Long Term Shelf Life without Artificial Preservatives

Many of our natural groceries can be stored for prolonged periods of time without unnatural preservatives.

Winter squash will stay good for two to three months in a cool dark place, as will onions, beets, and cabbage.

Dried grains and herbs will remain good for several months, as long as bugs cannot infiltrate the packaging.  I keep rice, flour, herbs, and spices, etc. in glass jars.  I still use red peppers I dried several summers ago.  I am seeking ideas away from rice, as I haven't yet perfected the growing process.  By the statement "not yet perfected the growing process"  I mean, so far it's been a dismal failure, but I'm not giving up, just looking into alternatives.  I know I do not want to eat GMO rice that contains the DNA of human liver.

Potatoes will keep quite awhile, but lime sprinkled on them keeps them even longer.  When our society was agrarian, potatoes were a definite staple on the family dinner table, and the last of them in the root cellar toward the end of winter became the seed potatoes of the next year's crop.

Depending upon the growing season for your region, many vegetables can be planted for a second harvest.  Green beans are very quick to mature, so a second crop can be planted after the first one has died out.  When I plant a second crop of green beans, I have to get the seeds in the ground by late July.  I enjoy most salad produce a second time around, replanting lettuce and radishes when the days begin to shorten and cool in late August.

Spring gardens are in and yielding produce by now.  The full on canning season isn't quite here, yet, so do a bit of checking.  You'll be amazed at how much food you can plant later in the summer to enjoy this winter.

What to Do When Healthy isn't So Good

Many parents are switching from soda to juice for their kids and that's good, but . . . prepackaged fruit products that do not contain preservatives can come with risks, as explained in the included link below.

We are going to have to face facts in this nonstop, always on the go world, we've made for ourselves.  When we eliminate preservatives, which is a great idea, prepackaged becomes much less desirable.  Preservatives and prepackaged tend to go hand in hand, and did from the onset.  I, personally, would not want to serve my kids or grandkids something that was prepackaged, that I could not see the contents, yet contained no preservatives.

As one who cans and preserves everything from fruits and vegetables to milk, I use natural preservatives, and excessive heat and pressure.  My natural preservatives are salt or vinegar, sometimes both, and heat not only serves to kill anything that could potentially "grow," it also serves as the catalyst to the vacuum process of canning.  In this process, however; I am using jars I can see through and lids that clearly indicate a good seal or the lack thereof.

These boxes with plastic liners, although I'm sure meet all the high tech standards, do not afford the simple checkpoints most moms and grandmas have always relied upon.  We truly have no idea of the process used that somehow manages to keep liquid in a plastic bag in a cardboard box through temperature changes and shipping.

The simplest way to avoid any chances of contamination while still providing healthy preservative free snacks is to make snacks at home, keep them in the freezer if time is an issue and it always is, or fresh for after school snacks and outings.  As for beverages, filtered water or spring water is always best, especially if there are sports activities.  The body needs plenty of good fresh water and salted nuts or seeds are a great source of protein as well as providing the salt that can be lost in summer activities.  Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are easy to grow, easy to roast and do last quite awhile when stored ahead, when salted in the roasting process.

I think you'll find the linked article very informative.  Why I Stopped Buying Juice Boxes

When "Life" Hands You Lemons

Say Thank you!  Lemons have so many useful purposes.  Our Creator made a real gift in this bright yellow fruit.                                                       

The rest of the old saying . . . "make lemonade."  Life handing one lemons used to be a metaphor for difficulties and yet lemons contain many valuable properties.    Lemon is acidic, so it has wonderful antibacterial properties.  It is also very soothing for sore throats as well as the nervous system. 

Here are 45 reasons why you might be glad to have lemons on hand.

When life hands you lemons; there are so many more options beyond making lemonade.