Proper Care for Cookware

Image used by permission per Creative Commons Attribution License. Copyright by "Dinner Series" (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dinnerseries/). Editing (overlay & text) by Reviving Homemaking. 

    
   We have three main types of cookware: nonstick, stainless steel and cast iron. Each require attentiveness to care to maintain optimum condition and lifespan. Knowledge of this care my be common-sense, or it may be more of a matter of domestic education. My experience has been of learning through a few mistakes. I've scrubbed cast iron until it no longer had any coating (yes, *cringe*). I've also tossed nonstick skillets in the dishwasher. The former incident required lots of reseasoning. The latter resulted in needing to replace the pans after only three years of use. I didn't know then what I know now about caring for my cookware! The following is a simple set of guidelines regarding maintaining my specific sets of cookware. Perhaps they will apply to yours as well. Of course, it is best to check with the particular manufacturer of your cookware as not all cookware is made the same. 

Nonstick
      There are some foods that cook best in a nonstick pan. I find that eggs, for instance, will cook the best without sticking in a nonstick pan. Crepes are also easier to make in a nonstick pan. However, if the food can be cooked in another type of pan then I prefer to skip nonstick cookware. My greatest aggravation with nonstick is that it has to be handled very carefully and then may not last the full lifespan of ten years. My last pans lasted only three years, which is a painfully short time frame considering the financial investment for quality pans. Granted, I did not know then that nonstick pans should never be placed in the dishwasher. Before long, the nonstick coating began to wear thin. Continuing to cook with pans which had a less than intact coating was not desirable. We received two new high quality pans for Christmas this year, and I'm now well-versed on how to properly care for them so that they will last as close to the full ten years as possible! No more dishwasher!

General Use:

• Do not rush preheating process by using a high heat. Start with a medium heat and then adjust as needed.
• Use nylon, plastic or wooden utensils only
• Cookware may be used in the oven up to 400 F, but never in the broiler. (Check manufacturer's recommendations as not all cookware is made to sustain oven temperatures.)
• Allow pan to cool thoroughly before washing. Never immerse a hot pan in cold water.

Cleaning:

• Hand wash only. Never place cookware in a dishwasher. 
• Never use abrasive cleaning pads or cleansers.
• Clean the interior nonstick surface with a liquid dishwashing detergent and a nonabrasive sponge or soft bristle brush.
• Clean the exterior (hard-anodized aluminum surface) with a liquid dishwashing detergent and a nonabrasive sponge. 
• For stubborn spots on exterior, use Barkeeper's Friend cleanser and a nonabrasive sponge or soft bristle brush

Cookware should last at least 10 year if properly maintained. 

Source: Calphalon Use and Care

Cast Iron

    One of my favorite aspects of cast iron cookware is that is it more sustainable and naturally coated. It will last at least ten times longer than nonstick cookware when optimally maintained. Plus, it's neat to hear stories from family members of who owned each pan and the foods that were made in them. 

    My husband is well-versed in cast iron cooking and care. I, on the other hand, have had to learn through trial and error. My first cast iron cookware was a grill pan. I didn't know much about cast iron seasoning and so when I washed it after use I scrubbed and scrubbed. I thought it was a job well done to have removed all that coating. The shocked look on my husband's face said otherwise!
       I'm still not the best at keeping my pans in optimum shape for cast iron, but I've certainly come a long way! Getting into the habit of applying a thin layer of oil after each wash has improved their condition quite a bit. (I use coconut oil, but I know of family members who use bacon grease or shortening). 

General Use:

• Hand wash only. Dry immediately. Rub lightly with oil of choice. 
• Acidic foods like tomatoes, beans and certain sauces can damage seasoning, and should be avoided until the seasoning is well established.

