Welcome to Home Base! If you are returning for another look into today's Home Base idea  or if this is your first visit, I hope you enjoy what information I have to share. I hope you can use my base ideas in your home.I also welcome your ideas you find work for you in keeping a stable home base  in your life.  Keeping it simple, encouraging others to try, doing what it takes to accomplish a goal are some of the avenues I think about daily. Putting my words to the board is  my way of  helping someone in someway find the easy, simple, and hopefully fun way in making life  just that much less complicated in our busy and complex lifestyles.

Trying something new,revising something old, standing by the standards that still work for me - these are areas I pull my base ideas from. Sometimes these  ideas may seem to be more of a challenge than I figured for a simpler solution to what I trying to do. Other times these idea outcomes are so much easier once accomplished  I say to myself " WOW!! Why couldn't I see that beforehand"?!!  In any event, being simple  and getting it right  matter to me. All it takes  is the base  thought "I can do this"  and I'm off  trying to do that very thing.

That is how today's idea  came about. I want to share a couple simple base recipes for my home seasonings I keep on hand in my pantry.  I use them almost always  when I cook so you will see them in my recipe lists often.  I decided, one day a couple of years  ago, since I use them so often to create my own. I like them because  the ingredients are simple fresh and I know what is in them as opposed to buying off the store shelf. What you buy in a store may contain  additives  that are unnecessary(like preservatives  which I am allergic to). 
I like knowing what I am using  is healthy in content. 

Purchasing these essential products as a whole actually saves me money and time as they last longer and can be purchased at your local  dollar stores, discount / closeout  stores , and bulk food stores  at a fraction of  what  it  runs you on the shelf in your grocery stores.  When I can find these items in bulk and I am willing to pay the  price offered I do it because I know I am saving money and will not have to  run out and get it again for a while.Finding them on sale = BONUS!!!

I  normally reuse the original  store bought container of what I am replenishing , a) because it is a familiar  container and b) it usually is a convenient size  to use  while I am creating  my  foods. I don't want to have large containers on my counter being in my way, it is just a preference because I can get clumsy once in a while. I keep the bulk containers on the pantry shelves  and use them  as I run out of my base. Once they are empty, if they can be reused I will stock  what I need in them, always recycling what I can in my home.

So with that in mind, let's get started!!
This home base is easy and economical and gets used every day in my house. It is preferred over all other salts.

Home Base Garlic Salt
I use EQUAL PORTIONS  of:
1 container Garlic Powder
1 equal amount ( use the garlic powder container as a  measure guide) 
Mediterranean Sea Salt  ( I use  the FINE  type, you can choose  Coarse if you prefer)
1 equal amount ( again use the garlic powder container)  dried Parsley Flakes

In an appropriate size bowl, ( medium or large) depending on quantity you are making, empty ingredients and mix all thoroughly. Store desired amount in current  container and if there is any left over  store it in your pantry in an airtight  container for future use. I keep  unpopped popcorn kernels in my regular use  container to keep the  powder  and salt from clumping. Some people use rice in their  shakers but rice would fall out of the holes in my shaker container.
     Variations for this base- use equal amount of onion powder  instead or/ with original  base.  Add 1/4 amount of ground black pepper  if you like pepper in your food.

Now this next recipe is an all purpose seasoning I use for fish, poultry, meats, soups, casseroles, and anything I think needs a touch more  homemade flavor to it. I have two options I am offering; when I season fish, poultry and meats I use the option  that has soup base added to it. When I season all other savory style  dishes I use  the  actual regular option base.

All Purpose Seasoning
Option 1                                            
Using EQUAL parts  or 1/4 cup per spice:
                 
Dried Parsley                                                                          
Poultry Seasoning 
Paprika
Cumin
Turmeric
Chili Powder

Option 2 
Use equal part 
Powder form Chicken flavored Soup Base
(similar to Bouillion)                        

  Mix all ingredients in a  bowl and put in container. This is good used a s a rub , or just sprinkle into your dishes. 
Add to your breading mix when you are  breading  foods to add another level of flavor.
Feel free to add to or omit to these base recipes  per your preference.


I want to share another tidbit  with you today-
Last weekend I was in the  Tawas, MI area searching out  fun  and interesting things. On Newman Street there are many local owned,  eclectic shops  with fantastic products and one of these shops really caught my eye because everything in it was produced  using natural products  from merchants in the USA!! The owner Cheley  Herman was as charming as her shop Lime in de Coconut, Bath & Body Boutique. Check her  place out online @www.limeindecoconut.tawas,MI and "Like" her page on Facebook, she  has some  awesome offers right now!!! Give them a look -see for some unique and  reasonable priced items.

Today's Home Base Tip -  Do not  miss an opportunity  to tell your friends  you care!
I hope you enjoyed today's offerings. Please join me soon foe more Home Base ideas!

"Commit your work to the Lord, then it will succeed".   Proverbs 16:2