In order to save time and money, I like to buy foods in bulk. One of the items I like to buy in bulk is rice. I usually get it from Sams in either a 25 or 50 pound bag. Before I go any further, let me state that I have not done the proper research to know exactly which rice is the healthiest and best for my family. For now, this is just a budget-friendly option that I choose.
As you can imagine, this large of a bag takes my family a few months to go through (we use a lot of rice!). I usually bag it into gallon size bags and freeze it until I'm ready to use it. This time I decided to use my air-tight sealer and some half-gallon jars I had on hand. I kept one jar open for use and sealed another 7 jars. I dated the top and will store these in my pantry.
Again, I haven't done a ton of research on this option. I have seen that you can just simply seal them without any oxygen absorbers. This should keep the bugs and pests out and also help it remain fresh. However, for super long-term storage (like 10+ years), I think I'd prefer to add the oxygen absorbers for that extra bit of preservation.
Here are the supplies I used (other than the rice):
Vacuum Sealer - this is just a generic link. My sealer is so old it is no longer available. It is a Black & Decker brand. Just be sure the sealer you use has an way to hook up an external hose for jar sealing.
Oxygen Absorbers (optional)
There really isn't much to it. Just fill the jars with a little bit of head space. Attach the hose to the sealer, put the lid onto the jar, place the sealer firmly on top, and hit the seal button. Once the seal is completed, I have found it best to disconnect the hose first, then remove the top (what fits over the lid) off of the jar. Otherwise, the top seems to want to undo the seal and take the lid with it. This doesn't happen every time, but when I remove the hose first, it almost never happens.
Then, just remember to store the jars in a cool, dark place.
This post is where I got my information for getting started. It states to either air-tight seal or use the oxygen absorbers. It also gives tips on proper storage.
Happy Storing!
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
As a busy homemaker, homesteading mom and wife, it can be hard to find time to "just be". Our days are filled with grocery shopping, housework, keeping things organized around the home, keeping the schedule straight for the family, making meals from scratch...the list seems endless. So what can we, as moms, do when our days seem so overwhelming and we just have a hard time functioning and keeping up?
First and foremost, start your day with God. This can be a prayer or meditation as you start your day. It may be a quite study time as you have your first cup of coffee. Whatever it is, always start your day with God.
Make a list of things that you need to get done. Prioritize your list and choose your top 3 that HAVE to be done. This helps clear your mind and free some space to help you manage your day.
But what if you have done these things and you still feel overwhelmed? That's when I like to do a quick little mind reset using the Aroma Reset. It's a branch of the Aroma Freedom Technique (AFT) that is super quick and very beneficial. I keep a roller bottle with the Memory Release Blend of oils in it, ready to use at a moments notice. When I feel overwhelmed or super stressed out, I grab the bottle and roll it on my wrists and the back of my neck. I take a moment to breath it in and relax. Seriously, it only takes about 60 seconds and my brain resets and I am able to better accomplish the task at hand.
Need to know more about this quick reset? I offer a 30-minute one-on-one coaching call where I not only walk you through this reset, I also walk you through an extended version (also super quick to use!) so that you have the tools you need to do these techniques throughout your day as needed. This session also includes a sample of the memory release blend that you can carry along with you and use as needed.
Trust me, your whole family will benefit from you taking a minute here and there throughout your day to reset your mind and let go of the stress and overwhelm.
If you want to know more about the Aroma Freedom Technique and how it works, check out these related blog posts:
The Aroma Freedom Technique (AFT)
The Aroma Freedom Technique (AFT)
#deepbreath
#inhalepeace
#exhaledoubt
#regainclarity
#inhalepeace
#exhaledoubt
#regainclarity
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
My daughter got married 2 months ago. There was a picture I requested that may seem out of the ordinary. We weren't quite sure how to do it to get the best angle. But it turned out great!
You've probably seen the bride with her wedding band over the flowers. Maybe even the bride and groom together. But what about the parents and their wedding bands, especially when both sets of parents are still married.
You may think, ok, big deal. But here's the thing...it IS a big deal! In today's society when it's more common to have merged families, it seems rare to that both sets of parents will still be married. After all, in most cases that means the parents have been married for 20+ years. That's quite the accomplishment!