Cleaning:

• Avoid using the dishwasher, strong detergents and metal scouring pads as they can remove the seasoning
• In many instances cookware can be wiped clean without the use of soap (cookware is 400 F in only 4 minutes while over medium heat and is considered sterile at 212 F). If soap is desired, then wash in mild soapy water. Dry and rub lightly rub with oil immediately. 
• If food begins to stick significantly, the color becomes dull and gray, or rust forms, then reseason cookware. Thoroughly wash cookware in hot soapy water with a stiff brush. Rinse and dry completely. Apply a thin layer of oil to entire surface of pan. Place sheet of aluminum foil on bottom rack of oven to catch drips. Heat oven to 350-400 F. Place cookware upside down on upper rack. Allow to heat for approximately one hour. Turn oven off and allow pan to remain in oven until cool. If

Cookware should last at least 100 years if properly maintained.

Source: Lodge Use and Care

Stainless Steel

     A set of high quality stainless steel cookware is in my opinion well worth the investment. I didn't come into having a nice set of cookware until marriage. I previously used a rather cheap set, which suited my needs at the time considering I didn't cook much and couldn't afford much. That set was quickly moved out when we married as he had a rather nice set of stainless steel cookware. Quality goes a long way, especially now that we cook quite a bit each day! 

General Use:

• Do not allow foods with high chloride (ex. salt) or acidic (ex. tomatoes) contents to remain in cookware after use. (This can cause discoloration or pitting). If you add salt to the water when boiling pasta or vegetables, allow the water to come to a full boil before adding the salt.
• Cookware is oven safe to 400 F (350 F with cookware lid). (Be sure to verify with the specific manufacturer of your cookware). 
• Start with medium heat and then adjust as needed. Prolonged periods of high heat can discolor or damage pans.
• Personal experience- don't let your beans boil dry in the pan. It is ridiculously hard to get clean again. Haha

Cleaning:

• Cookware is dishwasher safe. However, handwashing is recommended to retain the original luster and shine. (Being the one type of cookware that can go in the dishwasher, I take advantage of this feature and skip the handwashing!)
• Wash with warm water and mild soap. Use a soft sponge or nylon pad. Dry thoroughly. 
• For stubborn stains, use a stainless steel cleaner such as Barkeeper's Friend
• To remove baked on food, use a mild detergent in about one inch of water. Boil and then simmer in cookware for about 15 minutes. After cooling, drain, rinse and dry. 
• Avoid soaking cookware in water for a long period of time, even if it's heavily soiled. (The chlorine and mineral content of the water, especially iron, can cause corrosion or discoloration). 

Source: Wolfgang Puck Cookware Use & Care

Linked up at: 

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Join Reviving Homemaking on Facebook!

Visit the Reviving Homemaking Etsy Shop!

Follow Reviving Homemaking on Pinterest!

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-Question for YOU!-*-*-*-*-*-*-

What is something you wish you had learned to do before getting married or having children? Why?

(Your name (first name + last initial) and comment may be used in the upcoming Reviving Homemaking ebook. If you wish for your name to not be included, then please simply use "anonymous" or "guest." Thank you for your input!)

Handwashing vs. the Dishwasher (Part 2)

                        

       As discussed in the previous post, there are advantages and disadvantages to handwashing dishes and using the dishwasher. In some instances, the dishwasher may be more efficient than handwashing. The converse is true of in other cases. Regardless of the method, efficiently is certainly impacted by how well each task is performed. It may seem like the processes are self-explanatory , and for the most part they are, but there are a few details that might be useful still.

Handwashing:

• Scrap off or rinse food particles prior to adding the dishes to the dishwater to keep the water as clean as possible.
• Maintain water as hot as your hands can handle. Water temperature will begin to significantly cool down after only 10-15 minutes, and water will need to be added to or replaced.
• Follow the following washing order: glasses, silverware, dishware, cookware. This allows the  items with the most germs to be washed first in the hottest water.

Dishwasher:

• Plastics should always be placed securely on the top rack. Trust me, burnt plastic produces quite the stench.
• Use caution when washing fragile glass. Cleaning broken pieces of glass out of the dishwasher would not be ideal for you or the machine.
• Group like items together to increase loading capacity, but be careful to allow adequate space in between them so that they will not nest together. Silverware should similarly be loaded in a manner which would prevent nesting by either varying the contents of each compartment (ie not placing all of one utensil type together) or varying the direction of the utensils (ie some facing up and some down).
• Pots and pans clean best when laying flat or nearly flat. Placing another dish within the space of a pot or pan can occlude the water from properly reaching all surfaces.
• Always run the dishwasher with a full load (but not overloaded!).
• Depending on the machine, it may be helpful to pre-rinse the dishes. If the dishes might sit a bit before a full load is achieved, then pre-rinsing is very helpful in preventing food from hardening onto the surface of the dish which is difficult for the dishwasher to remove. 

