I may be repeating information in this post, but I was reminded how wonderful it's been by adding dehydrated organic mushrooms to soups, pastas and stews this winter.
Of course this is in addition to all the frugal tips I've shared.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is expensive if you are buying it organic and non-gmo. Olive oil should taste like olives. If it says it comes from more than one source, you are not getting true olive oil.
If organic and non-gmo are important to you and your family, consider buying it by the gallon. Especially if you thrive to be self-sufficient, and use it for infusing (to make homemade lip balms, lotions, creams, balms, etc.).
Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar
Buy this by the gallon vs. the smaller bottles. You will go through it quickly if you use it during canning season, make your own thieves vinegar (or other herb infused vinegar), your own facial toners, and more. We are lucky to find a health store that sells it by the gallon. Our grocers do not. I go through a lot for pickling too.
Mushrooms
Purchase when on sale and dehydrate. Store in air tight containers in your freezer. You'll have better nutrition at a better price. Canned mushrooms are full of sodium, unless you buy salt free, but cans can have BPA too.
Celery
Purchase organic celery on sale, dice and freeze in ice cube containers. Please visit my post on how to do this: here
Spices/Herbs
Items like Cumin, Chili Powder, Cinnamon, ground mustard, sesame seeds, mustard seeds and others are used quite frequently at our homestead, and more so when canning season is here. Locate a store (or online source) to purchase these in bulk, and at a good price. Simply re-fill a small container in your pantry. Store extra in canning jars in a dark cool location. Be sure to date your jars. You can do this with bay leaves or other herbs you are unable to grow yourself.
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Good tips, Kristina. I find buying almost anything in bulk is the way to go. Both financially and self-sufficiency wise. I know some folks say they don't have the room to store bulk quantities, but if this is important to you there are lots of places you can stash cases or home canned or dehydrated containers of goods: Under the bed, in a basement (if you have one and it's not damp), on the floor of a clothes closet, in the garage (if it's tempered regarding heat or cold), in totes stacked in a spare room (cover them with an attractive quilt or tablecloth), in the freezer (keeping your freezer full enables it to run more efficiently), etc.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips and information!
ReplyDeleteMama Pea, thanks for all those storage tips too. Excellent ideas there.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sam.
ReplyDeleteSo true! Once you identify your main staples, it pays to buy in bulk. My difficulty is finding things locally, which is my preference.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to know this. I never know which olive oil is best to buy.
ReplyDeleteSome great tips, I do need to look into buying some things in bulk for a more efficient pantry.
ReplyDeleteExcellent advice. Sometimes it just takes a few adjustments in shopping to be able to get organics, but it's worth it.
ReplyDeleteSusan, same here. I wish there was a store for people like us. Unfortunately, there are more fast food, convenience food choices in our local stores.
ReplyDeletemamasmercantile, after stepping it up a notch with canned goods, I made a list of things I needed more often, so I was better at buying bulk the next year.
ReplyDeleteHenny Penny, I watched a cooking show recently, where they taste tested olive oils, and I learned a lot.
ReplyDeleteLeigh, I try to grow everything myself, but I can't do it all. I tried growing cumin twice. Blueberries won't grow here either. It's a roll with the dice, but I sometimes find other things I can grow that I use and need.
ReplyDelete