vimaladevi

I was wondering if anyone has compared the kohn pressure cookers to the fagor? I have this kohn, no complaints and looking buying the larger size, but the fagor seems to be a bit less expensive... thanks!

I think this flat coffee filter paper would be ideal, natural unbleached. We use it for our Chemex coffee makers, but I'm definitely going to try it out in place of parchment paper next time...

I've been using the hawkins models stainless stell PCs for years now, I've never tried anything else. It seems like the favorites mentioned in this thread are so much more expensive. I'm wondering if anyone else out there can compare the hawkins to some of the fancier ones... I'm just wondering what I'm missing out on if anything, as I PC daily and any improvement is always welcome. Thanks & Happy New Years!

using this one for grinding spices and dry seeds: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004SPEU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00004SPEU&linkCode=as2&tag=awa0221-20 I've been using this brand for years but only for dry items. But I have to say I keep two around just in case one burns out, not that it burns out easily, but I tend to use it even when making bulk items. Sometimes I'm making desserts that need dry finely ground seeds nuts etc it does it a much better and even job than the mini cuisinart/ food processor. for small batches of spices I use the mortar and pestle...

is air frying the same as vacuum frying?

This is not necessarily the part of the physical preparedness kit, but more of a lifestyle update I guess? Let me know what you all think of this. Why not prepare ourselves from the inside out? During a disaster/emergency situation the fright, scare or panic, (perhaps thoughts of impending doom etc...) can cause us to experience so much stress and fear it is as if we were already dying. The body and mind experience go through so much that it start a process of physical health deterioration. We already know our thoughts have a direct affect on our lives. It has been studied and shown that everything we believe, think, say and do is reflected directly, or manifested in our lives. The thoughts "I don't have enough food," "I am starving," "I am cold, dying," etc. couple with the physical experience of being these kind of situations is enough to put us in the grave quickly. I'm suggesting we practice a few techniques that will directly prepare us for such an event: 1. Every so often FAST. There are are many benefits to fasting... a. When you fast you gain the confidence and freedom of knowing that in any emergency or just by choice you can live easily for extended periods of time without food. b. Even if you practice living on one meal a day for sometime, you will quickly see that you live on limited food/water FOREVER. 2. Practice some techniques that directly work on your thoughts. The quantity and quality. - is one such powerful tool.a. You can reduce the frequency of thoughts (in this case particularly negative thought patterns). Also watch and break the pattern of connecting thoughts. For example how we loose sleep by making mountains out of mole hills. The way one thought leads to the next next next... b. You can also use this technique to disconnect yourself from reactions to the life situations. from emotional & physical pain etc.3. Live sustainably. If you have a sustainable lifestyle then you never have have to "prepare" for such an event. a. Grow some food. b. Compost your organic matter - at least start practicing with you kitchen scraps. c. Practice living off the grid every so often. Again you will build you confidence in your abilities to sustain yourself and your family. All this just for some inner peace interesting article about unclutching interesting page on unclutching interesting page on

Here are some off-the-grid cooking solutions: wood gas stove - very cool technology, burns clean practically no smoke and uses a variety of natural wood materials (even coconut shells!) volcano grill, or for off grid baking I'm wishing for a green egg soon thermal cooker, again efficient... less fuel good in combo with wood gas stove...

Sacred secrets to cooking off the grid wood gas stove collapsable stove thermal cooker

Good Witch's Brew!

I've been using cultures of microorganisms to do the carbonation for me... good o' fermentation still works here. Soda pop with health benefits

Some good info on oils, health and cooking. The funky smell of canola happens once it goes rancid. I won't buy, eat or cook with canola oil period. Aside from the rancidity problem most canola is GMO. There are just way better choices... if you are looking for the high smoke point try palm oil (no taste) of course ghee if you like the taste of butter but has a much higher smoke point. Coconut oil, if you don't mind the flavor. These all work for baking also. enjoy & good luck

I use Now's

ahh the coconut glory! love it and these spell out why... enjoy! must read # 1 must read #2

I have a set like these. I use them for perforating papers... art not culinary but I'm curious too what will you use them for? I'm thinking pastry something...?

Here's the recipe I use for preserving or pickling lemons... http://www.paajaka.com/2008/05/authentic-south-indian-lemon-pickle.html Its says 10 days here, but I usually let it go for more like a month.

It's still warm here, so today we've been enjoying the this cold brewed & vacuum extracted, slightly fermented (lactic acid / non-alcoholic). very nice. I have another cold brew of lemon verbana going now, we'll see how long that takes to ferment and I'll let you'll know how it tastes. Life is good!

I have the same one and can't say enough... it's the best! I like making fresh nut butters in it. Not in quantity but for a quick 1-2 servings its awesome. but look what i found a good price difference, it's even the same vendor... but even then, prob still worth the extra bucks. I've had it for quite some time. It's quite heavy, thus durable.

I believe they carry this set at BB&B and they sell the same individually also, that coupon would def come on handy... They also carry some of the le creuset cast iron enameled beauties as well as their stainless steel line. After he goes sees and feels and finds the right ones he may want reconsider ordering online, the prices look pretty discounted...and free shipping is included. There might be even cheaper if he uses google shopping to find the best prices...

I have a model similar to this that works great for both wet and dry. My previous mini grinder burn-outs were this one and the older version of this. Now I'm really careful not to over load! hope that helps..

Not sure if this will help, I think those are 5 gal buckets you have now to work with... these lids add nice color and I love the how easy they are to open and they are super air tight, we use them for storing the bulk dry goods and for compost, really useful for those 5 gal buckets. perhaps for now or until you get the cabinets going...

I found these to be rather inexpensive and similar to the sears ones... I like the understated colored lids too. Kind of modern & clean. This one looks like it is the same as the one you linked to at sears but much better price.

Please keep us posted if you find as source...

this may not be new but new to me, thought it looked useful for the home kitchen, but don't know where to buy one... lap counter

also fall into the vegetarian category that avoids garlic, onion, stimulants/ etc... your friend at work must be a meditate... anyhow for flavorI I use this. Though just a pinch can go a long way, but it does really does work!

I had a really old (at least 45yr old) pyrex casserole dish break on me a few years back, it was hot, something slipped, finally we had vegan stuffed cabbage all over the floor. Anyhow it broke into millions of tiny tiny pieces, I'm surprised that wasn't your oven experience, I promise you lucked out. I was finding those little pieces of glass until the day I moved out of the house! FYI I found a bunch of these new/used online available and also for the LA locals there are classic model Anchor measuring cups at discounted prices regularly at "Big Lots." But I have a feeling Pyrex will continue making these classics just on this forum alone there are too many customers to be lost... On a side note, there is another honorable mention in measuring... "Batali's" measuring cups. I got these as a gift quite some time ago, unfortunately I lost some along the way. I've been looking for the orange ones to replace the lost, but only found the expresso color now. I wouldn't have bought them for myself if I saw them in passing, but they have become some of my favorites for measuring dry goods... and of course great as prep bowls too.