Additional Reading:

Home Economics: Vintage Advice and Practical Science for the 21st-Century Household compiled by Jennifer McKnight Trontz  *

**Note: The product listed above contains an affiliate link to Amazon.com. Reviving Homemaking is an affiliate of Amazon.com, and as such receives compensation for each purchase made through the link.  

Linked up at: A Mama's Story, The Alabaster Jar, The Modest Mom Blog, The Better Mom, Far Above Rubies, Growing Home, Time-Warp Wife

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Join Reviving Homemaking on Facebook!

Visit the Reviving Homemaking Etsy Shop!

Follow Reviving Homemaking on Pinterest!

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-Question for YOU!-*-*-*-*-*-*-

What is something you wish you had learned to do before getting married or having children? Why?

(Your name (first name + last initial) and comment may be used in the upcoming Reviving Homemaking ebook. If you wish for your name to not be included, then please simply use "anonymous" or "guest." Thank you for your input!)

Handwashing vs. the Dishwasher (Part 1)

       Does handwashing dishes clean them as well as a dishwasher? Does a dishwasher cost more in terms of repairs and replacement or energy usage? There are a few areas such as cleanliness, cost, time and consistency that must be considered when determining which method of washing dishes is better. 

        Let's begin with cleanliness. According to Real Simple, a water temperature of 140° is necessary to kill bacteria. The hot water from the facet will not reach this temperature, and for a good reason- it would burn your skin. Based on water temperature, the dishwasher is superior at sanitizing dishes. However, bacteria can still be eliminated in the dishwater with the use of antibacterial dishsoap or a small amount of bleach. Each of these has a significant drawback, though. Bleach, for instance, poses significant health and environmental risk.   Antibacterial additives to soap has recently raised concerns as a contributing agent to a growing antibiotic-resistance in the environment. I do not use either of these substances in my dishwater. If a dirty dish has sat on the countertop or in the sink for a while which would promote bacterial growth, then I would use another method. For everyday meals, good ol' soap and water is sufficient to clean dishes in my opinion. 

        A second aspect in the dishwasher versus handwashing debate is the matter of cost. Both methods require some degree of cost. Handwashing dishes involves the expense of water usage multiple times a day. A dishwasher also requires the expense of water usage, as well as electricity usage and the cost of eventually needing to repair or replace the appliance.  With a price tag of about $300-500, the sudden expense of replacement can hit a family budget pretty hard. With regard to electricity use, an energy-efficient dishwasher uses only 1kwh of energy (source: Huffington Post). Lastly, the dishwasher uses less water than handwashing if the dishes have not been pre-washed prior to loading into the dishwasher. I have always thoroughly rinsed my dishes prior to loading them into the dishwasher because as a renter I haven't always been able to rely on the older dishwashers in the units. This practice, however, adds to the cost of using the dishwasher. 

      Convenience and time requirements are also a consideration. Automatic dishwasher have lessened the work and time required by domestic tasks. It would by far take more time and energy to wash every dish by hand after every meal. As wonderful as it is be alleviated of this demand, I also believe there is a great good than can come from not having a task completed for me. Great gains can be found in domestic work! For example, my grandmother once wisely told me that your more resourceful and appreciative of how you use your dishes to cook when you've had to spend time and effort bending over the sink to wash them. I find myself not as mindful and well..spoiled and lazy when it comes to caring for my possessions, including my kitchen dishes. 

