OK to be very honest I never ever had the intension of canning, nor did really know that much about it. Well in the last year we moved from sunny southern California (in the big city of LA) to a small town in Idaho. Let’s just say … social complexities changed. Here it’s a way of life to can. There is even a season to do it! WHO KNEW?
Well it sounded like a good idea and almost all of my new friends canned something in some way or another. So I decided to give it ago too. And staying true to my own form … I went all out. I got a recipe book and read it almost from cover to cover. I hopped on line to learn even more. I started watching YouTube videos to watch people can. I was hooked.
And as I was canning this season I had a lot of my friends on my FB page say, well you don’t have a garden so you really aren’t saving that much money. But that type of comment got me to thinking. True … this year was expensive because I had to buy everything! But I did get better then supermarket prices when I bought straight from the famers, and I was supporting a farm directly. I felt good about that. And I got to talk to the person who grew the food I was feeding my family. I liked that. Then when I prepared the food and canned it myself I know (and can pronounce) every ingredient that went into my food AND I know what it does. I LOVED that.
I am trying to feed my family healthier foods. That is my main goal. Second is to cut out all unnecessary non food items in our food. My husband jokes “there is no food in my food” and that scares me! And saving money really is kind of fare down on the list. I will admit it is a necessity in our family finances to save money. But by this years canning extravaganza, I have learned a lot that I would not know if I hadn’t been researching the canning.
I have a few farmers I can go to next year, for different foods. I found out my dad has a couple of very expensive pickling crocks, so next year we will preserve some pickles too! I found a place where we can rent land for the growing season, and we will have our own garden too next year. Next year, we WILL be saving a lot of money, and having the taste of summer all winter long.
So, yes I think you should can. Support local growers, and know what is in the food you are feeding your family. I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I open my pantry doors and see all the food I canned. I feel good when my family eats it because I KNOW it isn’t bad for them. And yes, I will be saving money too.…. Next year!
