For those of you who were wondering about where to buy talapia......

Hi all!!!
I've had a few of my readers ask where they might purchase talapia frys....I would contact your nearest aqua phonic outlet. There's a few "farms" on line but they can be very costly and you will need to find out if you can have them and what types are allowed in your area. There are regulations on these little guys and vary from state to state and county to county!
Hope that answers your questions!
Peace!
Sherry

Reminder to stash pet supplies

Don't forget to pack a bag, box or bucket for your pets!!! Think about the following list to assist you.

Canned pet food

(Look for pull tabs for ease)

Dried foods and snacks

A bowl for water 

A bowl for food

Potty pads

Flea repellent

Any meds  your pets may need

A blanket or small bed

Toys

Extra collars and leashes

Extra water!!!!

Most people forget to add water for the pets

A small first aide kit ( antibiotic cream , gauze, ace bandage, peroxide)

Copy of license, shot records

I know this seems like a lot but trust me

You'll be glad you did and so will you pets!

Hope your Monday was excellent!

Blessings and peace,

Sherry

New items from Nu Day Gourmet

 Love this saying....I realize it's been over used but I still like to use it as my daily mantra!

We have some awesome new items available!!!

Looking for a wholesome and healthy alternative to high calorie , high fat and sodium?

These crunchy munchie snacks are almost calorie free!!  

Great big flavors and pure satisfaction !

Atomic Thai green peas 

Thai chilies

, keifer limes, lemon grass and sea salt.

This is NOT for the faint of heart!

Sweet and savory sweet corn

Smokedpaprika

Garlic, jalapino

Sea salt

Just a tad bit of heat but addicting!

Cheddar cheese and broccoli

Broccoli bites and cheddar cheese with a dash of garlic

All our snacks ate gluten free, natural and yummy?

Available by the bag & also in designer blue or rose canning jar gift sets!

Finally a snack that you can feel good about!

$3 a bag 

&

$8 for the snack jar 

Email us at nudaygourmet@gmail.com

One fish, Two fish, Red fish, blue fish....

TALAPIA 

Do you remember that Dr. Seuss Book? It was one of my favorites!

ANYWAYS.......LOL! If you have read some of the older posts you may remember we decided to dabble in raising Talapia to aide in our self sufficiency.

about a year and a half ago we purchased 21 little "frys". We raised them in the house in a large fish tank until they started breeding...Then started another tank for the "Nursery"...Then yet another one for strictly breeding...

WELL, It almost got out of hand! LOL! We now have a huge tank outside and our pond also has about 20 very large males in with the Koi. We estimate at last count we have about 300 talapia now! (Fish tacos anyone???).

We finally got the tanks out of the house (Thank goodness! didn't go with my decor!) 

I guess one of the many redeeming qualities of living in San Diego California is the weather. 

We don't have much cold weather and that's great for these little guys, they need to be at a water temp of at least 70.

As I think about it...We didn't even have a winter this year.... we had out spring bulbs peeking up in January.

Sooooo, Just wanted to give you an update on the Huffman Fisheries!

We have had them for dinner a time or two. I have to say it's nice to know exactly what you re eating and what they had eaten!

All natural , no chemicals, fruit and  veggie raised!

I recommend trying it. Not to sell of course but just for your own consumption. They are very entertaining and very interesting watching the breeding process.

They are mouth breeders. Which means after the eggs have been laid and fertilized the female takes them up into her mouth and keeps them until they hatch and get big enough to let out into the world. She carries so many of them at one time it almost looks like a cloud when she lets them out!

well, guess that's whats up with the aquaponics escapade in our home! 

Feeling blessed!

Peace! Sherry

We're Back!!

Greetings Friends!!!!
OMG! It's been like forever hasn't it!? Well I guess I have tons to tell you about!! And I guess I should start out be telling you about this picture!

We had totally changed Simply Surviving Today meals to Nu day gourmet. We will still keep this Blog as Simply Surviving today, just the products have the name change!

So I will do my best to catch you up on all the changes, the Aquaponics and Life in general!
I hope this finds you and yours well and cant wait to get back into this!

So here's to sharing again!!!
Blessings, Sherry :)

Sooooo, What are YOU canning this season?? My favorite pickle recipe!

 

 

 

Wanted to share
my favorite pickle recipe!