      The last consideration is in regard to lifestyle. When I had a residence of my own prior to marriage, I would wash by hand because if not I'd run out of dishes before I could fill the dishwasher. Now, I cook full meals a few times a day and never lack in filling the dishwasher. Yet, I have a bad habit of leaving dishes for a later clean-up. By the time "later" arrives, I'm also needing to cook a meal but have little work space or cooking utensils. Or, someone drops by to visit and I'm too embarrassed of the mess to extend an invitation inside (our home has an open floor plan, so there's no avoiding the kitchen). I've discovered the best means of combating this bad habit of mine is to wash all the dishes after each meal. I tend to have so many dishes and cookware that are not dishwasher safe that I have to wash by hand even if I'm using the dishwasher. So, I decided to just wash everything by hand after each meal, and the kitchen stayed cleaner. (Of course, knives or cutting boards that dealt with meats or eggs were placed in the dishwasher anyways). Even though the dishwasher is more efficient, it's been more beneficial for me to develop better habits the old fashioned way. If you find yourself with piles of dirty dishes all the time, I suggest to begin washing by hand to: 1) develop a better mindfulness of your (over)usage during meal prep and 2) develop a better habit for keeping dishes caught up. In time, you can shift from the sink back to the dishwasher. 

Up Next: Part 2 (How to properly handwash dishes and load the dishwasher)

Linked up at: Growing Home, Time-Warp Wife, Christian Mommy Blogger, A Mama's Story, The Alabaster Jar, The Modest Mom Blog, The Better Mom, Far Above Rubies, Growing Home, Time-Warp Wife

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Join Reviving Homemaking on Facebook!

Visit the Reviving Homemaking Etsy Shop!

Follow Reviving Homemaking on Pinterest!

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-Question for YOU!-*-*-*-*-*-*-

What is something you wish you had learned to do before getting married or having children? Why?

(Your name (first name + last initial) and comment may be used in the upcoming Reviving Homemaking ebook. If you wish for your name to not be included, then please simply use "anonymous" or "guest." Thank you for your input!)

Cleaning Routine

   
     At one time, my husband and I both worked outside the home. We had an agreement that if we were both to be responsible for bringing in an income, then we would both be responsible for also keeping up with the housework. The understaning was for each of us to be capable and responsible of taking care of any household task. In order to make this work, we had to discuss our expectations. One of the causes for frustrations when it comes to all persons contributing to the management of the home is that each person will have a different perspective and expectation. Therefore, it becomes necessary to discuss the various standards and even make a list or timetable. A useful way to display the tasks/routine is to slip the list/routine into a frame and then use a dry erase marker to assign or mark off tasks. This way complete or incomplete tasks can be communicated with everyone else in the home. It also would keep each person accountable for pulling his/her share within the home. Expressing expectations for everyone keeps frustrations low and progress high. 

     Since making the move to full-time homemaking for myself we no longer share the household tasks like previously done. He is now solely responsible for bringing in an income and I have the responsibly of managing our home. I do not mind taking on all the cleaning and management one bit. In fact, there is a joy in working towards making our home comfortable and pleasant place for us and any guests we may have! (This perspective is key to decreasing the drudgery of housework!).

     Family time is my absolute favorite in life! I'm a bit selfish with it too because I do not want to trade family (or hospitality) time for something like cleaning. Therefore, I try to accomplish all my tasks to be completed while he's at work (I work while he works!). We then have our evenings and weekends to focus on each other or on friends. This can only be accomplished if I resolve to tackle a few tasks each day. 

     I enjoy using a list or routine because I've learned the value of maintaining cleanliness versus having one massive cleaning session. Cleaning a little bit each day also makes the job much easier, and decreases the reliance on harsh chemicals. When the task is left undone regularly, filth begins to grow and the harsh chemicals and hard scrubbing then becomes necessary. Yuck! I much more prefer to use more natural cleaners and less hard scrubbing, and that can only be done with regular maintenance. 

     The following is my list/routine I use as a guide. I rarely abide by it perfectly. The goal of any organizational tool isn't the achievement of perfection, but the simple action of progress. A clean home is lovely, but what is most important is the meaningfulness that is created within it's walls.

Download Cleaning Routine

Linked up at: What Joy Is Mine, The Modest Mom Blog, The Better Mom, A Mama's Story, The Alabaster Jar, Growing Home, Time-Warp Wife, Cornerstone Confessions, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Homemakers, We Are THAT Family, Raising Mighty Arrows, Our Simple Country Life

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Join Reviving Homemaking on Facebook!