Now the question: Why have a picture taken of all 6 hands/rings? Because I think it's a great reminder of where this young couple came from. A reminder of the commitments their parents made. A reminder that when you work hard at it, you can make it work. When you put God first, nothing can break you apart. These reminders are SO important! It's not just a covenant between the bride and groom. It signifies the relationship between both families that have chosen to work together to help these newlyweds make a home and life together. It's a reminder that together, we can accomplish great things. It's a reminder of all of the times we have put God first and not listened to our selfishness or what the world around us has to say.
Hebrews 13:4 "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous."
1 Peter 3:7 "Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you[a] of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered."
Colossians 3:18 "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord."
*photo credit: SaltLight Photography
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
We started homeschooling my kids as they were entering 7th, 5th, and 2nd grades. My husband and I had been thinking about it for years, but the idea of spending all that money held us back. But somewhere along the way we realized that it doesn't have to cost a lot. Being a single-income family, I had to find ways to stretch our dollars and make the most out of it so that we could provide our kids with the right education and tools they needed, and also allow me to stay home with them so that I could help them as needed.
Here is a list of 10 budget-friendly homeschool tips:
- Leverage Free Online Resources: Utilize free educational websites like Khan Academy (this is one I used with my older 2 as they navigated the high school years) and Starfall, which offer a variety of lessons, interactive activities, and even audiobooks for kids.
- Join Homeschooling Groups and Co-ops: Connect with local homeschooling communities to share resources, buy used curriculum, and participate in group activities and field trips. Share teaching responsibilities and resources with other homeschooling families. This can reduce costs and provide your children with more diverse learning experiences.
- Use the Library: Borrow books and educational materials from your local library. Many libraries also offer free access to online resources and educational programs.
- Buy Discounted Supplies: Shop for school supplies during back-to-school sales, use resell websites like eBay, and check dollar stores for basic supplies like paper, pens, and crayons. You can also join mailing lists and get notified when big sales are happening.
- Create a Budget: Plan your homeschooling expenses carefully. Make a detailed list of needed supplies and resources, then look for the best deals to stay within your budget.
- Choose Cost-Effective Curriculum: Consider using unit study curriculums that allow multiple children to study subjects like history and science together. This can save money compared to buying grade-specific materials for each child.
- Engage in Free Extracurricular Activities: Take virtual tours of museums, historical sites, and other attractions. Many places also offer free or discounted admission for local residents. Take Advantage of Community Resources: Utilize community resources such as parks, museums, nature centers, and historical sites for hands-on learning experiences. Many of these places offer free or low-cost educational programs and tours
- Incorporate Life Skills: Teach practical life skills like cooking, budgeting, and gardening as part of your curriculum. These activities often require minimal expense and provide valuable lessons.
- DIY Learning Tools: Create your own educational tools and resources. For example, make flashcards, use household items for science experiments, or design your own worksheets. There are many free templates and guides available online to help you get started.
- Online Used Curriculum Marketplaces: Explore online marketplaces specifically for used homeschool curriculum, such as Homeschool Classifieds or eBay. These platforms often have gently used materials at a fraction of the cost of new ones.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. I combined a few that were similar. Sometimes it helps get those creative juices flowing when you see similar options together. The biggest way to accomplish budget-friendly homeschooling is to become a part of a homeschool community. Many homeschool moms love sharing their resources and swapping curriculum. Joining a local homeschool co-op was one of the best decisions we ever made for our homeschooling journey.
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
My mom, sister, and I did a thing over the past year. We realized we all had the same devotional book, one that we had all had for years. Each of us at one time or another had started to work through it, only to never finish it. So we decided to do it together...well, or at least all do the same day every day.
We live in 3 different places. So each night we would send a devo reminder. Sometimes we discussed it, sometimes it was just a simple "devo reminder" typed out into our group chat. It was really all about the accountability to just get it done.
We live in 3 different places. So each night we would send a devo reminder. Sometimes we discussed it, sometimes it was just a simple "devo reminder" typed out into our group chat. It was really all about the accountability to just get it done.
You know what? It worked!! Today we all 3 finished the devotional book. We even have a few more lined up and ready to tackle.
If you, like us, need some accountability in doing a little Bible study each day, I would like to encourage you to find a group of ladies and simply hold each other accountable. If it turns into a full fledged Bible study, that's great! But even if it's just a simple accountability partner, you have still succeeded. The idea is simply that you get it done.
So, what is the book we finished? Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler & Jean E. Syswerda. It's an old copy, but good non the less.a
If you have done this study, I'd love to hear your thoughts about it. Did you enjoy it? What did you like the most when going through the studies? Did any particular woman stand out to you more than the others?
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