16-20 small pickling cucumbers
2 cups white vinegar
2 cups water
2 TBS Pickling Salt
1 TBS white sugar
4 large heads of fresh dill
4 small cloves of garlic
2 tsp. mustard seeds

1.Cut a thin slice from all the ends of each cucumber.
2. Combine vinegar, water, salt and sugar in a large stainless steel or emamel  saucepan and bring to a boil.
3. Remove your clean jars from the canner and place 1 head of dill in each jar (4 jars)
4.Put 1 garlic clove and 1/2 teas mustard seeds into each 2 cup jar. pack cucumbers and pour hot vinegar mixturfe over the cucumbers. , leave 1/2 inch headspace. Process in water bath for 10-15 minutes.....

Makes 4 2 cup jars!

Enjoy!!!!

Here's a great meal idea! Thai peanut sauce on a bed of rice noodles



Quick and Easy!
This dish is quick and easy and full of flavor!!!!

Here's what you'll need:
1 package of rice noodles
1 cup chunky peanut butter
1/2 cup "May Ploy" sweet chili sauce
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup chopped of each of the following:
Cilantro
green onions
shredded carrots.

In a large bowl empty the rice noodles and add 4 cups HOT water and let sit until noodles are soft (About 7-10 minutes).
While you are waiting on the noodles, put the Peanut butter, the sweet chili sauce and the sugar in a microwavable container and put in your micro wave on high for 2 minutes, take out and stir well until blended.
Strain noodles and place on plates. Pour peanut butter sauce over each plate of noodles. then add the cilantro, carrots and green onions by scattering them all over the top of each plate! There ya go! Quick & Easy!!!!

 Enjoy!!!!
Sherry

Summers here!

Greetings friends!

I hope this post finds each of you well!
It's officially summer here in sunny California! In fact we are in a severe heat warning over the next several days, not so much fun with out air conditioning! Thankfully we have a pool!

So, what kinds of activities remind you of warm summer days? What are some of your favorite things about summer?? AND what can you do to to tie these activities to preparedness?

I LOVE going to the beach! Riding my bike there and playing in the sand, looking for sea shells..That makes me a happy girl! But how to tie that in with preparedness????? Well, bring a bucket and fill it with sand! Take that sand home and it could be used for several things!
you can use it for lining a fire pit, keeping it handy to put outdoor fires out, using it as a natural abrasive to clean rust and grime off of pots and pans....Hey, what about making "Sand" candles with the ends of all those used up candles? So will make something useful and a fun project for you and your family!

Now is the time to get the best produce and fruits! Do you have a friend or neighbor that has an abundance of fruit on their trees? Offer to pick it for them and share the bounty!!!! I know that several seniors in your area would really appreciate it!

My most favorite thing is yard and garage sales! You can find some awesome things for preparedness at those sales!!!! Things to look for:

Candles and glass lamps
good heavy cast iron pots and pans
large stainless steal stock pots
flashlights
camping equipment
hand tools
blankets, sheets and towels
canning supplies
dehydrators
sewing items
new soaps and shampoos from their travels (great size and can be used for bartering!)
DIY books
first aid items like braces and bandages
backpacks (Great for packing extra clothes or activities for your children, also BOB for each car!)
Heavy duty boots and shoes
winter wear ( Long underwear, heavy socks, flannel shirts, coats)
Small games and activities that can be put in a backpack for the kids and adults
tarps, ropes, tent stakes
thermos's
There will be a treasure trove of preparedness items out there for just pennies on the dollar! Make it a family outing! Have the kids help you look for these types of things! I'm all about saving money!
Prepping doesnt have to cost you tons!

Well, PLEASE make sure you put something aside this weekend for your preparedness efforts! It only takes a moment to fill a bottle of water! DO it for you and your loved ones!
PREPARE! SHARE! PRAY!
YOU ARE THE MASTER OF YOUR OWN SHIP!

Have a great day!
Peace,
Sherry

Hello my friends...

With the summer months coming up it makes me think of dehydrating and canning all the wonderful fruits and veggies that we have available in abundance now thru the fall!
In my mind im envisioning myself being surrounded by loads of jars filled with beautiful bright colored jams and   pickles... Happily stocking up my pantry with these priceless yummy delicacies for my family. The summer offerings from mother earth there preserved for my little family to enjoy through out a dark and chilly winter.
As well as large gallon jars filled with delightful mixes of dehydrated soup mixes and fruit snacks! But I'm afraid I'm jolted back to the stark reality that if i'm lucky i'll get to the strawberries I had prepared for the "jam fest" I never got to and put them in the freezer . AND the beautiful peaches I just "Had to Can" last summer, ALSO living in my freezer at this moment!  What is that saying? "Yhe best laid plans of mice and men....?" LOL!
Well, I have decided I WILL get my canning done this summer! And I WILL dehydrate all my planned veggies and fruits for instant meal kits.....I just need to keep reminding myself!!!!!
Are you feeling the same way as I am? Can you totally relate to this post??? I think I may find a friend or two that may want to share in the canning "Experience". This way I think I would be more motivated, get way more things done, have fun and share the bounty!!!!!! SO, what do think? Could this work for you as well?

