Tomatoes Using

The English word tomato comes from the Spanish tomatl, first appearing in print in 1595. A member of the deadly nightshade family, tomatoes were erroneously thought to be poisonous (although the leaves are poisonous) by Europeans who were suspicious of their bright, shiny fruit. Native versions were small, like cherry tomatoes, and most likely yellow rather than red.

The tomato is native to western South America and Central America. In 1519, Cortez discovered tomatoes growing in Montezuma's gardens and brought seeds back to Europe where they were planted as ornamental curiosities, but not eaten

Start with great tomatoes and the right cut. You'll get the best results if you buy ripe tomatoes at a farm stand or farmers' market or get them from your own garden. They'll be the tastiest and juiciest, since they've been picked at their ripest. How you cut the tomatoes is important, too. A half-inch dice is the perfect size, because it will give you a juicy sauce while maintaining the integrity of the tomatoes.

Add a good amount of olive oil. The oil serves a double purpose here. First, it combines with the juices drawn by the salt to make the sauce. No oil means no sauce, just tomato juice. Second, a good fruity extra-virgin olive oil will lend its rich flavor to the dish, giving it lots of body and depth.

Toss the sauce with hot pasta. This is key: The heat of just-cooked pasta helps release the flavors in the tomatoes and creates a better integrated dish than if you mixed the sauce with cold pasta. Please send your review to Indo Munch

The high acidic content of the tomato makes it a prime candidate for canning, which is one of the main reasons the tomato was canned more than any other fruit or vegetable by the end of the nineteenth century. For more information http://www.indomunch.com

Ways to Use Up Those Garden Tomatoes: Tomato Bouillon, Baked Stuffed Tomatoes, & Green Tomato Relish

Now that the gardens and farmer's markets have an abundance of tomatoes, it is time to take advantage of this wonderful vegetable. Here are three recipes you might want to try. Tomato Bouillon, Baked Stuffed Tomatoes, and Green Tomato Relish are three very different ways to use tomatoes. The bouillon recipe uses tomato juice. You can easily make your own juice by putting ripe tomatoes in a heavy pot on the stove over low heat and cooking them down. Add a small amount of water if necessary. Strain the juice to remove seeds and peels.

TOMATO BOUILLON

1 3/4 cups water

1 1/2 cups tomato juice

2 tsp beef-flavored bouillon granules

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1/8 tsp hot sauce

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan, stirring until bouillon granules are dissolved. Cover saucepan and bring soup to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Serve hot.

Juices for Fasting - How to Get the Benefits

There are so many "lose weight" diets online; the water diet, the grapefruit diet, etc. - all promising spectacular results as long as you eat this, avoid that, drink some concoction and run three miles a day. They're all different and confusing, many with contradictory information  it's enough to drive you to a pint of Haagen-Dazs. But most of the more sensible diets recommend that detoxifying and flushing out your body is a good first step. And the best way to do that is to drink plenty of fluids  in fact, it's suggested that you fast for one day per week and drink only water. But stop a moment - why not try juices for fasting? It works € and here's how.
Fasting is good for the body; it gives your digestive system a break so that it can work on detoxifying itself. But fasting means you're not taking in those nutrients which your body must have. All those nutrients - vitamins, minerals and trace elements are critical to health € and using juices for fasting is the best, easiest and cheapest way to ensure you get them. Vegetable juices are loaded with nutrients and as you blend them, you'll find that your glass of juice will taste great. It's providing what your body needs and best of all, drinking juices for fasting bypasses your digestive system as they enter the bloodstream almost immediately, delivering nutrients to cells, bone, skin and tissue as well as supporting the detoxifying process.

Vegetable Juice Detox: Tips and Recipe Ideas

For juice fasting, it is not just fruits that you can juice. You can also consider juicing vegetables. A vegetable juice detox can help your body remove its toxic waste and its cleansing process.

Vegetables also contain an abundant sources of vitamins and minerals not found in other foods. In fact, if you find that you are not eating enough vegetables on a daily basis, you can also think about consuming vegetable drinks. In this manner, you will ensure that you do not give up on including phytochemicals for a balanced nutrition.

A vegetable juice detox allows your body to absorb quickly what you consume without activating your digestive system as it would if you eat the more fibrous vegetables. Your digestive system can then get to work on all the toxic waste that has been accumulating in your body.

Do bear in mind that a vegetable juice detox should not be carried out as an ongoing exercise. At best, you can only fast for up to a week. Surviving on a vegetable juice diet would not be able to give you all the nutrients you need for energy and health if you extend such a diet for more than it should.

Vegetable Juice Recipes - The Taste of Pure Nutrition

When we were in our younger years, our parents have always stressed the importance of eating vegetables and the benefits of everything they put on their vegetable juice recipes. We on the other hand, would complain and ask why we cannot have that tasty pizza or chocolate cake for a meal instead.

As we grow older though, we realize how right our mothers were about broccoli, carrots and celery. Today, many diets have incorporated vegetables in their lists of must eat foods. Apart from becoming a major factor in these dieting trends, many recipes about vegetable juicing have also popped out everywhere, thus, giving the health buffs and not so health conscious people an equal chance to enjoy nutritious drinks that are much more appealing to the palate.

Since all of us are required to consume around five servings of veggies each day for optimal health, vegetable juice recipes are great options that we can simply prepare within a busy schedule. The only equipment you need is a proper juicer. There are many tasty vegetable juices that can be done in a jiffy.

