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Did you know that some dehydrated foods can last up to 25 years when stored properly? While that is true, I personally try to eat my dehydrated foods within about five years for maximum nutrition, texture, and taste.There are a few ways you can store dehydrated foods to extend the shelf life. The first is by using a mason jar, canning lid, and a canning jar sealing kit. The second is by using mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. Both are effective but based on how you use your dehydrated food you m …

Create Herbal Tea BlendsWhen cool weather sets in, all of the comfort food recipes come out, but one area of kitchen comfort you may not have explored is blending your own herbal teas! Growing and gathering flavorful and aromatic plants for tea can be a year round hobby, but you can just as easily create your tea blends with ingredients purchased in bulk, peppering in your own farmed or foraged additions. Even a small amount of garden space can yield a significant amount of tea makings – a patch …

My newborn was nestled into her make-shift bed on the kitchen floor. My two-year-old had just been toddled up to her bed for an afternoon nap. Now it was my turn to address the boxes of WA state deliciousness – freshly picked, perfectly ripened, peaches.I’d been given step by step instructions from a dear, older friend, who’d been canning for years. The canning skill was not part of my heritage, and this was my first attempt. I may have been a little overzealous about this endeavor, clearly …

Canning tomatoes is a perfect way to preserve the bounty of your garden, making sure the fresh flavors of summer are tucked snuggly in your pantry all year long. Whether you’re making spaghetti or pizza sauce, tomato soup or a hearty stew, home-canned tomatoes offer a depth of flavor that store-bought versions simply can’t match.If you’re new to home food preservation, canning tomatoes is an easy place to start. It’s straightforward, requires minimal equipment, and offers a safe, reliable way to …