Well, I have some red onions in the dehydrator to get out! And some work to do...I hope you are having a great day! Enjoy the sun!
Peace!
Sherry
Have you put water aside lately?

"Seeds of Hope"...Lets do this! FOR OKLAHOMA! PLEASE SHARE!

         "Seeds of Hope"






So, This is my thought. There are so many funds and groups getting together funds for Oklahoma. I feel so blessed to be able to live in a country where it pulls together for our own!
I wanted to put together something for the cause that everyone could participate in!!!!! From a child to an adult!
Something that we all could afford, it's not much BUT would mean alot to the people who are trying to rebuild their lives!

I call it "Seeds of Hope"....

Simply Surviving Today will sponsor this.......

If each of us would donate 1 or more packets of "Heirloom"
seeds and a note of encouragement I believe this could be a HUGE blessing and help to the folks in Oklahoma!

I feel this symbolizes the 'Stength" and "hope" we can all have in times of uncertainty and crisis. Wont you share this with all of your friends and loved ones! WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Even in the smallest of ways!!!!!!!!!

If you would like to participate in  "Seeds of Hope" please send your seeds and your note of encouragement to:

SEEDS OF HOPE
C/O Simply surviving Today
1301 S Hale ave. #80
Escondido, Ca 62029


Simply Surviving Today will be gathering the seeds and note thru September 30th. Then we will send them to the "Moore Chamber of Commerce" for distribution.

We would like to thank you ahead of time!
and I will keep all of you posted on the progress! Hummm, I think we should also have a drawing!!!! Everyone who sends in a donation will get their name thrown into the hat for some "Simply" food products!!!!!!!!

And as always...Prepare~ Share~Care & Be4 Aware!

Peace! Sherry

Let's help "LIKE" Protective bunkers and survival on Facebook!!!

Ok My peeps!!!!! 

lets give these fine folks a hand at pushing 

their likes to over 5000 on Facebook!

Not only will you be helping them but you'll get

a chance to win a great prize!

I 

If you check back on the posts on this blog you'll see the wonderful bunkers and awesome store that they have in Lake Elsinore, Ca!!!!!

Protective Bunkers and Survival Center · 2,093 like this

about an hour ago · 

• Help me reach 5,000 likes! Share this page and when we reach 5K, I will give a lucky someone a SURVIVAL BAG ($350.00 Value)

  
  

  Let's all join in and support our like minded brother and

  
  

   sister in promoting this page! 

  
  

  
  

  Thank you!

  
  

  Prepare~ Share~Care

  
  

  And 

  
  

  Be Aware!

  
  

  Peace! Sherry

  
  

  
  

Sorry for being away sooooo long!

Greetings to all!
Sorry about the long absence! Life sometimes gets in ones way!
Well, first and foremost I'll  just say 'Happy Mothers Day!' "Happy Spring" and Hello flowers and gardens!
I just LOVE when all the world is in bloom!

So here's the latest news in a nutshell.......

Bill and I got married last weekend! Yep, he made an honest woman out of me! LOL!!!!!

Our fish population has EXPLODED!!!! We have about 350 NEW babies, and the babies from the last batch are now the size of the first ones that we purchased back last what...October???? The oldest ones are huge! And very prolific!!!!! ANYONE interested is Aquaponics?????? I know where you can get some fish!!!! LOL!

"Simply" dehydrated meal line has been doing really well....We also have several NEW items!!! Soups, breakfast cereals and a awesome new fruit salad!! Also working on putting together 30~60 and 90 day meal buckets! They will have a variety of entrees, salads, side dishes, soups, breakfasts and more! At a very good price! So, if you haven't gone to our web site go check it out!!! We also have MIX~INS, That's the greatest dip mixes ever!!!!!!simply surviving today

Met a really nice gentleman who builds the greatest greenhouse kits!!!! Yep, made here in Escondido! Very easy to assemble and light!!! I will get more info up soon on this product!

Planning to plant my garden soon, should have all been put in by now but well, hey..been busy.....!  We do have the most incredible volunteer tomato plant!!! Its HUGE and its loaded with yellow pear shaped heirloom tomatoes!!!!!

