How To...Make Taco Seasoning

I have absolutely nothing witty to say about taco seasoning. There's nothing funny at all about rummaging through your cupboards at 5:15pm and realizing that there's not a taco seasoning packet wedged behind the brown sugar like you thought.


So, be completely obnoxious to all those manufacturers and make some yourself. I literally googled "taco seasoning" and had hundreds of recipes come back to me. I picked this one because I had all the ingredients. That's generally how I run my life.


Ingredients: flour, chili powder, cumin, oregano, cocoa powder (special dark was my choice), salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper (or red pepper flakes 'cause that's what I had) and coriander.


Mix all the ingredients in a bowl







Invest in some pre-ground pepper




Stir it all together. I did noticed that at Sam's Club they have a big jug of taco seasoning for only $3 or $4. I may invest in that, but in the meantime...




Store it in a ziplock bag, a clean canning jar, or a rinsed and washed peanut butter container. I love those things, have 'em all over the house.



Taco Seasoning
Natalie's Original Taco Seasoning*


1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup chili powder
4 tsp cumin
4 tsp oregano
4 tsp cocoa powder
4 tsp salt
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (I substituted red pepper flakes)
1/2 tsp coriander

Mix all seasonings together and store in an airtight container. Add to your foods in place of taco seasoning packets 2-3 Tbsp at a time. Makes 1 cup or so.


*I don't know this girl, and I really hope she doesn't get freaked out when a bunch of food storage-ers check out her site!

It's Tuesday - a new month, a new project!

Every Tuesday, we post specific items you should gather in order to supplement your emergency car kit, your 3-month supply, and your longer-term storage. If you are new to our blog, don't worry! You won't be left behind. Just start up where we are and follow along. You will eventually have everything completed! Once the car kit is complete, we'll be putting together 72-hour kits again (week by week). Once those are done, we'll gather the car kits again. So don't worry, just jump on in and join us where we are today!

We finished gathering our 72-hour kits!! Hopefully many of you have been able to follow along with us, and have your completed kits ready to go! Way to go! If you weren't able to finish you kits, it's ok - we'll get back to them soon. The car kits are much smaller, will only take a few weeks to complete.

Why a car kit? Abbie and I have both found them to be handy because they have basic necessities that we may forget to grab as we leave the house. They are also important because they contain safety items like a first aid kit, jumper cables, and a flashlight. You should make a car kit for each of your cars. If it's not in your budget to do two at once, that's fine; just make one this time around, and make the other one next time.

This week for your car kit, find a box to put everything in. Most of the kit items will be stored in this box, except maybe the blankets (which will be too big). Last time we did this project, many people asked how big the boxes should be, and they were concerned because they drive smaller cars and were unsure a box would fit in their trunk. Don't worry - Abbie's box is only about 14.5 x 7.5 x 10 or so. It's not huge, and it gets the job done. She got hers at Ikea for only a few dollars.

This week for your 3-month supply, make sure you are gathering enough food. Don't forget about snacks and desserts! Of course, these aren't necessary but they sure can help in tough times (I know brownies help me, anyway...). Also, in your grocery lists, don't forget to add things like side dishes. Our recipes that we provide are only main dishes, so you may want to supplement them with things like canned veggies or fruit. Just the other day I was making green bean casserole and noticed that everything was food storage friendly!

We are gathering BEANS in March for our longer-term storage. There's a lot to know about beans, we're going to be having a special guest post series all about them, which I'm looking forward to. As always, we're still putting out new recipes every Friday - thanks to everyone who tries them out and leaves us comments about them. We love your feedback!

Motivational Monday

1 ^aThen shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten ^bvirgins, which took their ^clamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all ^aslumbered and ^bslept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the ^abridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their ^alamps.

8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps ^aare gone out.

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ^aready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was ^bshut.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I ^aknow you not.

13 ^aWatch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 25:1-13