Talented Thursday and my Food Storage epiphanies

I should be writing an article that is due in a few days. But true to form I am procrastinating until the last minute.

My week has been so crazy. Monday started with a very fun trip to St. George for my niece's birthday. Elise is my Lia's same age, they are only a month apart. And Lia loves Elise. For two days after the birthday party and trip to Jumping Jacks I got a play by play of everything that happened from Lia. Tom and I left the festivities a little early to attend a Rick Springfield concert at Tuachahn theatre. I have to admit I had no idea what this guy sang. Although once I got there I recognized most of his songs. We got free tickets and I have to say that he was very entertaining and the crowd was hilarious. This is only the third concert I have ever attended. None of which have been one of my favorite performers. I think I may have to get Stephanie to take me with her to Rascal Flatts.

Isaac had his second baseball game this week and he did a little better but he is trying hard to improve his game. Friday is game #3.Gymnastics finished up until next September, so that is one thing off my schedule. But I know it will get filled with other things. Becca is so excited she passed off enough skills (and they have a lot) to move onto level 1.

I am busy trying to get ready for my sister and four kids who are going to visit me for six days and that includes cleaning out a section of the basement to make into a makeshift guest room.

OK enough updates.
What I really want to blog about today is my Food Storage epiphanies. Because I started my food blog pantry eats, I have been making a conscious effort to cook with my food storage and pantry staples more often. I used to think those year supply lists they gave out were ridiculous. Who really eats 5 pound of salt a year. I have to admit that I have taken these lists with a wink and a nod, until now. This week I ran out and stocked up on enough salt for at least three months. I have discovered that flour, wheat, honey, rice and all these other staples really are usable in a real diet and that I actually do need the major amounts listed on those handy year supply lists. It has been such an eye opener. I have also learned a lot about what additional items I want or need in my food storage. Seriously, I can't live without some chocolate, artichoke hearts and lots and lots of fruit. I am really grateful that I have started to cook outside my comfort zone. I feel like I could actually understand what it means to start being frugal and self sufficient. And that leads me to the Talented Thursday portion of my post.

Courtesy of my food storage stocking efforts, I now have a lot of tuna in my basement. In an effort to get creative I tried this beautiful and yummy recipe by one of my new favorite food bloggers, Sunscaper. She always has such creative recipes on her blog. Tonight I made her recipe for TMTs or Tuna Melt Tomatoes. My family actually ate them, including miss picky Becca. I am not going to post them on my food blog because they were from someone else's post but you can just go visit this great blogger for the recipe. My only suggestion is to add a little extra mayo. The melts were a little dry. And don't substitute dried bread crumbs for the authentic Panko (which will now become part of my food storage needs by the way) The Panko makes all the difference.