I haven’t bought a can of tomatoes in over two years. Or canned beans. Or canned anything, really. And honestly? I don’t buy much pantry food at all anymore.
Food Preservation
Most people don’t think about how to prepare for a layoff until they’re sitting in an HR meeting. By then, you’re already behind. The families who come out of job loss without a crisis aren’t necessarily the ones who earn the most — they’re the ones who built their life to be less dependent on […]
The job market is not what it was two or three years ago. Hiring has slowed, layoffs have picked up, and a lot of people are sitting with a low-grade anxiety about what’s coming. If you’ve been watching the news, watching your company, and quietly running the numbers in your head — this post is […]
Last year, we decided to invest in a freeze dryer. And despite its hefty price tag, it really came down to one thing: I knew that I wanted my family to have a pretty extensive supply of long-term food stored for a variety of reasons, including general preparedness, but also knowing we want to live […]
Can I confess something? Last weekend, I found myself standing in my kitchen at 6 AM, still in my pajamas, surrounded by watermelon rinds and sticky counters, grinning like an absolute maniac. Why? Because I had just finished my first batch of canned watermelon lemonade, and honey, it was LIFE-CHANGING. You know that feeling when […]
Can we talk about one of my absolute favorite summer traditions? There’s something so incredibly satisfying about transforming a basket of sun-ripened peaches into jars of golden goodness that’ll brighten your pantry all winter long. If you’ve been wondering how to can peaches, you’re in for such a treat! This process connects us to generations […]
Can we talk about the scam that is grocery store orange juice? You’re paying premium prices for something that tastes nothing like actual oranges and contains ingredients you can’t even pronounce. Meanwhile, when orange season hits and you can buy a whole case of gorgeous fruit for less than what you’d pay for two bottles […]
Let’s be honest – when was the last time you bought grape juice at the store and thought, “Wow, this tastes like actual grapes”? Probably never, because most commercial grape juice tastes more like sugar water than the beautiful fruit it’s supposed to represent. But here’s what I find fascinating: your great-grandmother probably knew exactly […]
There’s something magical about opening a jar of homemade lemonade concentrate on a dreary February morning. The bright, citrusy aroma instantly transports me back to those sweltering summer afternoons when my grandmother and I would stand side by side in her steamy kitchen, transforming bushels of lemons into liquid gold. She’d always say, “Honey, this […]
There’s something deeply satisfying about opening a jar of homemade tomato sauce in the dead of winter and tasting that burst of summer sunshine. I remember the first time my grandmother taught me how to can tomato sauce—her kitchen filled with the rich aroma of simmering tomatoes, steam rising from bubbling pots, and rows of […]
There’s something deeply satisfying about opening a jar of home-canned green beans in the middle of winter and tasting that bright, garden-fresh flavor. I remember the first time I successfully canned my grandmother’s green beans — it felt like I was carrying forward a tradition that connected me to generations of women who understood the […]
Throughout history, humanity has wrestled with a timeless question: should we stand alone or lean on others? At the heart of this struggle lie two powerful ideas—self-reliance vs self-sufficiency. The tension between independence and collaboration has shaped societies, driven innovation, and sparked countless debates. Though often used interchangeably, these concepts chart very different paths for […]
Freeze-dried pineapples are one of those snacks that feel like a little piece of sunshine in every bite! Sweet, tangy, and oh-so-delicious, they’re not just tasty—they’re practical too. The best part? You can easily make them at home! They hold onto most of the nutrients from fresh fruit, but with the bonus of a long […]
Freeze-dried limes might not be the first thing you think to add to your pantry, but let me tell you—they’re a total game changer! These zesty, feather-light citrus slices have quickly won over home cooks, professional chefs, and anyone aiming to be more self-sufficient. Why? Because they’re bursting with flavor, incredibly versatile, and last for […]
Cooking from scratch—it’s a phrase you’ve probably heard tossed around a lot lately. But what does it really mean? With popular influencers like Nara Smith and Ballerina Farm making the “ingredient household” lifestyle look effortlessly beautiful, it’s natural to wonder: is a cooking-from-scratch lifestyle even doable for most of us? Especially when you throw kids […]
Learn how to make your own brown sugar at home – with just 2 ingredients. It’s so simple and only two ingredients so you may never buy traditional brown sugar at the store ever again! All you need is granulated cane sugar and molasses. I include recipes that make it easy for you to make […]
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My 2020 Wake Up Call
Life
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I’m going to provide you with a complete apothecary shopping list so that you can kick off your journey in an effective and affordable way.
Apothecary Essentials & Must Haves
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A self-sufficient pantry isn’t about hoarding or trying to live off the grid; it’s about control, freedom, and smarter choices.
How To Build A Self-Sufficient Pantry
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