Bill and I are going to have to sit down and design our garden space and hydroponic space! better get it done soon or might as well forget it!

Been saving rain water this spring, which is really something since it rarely rains here!!!! LOL! We are using it for our plants and for the big tank for the talapia.....

Im getting excited that i'll be able to get some canning done soon! We seemed to eat all the jam and pickles i had made this past year....Need to make more to save for the pantry!!!

Just a side note...IF you are dehydrating or canning , check your local grocers and ask if they would be willing to sell the "Less desirable" looking produce for CHEAP! Most smaller stores are much more willing to do this! You can get some great veggies and fruit for next to nothing and can be processed for your food storage! Check also with your farmers markets and veggie stands! It will be worth your while!!!!! And sometimes they will even give it to you free!
Check your neighborhood for fruit trees, most people dont have the desire or the time to pick it and it just goes to waste, Offer to pick it for them and split the fruit! Hey! You never know right?!

I will be working with hard wheat the next few weeks and will be developing some new recipes! So Ill be sure to post those for all to try!!!!

Well I could just keep rattling on and on but I guess I should get dinner done and on the table!

Peace and Blessings!
Nice to be back! LOL!
Sherry

PLEASE read the labels!

Greetings my friends,
Today I was unbelievably appalled!I was checking out other food storage meals and kits and found that one was actually selling a bucket of primarily oatmeal and instant potatoes plus mac and cheese and a "Beef" Flavored veggie stew....Really? What was a bummer to me is no one could get much nutrition from just that!!!! And I have talked to a number of people who have actually bought this thinking they wont need anything else!!!!!
PLEASE, when buying for your emergency food storage read what it has exactly! Dont be fooled!
well, thats my rant and rave for today!
peace, Sherry

California "Dreamin" This and That!

My daughter Shannon and I! Cruisin in the VW On a BEAUTIFUL California day!
Hi all! Thought I'd just ramble today if you dont mind!
It's a beautiful day her in Southern Cali! The sky is blue and the flowers are all in bloom, cant think of a place I'd rather be today!
Was looking around my food storage and found that I'm lacking in quite a few things! We have been using our food storage regularly and haven't re stocked!!! I need to do this as soon as I can!
One thing I do know is our water supply has become quite impressive! Which I hope each of you are storing water as well!
Im so thankful for the fact that we do have these things on hand! It's far better to "shop" at home than going to the store! LOL! Especially since money has been a little tight this past month!
But we havent gone with out much since we have it already!!!
I again urge you to put something aside each time you go shopping! Pick up an extra can or package of something you may already have to purchase and put it in your pantry!

Looking forward to growing tomatoes this season! Hopefully we will have our hydroponics set up soon! I want to start canning again! I still dehydrate constantly!!!!! It is awesome to have everything on hand to make a great soup!

ALSO thinking about making dehydrated meals for cats and dogs! All natural ingredients! And will store for up to ten years!!! LOL! Well what can I say! Always thinking! LOL!

Is anyone else concerned about North Korea?
Living where we do just makes me think we need even more items for our emergency kit! Like iodine tablets...Theres a nuclear reactor not far from our home...Its not up and running right now but still concerns me! Did you know that Seaweed is a GREAT source of iodine? AND tastes good and is fairly inexpensive! Something to ponder......

My prayers are with Boston...I cant even imagine having something like that happen to you or your city! Our world we live in is so so scary these days.....And it just goes to show us we live with a false security living here in the US. That things like this and 9-11 can and did happen to us here!

Well, I know I rattled on and hopped from one thing to another! But I wanted to make sure I jotted down something while I had a break in working!

PLEASE!
Be kind to one another....
Pray for all....
Prepare as you can....
Help others....
Plant some veggies...
Put aside some water......
Share information with others....
Gather How to books....
Share this Blog! :)

Have a most wonderful day!
Peace, Sherry

Well, We've Finally Have things going as they should! :)

 

 

Well, what a process! I had very little idea this whole process in packaging and manufacturing dehydrated food was so involved! LOL! Could even say I was CLUELESS! Hahahaha!
But after ALOT of hard work and perseverance we have gone to the next level!
Our Web site is looking really good with all its new product photos...The products all have nutrition labels AND we are in 3 stores as of yesterday! Whew! I can almost sit back and breath now!
If you think you may want to try a sample of our product, please Email me at :simplysurvivingtoday@gmail.com give me your address, name and a short note on which products you would be interested in. I will be more than happy to send out 1-4 samples to each address.
I'm sure when you try it you'll agree its Tasty! :)
Also at this time I may pull back the reigns and just offer 12 items as well as our "Mix-Ins"which total 4 different dip mixes. Then adding the other products a little at a time. This has been so overwhelming at times! Never in my dreams did I think at this stage of my life I would be starting YET another business! I should start thinking more in the lines of retiring! LOL! Oh well, Hard work keeps you young OR puts you in the grave! havent quite decided on that one yet!LOL!
Hope everyone is doing well!
Peace, Sherry
L!

