Shipping Baked Goods

 

When you send baked goods, I was told by an veteran mom it’s a good idea to place a piece of bread on top of it and packed in a tin can. That helps with keeping it fresh on it’s long trip.

I’ve sent over cookies and brownies in a plastic bag with a slice of bread in them. You can also use unsalted unbuttered popcorn. I’m not sure exactly what it does, but it sure does help to keep the baked goods fresh.

 I have sent many packages with homemade baked goods. They have taken as long as 3 weeks to get there and they were still fresh when he opened them. Wrap them in plastic wrap, then foil and put in a plastic baggy.

YOU ALL REALIZE YOU CAN BAKE ANYTHING OK IT WILL STAY GOOD I SENT MY HUSBAND A CAKE AND COOKIES HE SAID THEY WERE STILL VERY SOFT THE ONLY THING IS THEY MIGHT BREAK

When I send cookies/brownies, etc. I Saran Wrap each one indivually, place them in plastic baggies and then seal them up in those disposable Gladware containers. You can use tins too, when I used a tin I also lined the top with foil before I closed the lid to seal in the freshness. I read somewhere that if you put a piece of bread in as well it helps keep them fresh, but I have never done that and my boyfriend says the cookies have been fresh anyway. He’s been lucky enough to get my packages in about 7-10 days so if you think it might be longer you may want to include a piece of bread.

A really neat way to send a cake and it stays fresh!! They love this!!!!!!!!!

Cake in a Jar

Get wide-mouth canning jars (pint size). You can find them at Walmart, other stores, or online.

Boil the jars to sterilize.

1 (18.25 oz.) package cake mix (you can use ANY cake recipe instead of packaged)

8 jars with lids and rings

1. Make the cake according to the package instructions or recipe

2. Grease the jar. Put 1 cup of batter in each jar and keep the rims of the jar clean. (I fill mine up 1/2 way–try one first before you make all of them so you know how far to fill)

3. Place jars on cookie sheet on rack on the oven (to prevent them from tipping over). Bake for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes clean

4. While baking, boil jar lids in a pan of water ( I do rings too, but I’m anal)

5. When cake is done, take one jar out at a time and cover with hot lid. Screw on jar ring tightening it slightly.

6. The lid will seal as it cools. Listen to hear them “ping” as they seal. But if they don’t, wait until completely cool and then press on the top of the lid. If it doesn’t move at all, it’s sealed.

7. As the cake cools, it will pull away from the jar slightly. That’s ok. It just means that it will slide out of the jar easily.

8. Unsealed jars should be stored in fridge and eaten within 2 weeks. Sealed jars can also be stored in freezer; however, they should last sealed and unrefrigerated for quite a long time.

9. DO NOT FROST cake in the jar! Send frosting along.

10. Make sure you wrap the jars well (bubble wrap’s preferable, but wadded newspaper or clothing and other items will pad it too).

I’d suggest that you do a trial run of cake in a jars before you decide you’re going to send them. Try ONE jar in the oven before you fill the rest. If you don’t do this, you won’t know how far to fill them and could end up underfilling or overfilling them. If they’re slightly overfilled, mash the lid on top and screw the ring down. It’ll seal and be just fine!

Don’t forget a plastic knife (or two) for the frosting and some plastic forks.

You might want to send instructions on how to get them out–unseal, tap gently, pour out. Or the guys can eat them right out of the jar.

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Care package information

http://www.operationmilitarypride.org/packages.html

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FREE SHIPPING BILL

This bill is for sending our  military in harm way letters carebox for free. 
if this bill passes you  will be able to send your military things for free
it will not cost you anything  to send to your loved one in Harm way.  Take the
time to read they  (congress) is getting ready to vote on this bill thanks

Please invest the couple of minutes  that it takes to complete this request
to your Congressional Representative. It  is truly a worthwhile cause, it's
painless, and it will benefit not only  those sending mail but  also our Service 
Members.

This is an effort to get a bill  passed that would provide free postage for
letters and packages being sent to  our troops in combat zones. Currently,
postage is paid from ones' post office to  either New  Jersey or California,
whichever is closer. Depending on weight, it often  costs up to .00 for family
members and friends to mail these morale boosting  packages to their loved 
ones serving in harm's way.

If you want to help, just click on  the site below and send a note of support
to your Congressional Representative.



