BECOME A STUDENT IN THE FOOD STORAGE FEAST ONLINE COURSE Learn skills to turn basic foods into delicious meals all year long. The Food Storage Feast Online Course pays for itself with a bounty of amazing meals, it’s the education you can eat! Food Storage Feast Endorsement: “Food Storage Feast is one of the most important recommendations I can make for your preparedness. Chef Keith has changed my entire perspective on how to really enjoy living off food storage.” -Joel Skoussen, Author Strategic Relocation, Publisher World Affairs Brief HARVEST EATING SPICE BLENDS ARE NOW SHIPPING We’re excited to share the news that the Harvest Eating spice line is back! The supply chain issues have eased, and packaging is readily available in the quantities we need. Initially, we will have the following varieties available: Grilled Chicken Steakhouse Blend Carolina BBQ Northern Italian Check out our spice master pack containing 6 cans of our best-selling spices, perfect for Christmas gift giving, save $11 dollars and get free shipping. Montana Steak, poultry seasoning, and a breakfast sausage blend will also come later this year. Our wholesale prices have increased substantially but we have kept prices the same as before. WHAT IS ON THE MENU: Pork Roast Pork Green Chili with white beans Stewed Apples Rooibos Tea FOOD INDUSTRY AND HARVEST NEWS: Ramen Maker Invests $228 Million in New Plant As Demand Surges The Shit Show At Beyond Meat Continues As Sales Slow 6 Quarters In A Row And Debt Mounts Mounting challenges in plant-based meat Last week, Brown issued a dire outlook for Beyond Meat. While he said there were pockets of strength for the firm, Brown said he was “disappointed” by Beyond Meat’s results in the most recent period and that he expects “current headwinds to persist in the coming quarters.” TODAY’S MAIN TOPIC: Proper Thanksgiving Stuffing (dressing) Is Easy, Just Follow These Simple Methods As many of you know I come from NJ and that means I call stuffing stuffing, not dressing like they do in the southern part of the country. Once you decide on what name you’re calling this concoction, you have to decide if you’re going to actually stuff this stuff into your turkey. For me that is not happening, I NEVER stuff the turkey. I find it increases the mass and slows the cooking time down, plus I want the stuffing to be fully cooked and not have partially raw turkey juice in it. So, to make sure it’s safe, and fast, I cook it separately. Lastly, I like some crispness to my stuffing, which is not attainable if it’s stuffed into the bird. What you want to put into your stuffing is another decision point, they all have some type of bread but cornbread often shows up to replace basic white bread. Typically aromatics are present such as onions, celery, green peppers, bay leaves, herbs, etc. Most stuffing is moistened with chicken or turkey stock to prevent dryness. In my mind, the most important ingredient in stuffing is the woody herb sage. Sage is the glue that holds Thanksgiving together in my opinion. Sage is a strong flavor but for me, it’s intoxicating and brings so many fond memories of this holiday meal we all love so much. I always have sausage in my stuffing, the kind that has sage in it, apples are also usually added for some sweetness but this year I plan to swap those for butternut squash and keep the apples on the side. Let’s talk about the actual method of making the stuffing. Here is what you need: 2 half-sheet trays with cubed bread 1 large onion, diced 1 lb Jimmy Dean sage sausage 3 stalks celery 1 small green bell pepper minced 1 granny smith apple, diced 2 tsp rubbed sage salt and pepper to taste 3 cups turkey or chicken stock HOMESTEAD TSUNAMI: Choosing the best duck breeds for a small homestead depends on your specific needs, available space, and climate. Here are some popular duck breeds known for their suitability in small homesteads, considering both meat and egg production, as well as ease of keeping: 1. Khaki Campbell: - Egg Production: Khaki Campbells are excellent layers, known for their high egg production. They can lay up to 300 eggs per year. - Meat: While not as large as some other breeds, Khaki Campbells can still provide a decent amount of meat. - Ease of Keeping: They are relatively easy to care for and are known for being active foragers. 2. Pekin: - Meat Production: Pekins are one of the most popular meat duck breeds due to their rapid growth and plump, white meat. - Egg Production: While not as prolific as some egg-laying breeds, Pekins still lay a respectable number of eggs. - Ease of Keeping: Pekins are known for their calm and friendly temperament, making them easy to handle. 3. Indian Runner: - Egg Production: Indian Runners are excellent layers and can produce around 200 to 300 eggs per year. - Meat: They are not large ducks, so they are not the best choice if meat production is a top priority. - Ease of Keeping: Indian Runners are known for their upright posture and are good foragers. They adapt well to various environments. 4. Buff Orpington: - Meat Production: While primarily a meat breed for chickens, Buff Orpington ducks also provide a decent amount of meat. - Egg Production: They are good layers, producing around 150 to 200 eggs per year. - Ease of Keeping: Buff Orpingtons are known for their calm and friendly demeanor, making them suitable for small homesteads. 