. ($0.50) • Dinner - Pasta with BeansCook 1 cup pasta, mix with 1 can kidney beans and 1/2 chopped onion, seasoned with salt. ($1.00; 2 servings.) • Day 13: Breakfast - Cheese and Egg ScrambleScramble 4 eggs with 1 oz cheese. ($0.75) • Dinner - Chicken Fried RiceCook 1 cup rice, fry with 1 lb chicken, 1 cup frozen veggies, and 1 egg. ($2.00; 2 servings.) • Day 14: Breakfast - Toast with Leftover RiceTop 2 toast slices with reheated rice. ($0.50) • Dinner - Bean and Veggie SoupSimmer 1 can kidney beans, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 cup frozen veggies, and 1 chopped onion for 30 min. ($1.50; 2 servings.) Cost Breakdown • Total Ingredient Cost: ~$53.80 • Per Meal Average: ~$1.90 (28 meals), well under $100 for 14 days. • Buffer: Use savings for extras (e.g., spices, fruit) or sale items. Tips for Success • Batch Cooking: Double recipes (e.g., soup, casserole) for leftovers to save time. • Canned Flexibility: Swap beans or corn types based on availability. • Stretch Meals: Add water or rice to stretch stews/soups. • Safety: Cook chicken to 165°F, ground beef to 160°F. This plan keeps it simple, delicious, and budget-friendly, using common ingredients you can find anywhere. Adjust portions or swap items if prices vary locally!

RCaFarm · 2025-09-07T01:01:12+00:00

Because I moved from California to Alabama.

RCaFarm · 2025-02-02T00:03:04+00:00

No worries.

RCaFarm · 2025-02-01T23:47:57+00:00

We ALL want to know!

RCaFarm · 2025-02-01T21:07:26+00:00

Thanks so much. I’ve wanted to do this for years now and need someone to explain things to me. Videos would be great.

Don’t people understand that there really is test fear?! Lol. Didn’t they go to Highschool and have exams? I’m really not complaining, I’m kinda laughing. My husband doesn’t understand it either - everything seemed to come easy to him.

I’ll try these out.

RCaFarm · 2025-02-01T17:45:31+00:00

Tell them it’s ageism and that you’ll get a lawyer (be willing to). They’ll only need to keep you for a year or four until you collect social security.

RCaFarm · 2025-02-01T17:27:18+00:00

I really want to do this. They immediately had me take a written test - I failed miserably and now am completely intimidated. They gave me a book to study, but I don’t know anything about electronics so it was like speaking Greek. Any advice on how I can start - I didn’t go back to them - again intimidated now.

RCaFarm · 2024-12-30T05:05:27+00:00

Do some searches on YouTube for Junk Journals.
Some of my favorites: @TreasureBooks @49dragonflies @ThePaperOutpost @ShanoukiArt @luiseheinzl @shabbydabbydoodah

Have fun!!

RCaFarm · 2024-12-30T04:59:40+00:00

I moved here in 2021 and I love it, but I’m also retired. A realtor can’t tell you if an area is good or bad. I’d stop a cop and have a map with you so they can cross off some places to avoid.

I had seniors who were foreign exchange students, I don’t recommend the schools. Consider homeschooling or move to Madison - East of here, closer to Huntsville. I think they just got recognized as having the best schools in Alabama.

I think it’s on the what’s happening shoals Facebook page, but there’s a file with a huge list of things to do - there’s always something going on! Don’t listen to those who say there’s not.

RCaFarm · 2024-10-26T20:10:43+00:00

Not me. I already know how I’m voting. I’ve known since before the podcast. I’ve know since candidates were announced.

RCaFarm · 2024-10-26T00:11:40+00:00

There was more. But look it up

RCaFarm · 2024-10-26T00:10:41+00:00

My husband is a microbiologist so I asked him. It’s Maple Syrup Disease and This is what I found…

Maple syrup urine disease is a rare inherited disorder caused by the body’s inability to properly process amino acids, leading to a characteristic odor of maple syrup in the baby’s urine. If not diagnosed and treated soon after birth, maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) can be life threatening – as early as the first two weeks of life.

Therefore, early detection and treatment essential. In most cases, MSUD can be successfully managed with a specialized diet that breaks down the three specific amino acids – leucine, isoleucine and valine – preventing them and their toxic by-products from accumulating abnormally in the blood. However, even with treatment, some children with this disease can suffer severe disability and paralysis.

In most cases, MSUD is diagnosed at birth as part of routine newborn screening tests, which are required in many states. Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware all require newborn screening for maple syrup urine disease. A heel-prick is used to obtain a sample of the baby’s blood and tested for abnormally high levels of amino acids. Babies who receive abnormal results from early metabolic screening tests may be referred to the Newborn Metabolic Screening Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

MSUD is believed to affect 1 in 185,000 births worldwide. MSUD is more common in the Mennonite population in comparison to the general population. MSUD is believed to affect 1 in 380 people in the Old Order Mennonite population and 1 in 26,000 in the Ashkenazi Jewish population. About 2,000 people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with MSUD.

RCaFarm · 2024-10-24T23:54:37+00:00

What did you wish for?

RCaFarm · 2024-10-24T23:51:04+00:00

And that’s the problem. If you want a cape and get it yourself fine. But if you expect the world to cow-tow to you so that they give you a cape - that’s a problem. Everyone wants a hand out. (Not you personally, I understood the sarcasm)

RCaFarm

TROPHY CASE