"It was something my grandma used to do."  or  "No one does that anymore….."  That's what I used to think when I considered doing my own canning.  A few years ago though I caught the canning bug and I love doing it!  I have also found that it is actually becoming popular again.  I use canning at home as a way to save money on groceries and a great way to provide healthy options for my family.  I like knowing what is in the food I feed my family.  Although a bit time consuming, home canning is actually quite easy once you get the hang of it. 

Here are some benefits of home canning to consider:

You can often find fruits and vegetables at great prices throughout the season.  Get to know a local farmer or shop at your local Farmer's Market.  By buying produce in bulk you will save money!  Last week I purchased a bushel of tomatoes from a local farmer for $20. I know the farmer, I could see her farm, and the tomatoes were picked that day!  The next day I turned those fresh tomatoes into 14 quarts of tomatoes.  A bushel of tomatoes is about 40 lbs!

Talk to your neighbors.  Maybe they have or know someone that has a peach tree and they are willing to share their fruit.  Again last week, my son and I went and picked about a bushel of peaches from a neighbor's tree and then I came home, peeled and froze peaches in quart size freezer bags.  I will be able to use them in cobblers, smoothies, pies, and as a side dish with breakfast. 

I also found that another neighbor had pickling cucumbers she wasn't going to use.  By combining those with cucumbers from my own garden I have canned about 20 pint jars of pickles.  (yes we love pickles)

Salsa, Spaghetti Sauce, Chili Sauce, Jams and Relish are all things that I can at my house.  I figure on average I am only spending about .30 per jar for my canned goods.

By canning your own food you are helping the environment.  It reduces the waste of prepackaged foods.  Of course the glass jars and the rings are re-useable. 

You know what is in your food.  In quarts of tomatoes there is tomatoes, lemon juice, and a bit of salt….  THAT'S IT…. no other additives or preservatives that are added to the majority of the food we buy in the stores.

Here are a couple of websites that you can find more information on home canning:

Provident Living

Pick Your Own

National Center for Home Food Preservation

Stay tuned for some of my favorite and simple canning recipes.

This is an AMAZING offer from City Deals! An entire summer of entertainment for a family of 4 for just $34.99 each!

This package includes four (4) “Pass of All Passes”

Each “Pass of All Passes” includes all of the following thru Labor Day 2011 — yep we said 2011!

Questions about this pass? Call 800-970-8824 9am – 5pm MST

Seven Peaks Waterpark
— Unlimited admission on days of normal operation
— A 3% discount on food in the park

Trafalga Fun Center, Orem
— Unlimited Mini Golf
— Unlimited Slick Track
— Unlimited XD Theater
— Unlimited Batting Cages
— Does not include arcade tokens

Trafalga Fun Center, Lehi (formerly Liberty Land)
— Unlimited Mini Golf
— Unlimited Laser Tag
— Unlimited Slick Track
— Unlimited Bumper Boats
— Unlimited Rush Coaster
— Unlimited Rock Climbing
— Unlimited Carousel
— Unlimited Frog Hopper
— Unlimited Kiddie Area
— Unlimited Pirate Ship
— Unlimited Train & Airplane
— Unlimited Mini Track
— Unlimited Drop Tower
(Does not include arcade tokens)

Orem Owlz Games (at Brent Brown Ballpark)
— Unlimited General Admission Tickets
(one ticket per home game per pass)

Utah Flash Games (at McKay Events Center)
— Unlimited General Admission Tickets
(one ticket per home game per pass)

LINK TO “Pass of All Passes”

Try code: TSEARSBC for free shipping. Expiration unknown.

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