Fish Tacos anyone???

Greetings my friends!

Well, This past Wednesday we were "gifted" with a bunch of Talapia.. Unfortunately The circumstances that made them available wasn't so nice. Someone apparently went to our friends place of business and cut thru the chain link fence, cut into the pipes that were to the filter system to the tank that his Talapia were in and stopped the flow of water/oxygen. Very sad to say the least!.
I find it so disturbing that people have to be so malicious...But hey, that's the world we live in unfortunately.

Anyways, Bill filet-ed the fish for a few hours and then we made some fish tacos that next evening...I have to say, there is something that just dosent compare with a fish that has been raised on all natural feed as well as fresh veggies! The fish was awesome! We are looking even more forward to when our fish are ready for harvesting!

We just put another few males in the pond, and by the looks of it they are doing well! There is still one male in with about 7 females in our big tank...We hope to get another bunch of babies before we transfer them outside into the pond too!

As far as the "Nursery" we are down to only 12 babies left at this time...Makes me sad but cant imagine having 200 more fish! I would be able to feed everyone I know and then some! LOL!!!!!

So, thats the "Haps" with the fish for now!

Peace!
Sherry

Update on the fish farm experiment!

Greetings all!

Well, it's finally warm enough here so we put 4 of our male Talapia into the pond and after 3 days they are still alive and swimming! Good thing! These guys are over 7 inches long and will just continue to grow like crazy being in the big pond!

On a sadder note tho, I decided to put 2 of the babies, now about 2 inches long in the large tank with the rest of our fish...They seemed to be doing well for most part of the day but after coming home from the market I had noticed that they were half eaten :( NOT making me very happy! BUT I do know now that They will have to stay in the nursery aquarium until we take the rest of the bigger fish outside to the pond....
So, They will have to wait to be transferred until that time.

We have 6 large males and 6 females and are hoping to have another clutch (?) of new babies soon! I have no idea what you would call the new "Fry". The rest of the larger ones will be a great dinner size by the Fall when we have decided to harvest them!

Still trying to get it together for the Hydoponics part. I know we will need to get it up and running soon! Would like to plant and start some of the seeds I got for Organic Bell Peppers! Im excited! I have orange, yellow, red and green! That will be a great start for our Hydoponics garden! And of course LOTS of heirloom tomatoes!

Well, Just wanted to give you an update! Hope all is well with you and yours!
Plant a garden or at least a pot or two of tomatoes!
Collect dry goods and canned items for your pantry and above all........PUT aside water!!!!


peace!
Sherry

Thank YOU for sharing our blog!

Hello!
Well, We have just passed 3000! Thanks to you and all our wonderful friends and readers we have made big strides in sharing emergency preparedness!

Thanks again!
Sherry

We "Simply Surviving Today" dehydrated foods WON the taste test!

Greetings my friends,

Wanted to share a "Sister bloggers Blog"!!!  It's called "Betty B Ready" It's Betty B Ready @blogspot. We were asked if we would like to participate in a blind taste test at one of our favorite preparedness stores here in San Diego County. We of course said "YES!" and brought several samples for them to try. I was very curious to find out how our food stacked up to the BIG names and was willing to take the chance! I too have had a few of the big guys products and can honestly say I wasn't impressed! In fact that's exactly why I created my own recipes and meals!!!!

ANYWAYS>>>> We came in as WINNERS for Nutrition AND TASTE! I'm very happy and PROUD that John Q Public thinks is yummy too! NOT just friends and neighbors! LOL! Please check this Blog out! It's wonderful! Erica and her husband own 3 "Be Ready" stores!

Peace!
Sherry

Wheeewho! We now officially have our products in 2 stores!

Hi all!
Dropping in to let you know we are at 35 products now and are in 2 stores and growing!!!! We now have
Entrees, salads, side dishes, pasta sauces, couscous, salsas and Dip mixes! Its awesome! I hope you visit our web site and check us out!

Peace! Sherry