Pioneer Woman at Heart

One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!

One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Adopted Motto

"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~

Friday, October 21, 2016

Hope and Hard Work ~ Appreciation

The other day, our Army daughter stopped in for a porch visit.  She told me, "Mom the only thing I want for Christmas is a jar of pickles."

It's the thing a hard working, gardening, self-sufficient mother wants to hear from her kids - an appreciation for home grown food.  

The problem with health issues today, in my opinion, stands on the fact convenience kills (when it comes to food).  I can only hope that my kids will understand the importance of eating real food.  Even if they have to buy it vs. grow it.

I should have done this with the tomato soup (much chopping involved), but I'll entertain some folks with the art of making tomato salsa.  Mind you this is only one thing to can with tomatoes.  Imagine all the work into our 500# this year.  This shows you how crazy us homesteader/self-sufficient nuts are, ha ha!

First:  You have to prepare the garden, till it, weed it, plant it, weed it some more, then wait for the bounty.  Then harvest those beauties and wash them first with a vegetable scrubber and cold water.  Then fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil.....oh and for me it involves planting, weeding and harvesting of the hot peppers, garlic onions, pre-making the tomato paste from our tomatoes, and growing the cilantro.

Moving on:

Every recipe is a bit different.  Our previously preferred recipe was Fiesta Salsa (a Ball recipe).   We also like this one - Chunky Salsa.
 


 








 









 If anything, maybe this post will show non-canners how much work goes into home canned goods.  Just don't be fooled by those people who cheat and add bad ingredients.  Even the stores in Amish country, who claim their sauce is "all natural" use the worst oil to can it (soybean oil).

The last of the last of the last ....
no more ripe tomatoes.

As of yesterday.  

Although it rained all day.


8 comments:

Mama Pea said...

Excellent and true illustration of what goes into producing healthy, nutritious food for ourselves and families. We must be willing to put in the effort (and it's hard labor and time-consuming to say the least) to obtain food that is not detrimental to our bodies. I can understand why so many have chosen to forego growing and processing their own food and opting for that oh-so-conveniently-available on the grocer's shelves. However, on the whole, that "convenience" food is laden with GMOs, cheap ingredients, down right unhealthy ingredients and, to my mind, substitutes for real food that are poisoning our bodies. I know this opinion sounds very jaded and negative to many people, but just stop to think where the horrific increase in cancers, auto-immune diseases, dementia, Alzheimers, autism (and on and on) comes from. (Pushing soap box back under bed.)

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Mama Pea, you are so right. I see my one daughter buying pop-tarts because I won't and I remind her every time it's not food. It's poison. It may taste good, but it does nothing for her body.

Susan said...

You got a good laugh out of me with Tip 2! It sounds like the steps I have to take to take a break and leave the kitchen with Lovey The Food Shark, circling around. I really do admire your determination and focus - and the great amount of love and care you lavish on your family. Even if pop tarts seem magical to your daughter now, you can hope that all those 'smart' brain cells you have been nourishing with good, non-GMO, organic food will kill off the weak ones (pop-tart loving) in the long run and she'll come to her senses!

Sam I Am...... said...

Yay for you! Congratulations on a job well done! Are you able to get all your organic ingredients locally? I can't get half of that stuff.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Susan, King is definitely a food shark, ha ha! He ate a bowl of egg shells I was saving to toss into my garden. What dog eats egg shells???!!! Oh my gosh...that dog.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Sam I Am, if I can't get it organic, I go without. I found a Costco about a 30 minute drive that is now selling more organic. I may join next spring and drive over and pick up more things in bulk (until my fruit trees produce more).

RB said...

What a nice thing for your daughter to ask for! Our maternal Grandmother made the most delicious dill pickles. They were wonderful. Bro Tom and I would often share a jar of them while watching The Ed Sullivan Show long ago.
I well remember the canning too, especially of the tomatoes. The scent that filled the house was like no other.
Prayers everyone's having a great weekend, and a safe one too.
God bless.
RB
<><

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Thank you RB.