Visit the Reviving Homemaking Etsy Shop!

Follow Reviving Homemaking on Pinterest!

Managing a Small Kitchen

                                           

      After having lived in and looked at many apartments, I've come to the conclusion that the designers must expect apartment dwellers to eat out instead of cook. The typical apartment kitchen is unreasonably small! My husband and I, however, spend a considerable amount of time in the kitchen preparing meals. For us, the first room we look at in a unit is the kitchen. Our requirements are that it must be open on at least two sides (closed on three results in a very hot environment with little ventilation) and enough counter top space to house our oversized stand mixer and microwave as well as provide adequate working space. As far as storage is concerned that is where we are more flexible by allowing creativity to make up for limitations. The following is a few ideas for how to manage in a small kitchen. If you're working with a larger space, then some of these ideas may not be appropriate for you.  As part of the Home Sweet Apartment Series, though, we're focusing solely on small kitchen solutions. 

1) Determine Your Most Necessary Tools

      There are an exaggerated number of kitchen gadgets and tools. Many of these items are single purpose and can be replace by a simple knife. When selecting kitchen tools, select items which will either be used a lot or can be used for multiple purposes. I recently determined that the inner basket of my salad spinner (an item we use weekly) doubles as a colander, thereby eliminating the need to have both of theses items. Another example is our mandolin that has multiple blades for multiple cutting purposes. I originally had a box grater and another smaller grater, but then decided that the mandolin could accomplish the same result. I now just have the one tool instead of three. Instead of a large drying rack, I simply spread a towel across the counter on which to set the clean dishes to dry.  As you work more and more in your kitchen you'll discover which tools are important for your cooking and which can be excluded. 
     Of the tools you do have, choose a collapsible option whenever possible. The ability of an item to collapse has become one of my favorite features. There are more and more items being produced with this space saving feature in mind. They may be a little pricier upfront, but not near as expensive as having to pay extra rent to have extra space just for storage. 

Collapsible Produce Keeper

                    

                              Collapsible Cake Carrier

                                    

Collapsible Prep Bowl Set

     Large 3-Compartment Eco Silicone Collapsible Lunch Box

                          

2) Create Counter Top Space By Simply Clearing It Off

        Counter top space is so valuable! Not only does items left sitting out decrease your working space, but it also creates visual clutter causing your kitchen to look even smaller. Chose the items that you cannot move easily to store elsewhere (stand mixer, microwave etc) to leave out. There are also items like spice racks, utensil holder, knife block and canister sets that are typically seen on the counter tops. There are a couple of things to keep in mind when displaying these items. For instance, spices will remain fresher longer in cooler, darker spaces. The kitchen environment can be a sticky, greasy place and so utensils are ideally best kept covered. As far as canister sets go, there is usually not so great a kitchen space that pulling them out of a cabinet is too inconveniencing.  Nonetheless, if you use it often, like it a lot, or the other cook in your home enjoys it's place on the counter then select a couple of your most used items and limit the display to those.

3) Maximize Freezer Space With Storage Systems

         You can read more on my organization system for maximizing freezer space in a previous post, but I will try to offer a small bit of that again. I really enjoy having a wide variety of items in my freezer. I also enjoy not having to dig for it when I need it. One way that we make a small freezer work is that we don't have bulky boxes of prepared food to store. I freeze everything flat in measured serving portions in pint bags. Since there is only two of us in our family, each pint bag contains only two servings of meat, vegetable, soup etc. Because the bags are flat once frozen, then stack upright nicely in the two-tiered sliding basket  system. I simply grab the item I need when I need it and have no worries about digging or thawing too much. Items that don't store flat are kept in the middle with a shelving rack. Lastly, I turned off the automatic ice maker and removed the bucket in preference for much smaller ice trays.                                                                                              

                                       

4) Get Creative With Storage

         Our home canned items are stored on top of the cabinets. They are up and out of the way while still fittingly displayed. The cabinets on the opposite side store our empty canning jars. A word of caution for this storage solution is that cabinets can fall so be careful with putting too much weight up there. 