_http://capwiz.com/naus/issues/alert/?alertid=7207041&type=CO_
(http://capwiz.com/naus/issues/alert/?alertid=7207041&type=CO)  



Every Military Family Support Group  Member, as a minimum, should be telling
their complete address book to hit this  link. By the way, it doesn't matter
where the addressee in the book resides. The  more distant the location, the
wider the Congressional  exposure.



Unless we get more support and soon, this effort may go  down in flames. For
example, last week Rep Sweeney's (CA) office did not hear  from a single
constituent and Rep McNulty's (CA) office heard from only ten  constituents.

Your help is needed and  appreciated.

Thank you
JOHN

LETTER FROM A CONGRESSMEN

Thank you for contacting me in regard to your concerns
about
proposed legislation to provide free postage on packages
mailed to
our troops serving abroad from their families at home.  I
sincerely
agree that word from home is of the utmost importance in a
deployed or stationed soldier's life.  I recognize that
sending
frequent care-packages becomes expensive for family
members. 

As you may know, Congress is currently discussing three
similar
legislative proposals concerning free postage for packages
sent to
our troops.  The Supply Our Soldiers Act (H.R. 2874)
introduced
by Rep. Harold Ford (D-TN) would provide free postage on
packages mailed by individuals, families, and charities to
troops
serving in combat zones. H.R. 2874 began as H.R. 887, but
was
reconsidered in order conform to the weight and size
dimensions of
the US Postal Services, as well as to alter the source of
funding for
such a proposal. In March of this year, H.R. 887 was
referred to
the Committee on Government Reform, the Armed Services
Committee, and the Committee on Military Personnel. On June
14,
2005 H.R. 2874 was referred to the Committee on Government
Reform, in addition to the Committee on Armed Services.

The Mailing Support to Troops Act of 2005 (H.R. 923)
introduced
by Rep. Vito Fossella (R-NY) proposes to make personal
correspondence from a family member to a soldier serving
his or
her nation in Iraq or Afghanistan postage-free. Under this
bill, the
letter must be from a family member, originate from an area
served
by a United States Post Office and be addressed to a
soldier
serving in either Iraq or Afghanistan, or to a soldier who
has been
injured while serving in these regions. In February of this
year, the
bill was referred to the Committee on Government Reform.

While the various proposals are being considered in
Congress, I
would like to bring to your attention a program that may
also be of
interest to you.  In efforts to curb postal expenses, while
ensuring
packages from home, the US Postal Services (USPS) offers
free
packing materials for the spouses and families of deployed
service
members.  USPS has created a 'Mili-kit' based on items most
frequently ordered for care packages. The free kit includes
five
each of four box sizes, a roll of priority-mail tape and 10
U.S.
Customs forms with envelopes.  The kit can be ordered by
calling
1800-610-8734.  (Choose language, option one, then request
CAREKIT04.)

I will keep your views in mind should legislation come to
the
House floor. I appreciate your correspondence and your
continued
support of our troops serving abroad. I encourage you to
contact
me with other issues of importance to you and your family.
I invite
you to visit my website at: www.house.gov/calvert.

Sincerely,

Ken Calvert
Member of Congress

NOTICE

Anything written to "ANY SOLDIER, MARINE, SAILOR, AIRMEN" is illegal and are usually destroyed. Please write to a specific person.

Writing To The Troops

We receive alot of e-mails from people asking us
"What should I say when I write Someone"
Here is a questionaire you can use, it helps to organize and see exactly what they need and it also will give you a little bio about your soldier.

Please answer so I can send you the best care packages that you will enjoy

Name:
Rank:
Full mailing address:
What are your favorites?
Movie
Type of Movie
Books
Type of Books
Author
Hard/Soft cover
Magazines
Type of Magazines
TV Shows or Channels
Sports
Music
Type of Music
Band
Cartoon
Cartoon Character
Food
Snacks
Candy
Coffee/Tea/Beverage
Type of Coffee
Flavor...
Brand.....
Do you have family?
Are you married?
For how long?
Do you have kids?
How many?
Do you need a birthday card or anniversary card to send home?
Do you have pets?
Do you like sports?
Do you like to watch?
Who?
Do you like to play?
What?
Do you like to read about?
Magazine?
Book?
Who is your favorite?
Who is your least favorite?
What is an interesting fact about
you?
your hometown?
your job in the Service?