5. Rouen: - Meat Production: Similar in appearance to Pekins, Rouens provide good-quality meat and are a larger breed. - Egg Production: While not as prolific as some other breeds, they still lay a reasonable number of eggs. - Ease of Keeping: Rouens are hardy and easy to care for, making them suitable for beginners. Remember that the quality of care, diet, and living conditions also play a crucial role in the productivity and well-being of your ducks. Additionally, local regulations, climate, and available space should be considered when selecting duck breeds for your small homestead. **Please note: I have never owned a duck, so while this is informative, it’s not real-life experience. To see some excellent real-world advice check out the Duck Chronicles by Jack Spirko, a YouTube series that shows just about every aspect of raising ducks you could imagine. They don’t call him the redneck duck farmer for nothing! ECONOMIC NEWS: The United States economy, once considered the bedrock of global financial stability, is facing a myriad of challenges that are causing concern among economists and everyday Americans alike. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of the slowing real estate sector, the collapsing bond market, soaring inflation rates, and the repercussions of sky-high fuel prices. These factors collectively pose a significant threat to the budgets of everyday Americans, painting a picture of economic uncertainty and financial strain. Moodys Follows Fitch and Downgrades US Credit Worthiness Citing high debt to GDP, interest costs rising to a trillion dollars per year, a funding crunch that seems to need a few trillion dollars every other month or so to avoid a government shutdown. Slowing Real Estate Sector: The real estate market, long regarded as a key indicator of economic health, is experiencing a notable slowdown. Housing prices, which have been steadily climbing for years, are now showing signs of moderation. This deceleration can be attributed to various factors, including rising interest rates, tightening lending standards, and a glut of inventory in certain regions. As the real estate market cools, homeowners may find themselves with diminishing property values, impacting their net worth and potentially hindering their ability to access credit. Collapsing Bond Market: The bond market, often considered a safe haven for investors, is facing its own set of challenges. Yields on government bonds have been on a downward spiral, indicating a lack of confidence in the broader economy. This collapse in the bond market can be linked to concerns about the Federal Reserve's monetary policy, inflationary pressures, and the overall economic outlook. As bond prices fall and yields rise, the cost of borrowing increases, affecting everything from corporate debt to mortgage rates. High Inflation on Everyday Items: Inflation, a persistent concern for any economy, has reared its head in the form of high prices on everyday items. Consumer goods, groceries, and services are all experiencing price hikes, eroding the purchasing power of the average American. The surge in inflation can be attributed to a variety of factors, including supply chain disruptions, increased demand as the economy reopens, and rising production costs. Everyday Americans are now grappling with the reality of stretched budgets and the need to allocate more of their income to cover essential expenses. Sky-High Fuel Prices: One of the most visible impacts of the current economic challenges is the surge in fuel prices. The cost of gasoline has reached levels not seen in years, driven by factors such as geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and increased global demand. Higher fuel prices have a cascading effect on various sectors of the economy, leading to increased transportation costs for goods and services. Everyday Americans are feeling the pinch at the pump, with the increased cost of commuting impacting their household budgets. Impact on Everyday Americans: The convergence of these economic challenges poses a formidable threat to the financial well-being of everyday Americans. Homeowners may see the value of their biggest asset decline, while those looking to enter the housing market may find it increasingly unaffordable. Rising interest rates and a collapsing bond market can result in higher borrowing costs for individuals and businesses alike, stifling economic growth. Meanwhile, high inflation and soaring fuel prices contribute to an overall increase in the cost of living, putting a strain on household budgets and potentially exacerbating income inequality. Conclusion: The current state of the US economy paints a complex and challenging picture. The interplay of a slowing real estate sector, a collapsing bond market, high inflation on everyday items, and sky-high fuel prices has created an environment of economic uncertainty. As policymakers, businesses, and individuals navigate these challenges, a comprehensive and strategic approach is essential to foster economic resilience and ensure the well-being of everyday Americans. In the face of these economic headwinds, the nation must seek innovative solutions and prudent policies to steer the economy back on a path of sustainable growth and prosperity. PRODUCT RECOMMENDATION: Hank’s Belts are extremely high-quality leather belts that last a lifetime. Made in New York the company has been in business for over 70 years making these heritage belts. After tiring of cheap imported belts failing in a few months I had enough and invested in 3 Hank’s Belts that I expect to use for decades. I owned a Carhart belt for 15 years that finally came apart after a lot of hard use. After living with the Hanks belts for a while now, I have no doubt they will endure. CLOSING THOUGHTS: There are many facets of a great Thanksgiving dinner, stuffing is certainly one of them. RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE:   LINKS TO CHECK OUT: Harvest Eating Spices Support Harvest Eating Enroll in Food Storage Feast Brown Duck Coffee About Chef Keith Snow LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: On iTunes Fountain FM Stitcher Radio Player FM Google Top Podcast Audible Podbay