          You can also use the space on top of the refrigerator for storage. Choose more attractive displays than cereal boxes, though. We keep one of our produce bowls there and a decorative basket that is used to house extra placemats, aprons, and pot holders. 

          Lastly, kitchen items don't have to be kept entirely in the kitchen. If you have a dining room, then it's perfectly appropriate to use that space as well. A cubed storage shelf or bookshelf nicely decorated with your extra napkins, drinks, dry goods etc. is a great addition to the room. Plus, the top surface can be used to sit coffee or tea pots or as a service area for guests (snack bar, desert bar etc). If you're really squeezed for pantry space in the kitchen itself, then use a full size bookshelf unit and clear, labeled jars for your dry goods. The key to keeping it from looking cluttered is to make it a decorative display in addition to storage, and maintain a cohesive look between the items. 

Take advantage of open spaces like above your sink. I have a piece of elastic that I can string across to clip bags to dry, a verse or word of encouragement to read over as I wash dishes, or a recipe card to reference while cooking. When not needed, I can simply slip the line off the hooks on each side and place it out of sight. 

5) Limit Your Pantry

        Our pantry looks rather bare in comparison to some, but we have everything we need to prepare two to three full meals each day. We do this by limiting our pantry to the basics: sugars, flours, oats, cornmeal, grits/polenta, cornstarch, pastas ect. We buy mostly fresh foods, and then create from scratch anything else we need. The result is our entire pantry cummulatively fitting on about five small shelves (including spices). Since we cook a lot from scratch we don't limit ourselves in having a large selection of spices. We have a three tier shelf and two swivel shelves for all our spices.  The swivel shelves are fabulous because they utilize vertical space and swing out so that I have easy access to everything. The larger packaged items are stored on the tiered shelf to the left. 

       While we're discussing the pantry, I have really enjoyed having labeled containers for items I keep on hand at all times. They are uniform in size and easily stack which are so valuable in small spaces. Setting up a pantry with containers can be expensive, however. Keep in mind that you don't have to go out and buy every container for every item at once. In fact, it's wiser to wait a bit to learn what you use enough to keep and how much of it you will want to keep. There are actually a handful of items in my pantry that are on the waiting list for containers. It's okay to organize piece by piece, and when you're working through establishing steady financial ground this is precisely what you want to do. Add a piece when you can and in the meanwhile enjoy what's already there.     

Read Other Posts in the Home Sweet Apartment Series:
*Homemaking While Apartment Living: Part 1, Part 2
*Concepts For Small Space Living
*Floral Wreath Tutorial

Linked up at: A Mama's Story, The Alabaster Jar, Homestead Revival, The Better Mom, What Joy Is Mine, The Modes Mom Blog, Covered in Grace, Raising Arrows, Time-Warp Wife, Far Above Rubies, Thankful Homemaker, A Pause on the Path, Cornerstone Confessions, Women Living Well, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Homemakers, We Are THAT Family


*Note:The product links and images above may contain affiliate links to Amazon.com. Reviving Homemaking is an affiliate of Amazon.com, and as such receives compensation for each purchase made through the links.  

        -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Join Reviving Homemaking on Facebook!

Visit the Reviving Homemaking Etsy Shop!

Shucking the High Cost of Summer Drought

     My husband and I recently took a trip and all along the way the above scene was what we saw. Corn fields ought to still be green this time of year, but this year's extreme hot and dry weather has devastated crops. This situation isn't unique to the few states we crossed as it can be found all across the country. Taking into consideration that one fourth of products on store shelves ranging from foods to toiletries contain an ingredient derived from corn (3), not to mention the use in animal feed and automobile fuel, the impact will soon be evident by means of higher prices on an extraordinary amount of products we all consume. There are other crops that have been impacted by the drought. However, because corn is the largest crop grown and most diversely used it will be the one that the most attention will be given. There are a few ways to lessen the toll increasing prices will have on the family budget. Some tips will be appropriate to do now before the prices increase such as stocking up while supply and prices are still good, and others can be done when the true need arises.

