Canning, Part 2

Yesterday was my first day of actual canning (pressure canning).

I was taught by an elder.

And a friend who is in age between us also learned with me.

Three ladies getting together to can.

As generations have prior. A communal thing.

It was an all-day affair.

But, wow, it was worth it.

We did stew meat, ground beef, potatoes, and apples.

I learned how easy canning is but it takes a lot of time. But in stages. You do some work, have wait time time, do more work, repeat.

I learned canning is fun. 

And the peace of mind I have that I have good food preserved is far greater than I thought I would have... because of emergency possibilities... and all the other reasons listed in Part 1 and the other reasons in this blog journal entry.

The three of us wonder why more people do not can. It takes time. Sure. But the benefits far outweigh the things that stop us from canning. I will eat cheaper meals for a bit and sacrifice a little sleep because of the benefits of canning.

And I made plans to do more canning. A lot more canning.

I will do more canning each week. To save and to rotate. To use if I run out of time to cook.

I will not lie. My husband and I eat out a lot. To save time. And that costs lots of money and isn't healthy. This will save time and money and will be healthier.

Hence, after seeing the rhythm of canning, I realize I can journal and blog journal between the work stages of pressure canning.

So I will in time add canning items as a pantry staple. This means I will can every week. So then, after a bit, many meals we eat will be canned items when I get to that stage.

I can fit canning into my schedule and can multitask.

I can even exercise between waiting between pressure canning steps. I can clean, too. 

Canning days mean going nowhere those days. Fine. I know that ahead of time. 

But we can eat canned meal those days or leftovers easy enough.

And I can cook items with having even more leftovers in mind to freeze and can later. 

There are many win-wins here, even with some sacrifice. 

I really like canning. For so many practical reasons.

I am so grateful I have begun the journey.