When my family lived in Coos Bay, in the late 70's, my husband lost his job. Having come from country roots, I dug in and decided we were going to be fine. 
I made sugar free jelly using non-sweetened, non-pulp frozen juice, like apple, cranberry, etc. You heat it, undiluted, in a pot. Put in one package of Slim Set, pour into jars and fill with wax. You can't tell the difference.
Another trick we used, was purchasing enough flour to almost fill a 55 gallon plastic trash container, lined with a black trash bad you can still tie up the top of. How did we keep it from developing weevils? You put a 1 lb. block of dry ice on top, seal the bag, and leave the lid on for 24 hours. That's it!
You can also grow potatoes in clean, boiled sawdust. You boil it to get out the weevils and bugs, then get another 55 gallon plastic trash can. Sprinkle about 4 inches of dried and clean sawdust in the bottom, and put some spud cuttings on top, covering just to the top of the cuttings. When you see 2 to 3 inches of green, gently cover it again, and repeat. When the can if full, there should be a whole can full of spuds. Mine didn't work, since I didn't remember to boil the sawdust, so the bugs got it. However, I got the way to do it from Mother Earth News, so it should work.
I can't say enough about the library, giving us hours of free entertainment. I got lots of puzzles, clothes, and craft supplies at the local thrift shops. I joined the local Gleaners and a food co-op. and coupon exchange. I taught crocheting for food or small amounts of money. My husband fixed peoples cars or machines for trades, and I made all our Christmas gifts.
Poor but Proud from Salem OR
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What is slim let? I want to make sugar free jellies but keep getting told it can't be done. I googled slim let but just got songs LOL.
I used to live in Coos Bay/North Bend myself, in the late 60's, moved to Hillsboro in the early 70's. Thanks for a great little trip down memory lane.
I believe, Slim Let is a pectin. I think I remember my mother using pectin w/ the Slim Let brand on it when she made jams/jellies the same way as described.
Hope that helps and again, thanks for a great trip down memory lane.
I belong to a group here in fla. called FREECYCLE.ORG ALMOST every state has a group. Once you go the the Freecycle.org stie, it will ask you for your area zip code. Then you can locate a group near your home. No money is ever exchanged=people can just donate or collect any item they see posted on line. You will be surprised to see the great stuff that people are giving away.
Is Slim Let the same as Ball Fruit Jell?
I have heard of Slim Set, but not slim let. It is a pectin to make jelly.
I'd really like more info on the jelly. Is it the frozen concentrate (in the cardboard cans) that is used, and is Slim Set the same as Sure Jell, etc. - and packaged in same amount as Slim Set? This seems too easy! I'd like to try it.
Hi: I am Sandi from Poor But Proud. It's called Slim Set, which is the pectin that is used for jellies but has no sugar. I will post the recipe today and it will be on next week.
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