Groceries
     Groceries will be the biggest area to see high prices. Three quarters of our grocery products contain a corn-derived ingredient (5). These components can be found in nearly every packaged/process/convenience food. Moreover, animal feed is comprised of corn or corn products. As a result, meat and dairy products are expected to also increase as high as up to 10%(5). 

Suggestions:

     ~Make the shift from packaged/processed/convenience food products to real/whole foods. Begin learning how to work with raw ingredients to create meals yourself. In essence, take a back to basics approach when it comes to food and meal preparation. You'll be surprised at how much you'll be able to do with your own hands! Familiarize yourself with corn-derived ingredients and select other options whenever possible.

     ~Prices aren't expected to increase until the end of 2012 or beginning of 2013 (5 & 6), and so take advantage of the prices currently in meats by stocking up in your freezer. Keep in mind that not all meats have the same life in the freezer. For instance, ground meat will keep well for up to three months while steaks and roasts will last up to six months. 

     ~If you can afford it, select grass-fed meat and dairy products. Although these animals aren't given corn in the same fashion as conventional animals, there may still be a price increase. Grass-fed meats and diary products are a better choice regardless of conditions, but are very pricey. If you can allot for it in the budget, then this would be a good time to go for it. If not, then wise use of whatever you can afford is best.

     ~Decrease consumption of meat or dairy products and supplement with vegetarian options. Plan menus to include meatless meals. Use beans and quinoa for a protein source.  You don't necessarily have to cut out meat or dairy products entirely because prices will be high. Just find a balance between meat meals and veggie meals. (My hubby is a meat-lovin' man, but we've done half meat and half mealtless meals each week and been satisfied in doing so. It is possible to do even if your man loves meals with meat as the main portion).

Automobile Fuel
     Changes in the price of crude oil as well as corn-derived ethonol will impact the gas prices.

Suggestions: The greatest strategy here is to apply ways to conserve gasoline usage.

~  Maintain your vehicle and tires in optimum condition.

~ Limit how much you drive by skipping trips or doing your errands all at once. Not only will you save in gas, but also in the wear and tear of your vehicle!

     

Electricity
      Electricity costs increase during a drought. Unlike the corn related issues stated above, higher electricity costs result from a decrease in water used to cool the generating plants and excess work required to keep your home cool in high temperature weather. My husband and I have seen this result in our bill compared to last year and you probably have too. 

Suggestion: The greatest strategy here is to again apply ways of conserving. 

     

~Set your thermostat to the highest tolerable temperature. Attempting to keep a 70 degree or less home in 100+ degree weather is tough on the system. You don't have to sweat in your own home, but if you need a sweater then perhaps bump up the setting.

     

~Use heat generating appliances early in the morning or late at night. The oven, stove, clothes dryer etc. put out heat that warms your space and causes your air conditioning to kick on more frequently. Simply, move the time of day you conduct this activity. On extremely hot days, plan salads for meals to give the stove a break. Also, clothes dried outside save a lot of energy not to mention leaving them sun-bleached and fresh smelling!

       All of the above are simply suggestion for how to lessen the impact that is expected to be had from this year's drought-ridden corn crop. Yes, the prices will likely go up but these things generally do fluctuate. The best tip of all is to not panic. Following just a few of these tips will help you to not feel the impact as much. Choose what is appropriate for your family. If you notice, all of the mentioned suggestions are valid regardless of the external conditions. It's wise to conserve and be mindful of what we consume regardless of economic/agricultural prosperity or decline. In fact, doing so during a plentiful time will allow you to better handle a time of less. 

Additional reading:
1. Corn-Derived Ingredients
2. List of Corn Products (click "Corn Products" under the header "Market")
3. Issues in American Commodity Farming
4. In a World Without Corn...
5. How the Drought Will Affect Consumers (and What You Can Do About It)
6. How the Drought Will Cost You

Linked up at:Your Thriving Family, Thankful Homemaker, Growing Home, A Mama's Story, The Alabaster Jar, Homestead Revival, The Better Mom, Covered In Grace, Raising Arrows, Deep Roots at Home

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Join Reviving Homemaking on Facebook!

Visit the Reviving Homemaking Etsy Shop!