Steps For Making Grape Juice

Want to make grape juice but you're just not sure how? Well the process is really quite simple and all it takes is a little commitment and hard work on your part to make this wonderfully tasteful juice which is loaded with vitamins and minerals and is great for your health. Grape juice, like any other juice, takes a little work to make and this article will give you the basic steps for making the perfect batch of juice for you and your family.

Before we get started on making the juice, let's make sure we have the proper tools and equipment to make the grape juice. After all, you can't make the juice unless you have the right equipment right? Here is what you are going to need for this process. You'll need the grapes (obviously), large spoons and ladles, sugar if you want to sweeten up the juice a little, strainers, jar grabber, a large pot, water bath cleaner, ball jars, lids, and rings. Be sure to wash all equipment before use. This will make sure that everything is sanitized and the juice does not become contaminated.

Magic Green Drink

If you ever will not own a Vita Mix, I highly recommend you buy one. You will discover a million recipes that the Vita Mix can be applied for. It can be worth each penny. Oftentimes your local Costco will have the Vita Mix Business come in to do three days of demonstrations. Check with Costco on line for data. The unit can also be purchased directly from the Vita Mix Business itself (privately owned).
This is really a powerful green ingest that keeps all of the fiber intact. I make adequate for three days and place every days ingest in a quart canning jar. No matter what anybody could possibly say, the ingest is as fresh and tasty on day three as it's on day one.

Green Drinksa are often associated with the Liver. Preserving the liver balanced keeps you balanced € end of story.
I use only natural vegetables. On the other hand if natural is not obtainable use what is. Of all vegetables, celery may be the only one that definitely ought to be natural. Be creative, play with the ingest, change it around and make it your own.
Two stalks of celery

A handful of parsley

A handful of cilantro

A handful of Spinach

3-4 Collard Green leaves (stem and all)

3-4 Kale Green Leaves (stem and all)

1-2 Apples (for a touch of sweetness)

1 Cucumber

A little piece of Ginger should you feel like a slight "zing"
I also enjoy including anything else I have around just like a zucchini or yellow squash, another type of greens just like turnip greens, possibly a mustard green etc.

I at times will use Dandelion which is great for the Liver but indeed will make the juice on the bitter side. If using Dandelion makes certain you use two apples.
What I will not use in this ingest are carrots, any type of radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, beets, burdock root, turnip root etc.
Fill up a container inside Vita Mix and add some water towards the mix to dilute just adequate to ingest.
Set inside jars and have one per day for lunch! Needless to say, refrigerate!
Also take a look at the following related health resources:
- Hillcrest Chiropractic - Useful holistic health providers and means for wholesome living

- Healthy Eating & Yoga - Fantastic sources for Yoga workout and nutritious eating quality recipes.

Foods For Effective Colon Cleansing

Problems with the digestive system are among the greatest and the most dangerous, but are often the most commonly ignored. One of the most prevalent causes of digestive problems starts with a problem in the colon. The colon serves as the waste disposal unit of the body. This is where waste and toxic substances are deposited before they are passed from the body.
Colon Cleansing - What Is This,Visit To Know
http://www.dietbuzzer.com/blog/are-you-eligible-for-weight-loss-surgery.html
A properly functioning colon needs to be able to absorb nutrients and then remove the waste materials before they can poison the body. If waste materials are not properly removed autointoxication occurs or re-absorption of the toxic waste. It is really very easy for putrefied waste to be absorbed through the colon wall into the bloodstream and then start damaging other organs of the body. A person may be considered having a healthy colon if he or she is having bowel movements two to three times per day.

The Health Benefits of Juicing - What are They?

There are many health benefits of juicing fresh fruits and vegetables that will make just about anyone a believer in the power of a juicing diet. Aside from the unique and delicious tastes you will experience through juicing fresh produce, what are some of these benefits? This article answers that question.

First, let's define juicing. Juicing is the process of extracting or separating the juice of fruits and vegetables from the pulp. A masticating juicer is recommended to get the most juice out of many types of produce. This type of juicer releases the juice from the pulp by literally tearing and breaking down the fruit's fiber.

Cooking vegetables and fruits or eating processed and canned fruits often fall short in providing sufficient nutrition for good health. The process by which the food items are prepared, i.e., heating, cooking, canning, etc., causes essential micro-nutrients to be destroyed. To get the most out of fresh produce, it is best to eat them raw or turn them into juice.

One of the best health benefits of juicing is the rich nutritional value that it adds to your diet. Fresh vegetables and fruits are rich in enzymes, vitamins, antioxidants, and essential minerals that are often destroyed during the canning process. Juicing produce provides maximum benefits compared to eating cooked or processed food.

Nutrition and health specialists recommend eating a specific amount of fruit and vegetables every day. However, many people fail to eat the required amount, due to factors such as lack of time, dislike of vegetables, eating other foods, and so forth. Juicing makes it easy to meet nutritional requirements because you can combine several different kinds of fruits and/or vegetables in one juicing process - which consequently provides more nutrients in one sitting.

If you get tired of juicing the same fruits and vegetables, you can add some variety by preparing a new juice mix every day. There are numerous healthy juice recipes that are available on many online websites. Be adventurous, try out some different recipes and enjoy a delicious glass of juice for good health.

How To Make Homemade Relish For Canning

When I first started making relish, I thought it would be a hard and tedious task. Once I made my first batch, I realized that it was a lot easier than what I thought it would be.

Relishes make a great accompaniment for hot dogs, hamburgers, poultry and fish. You can also use it on crackers or your favorite party bread.

To get started, you will need a few supplies:

water bath canner
canning jars, rings and seals (I used pint-sized jars)
ladle (for spooning the hot mixture into the jars)
funnel
jar lifter (to lift the jars out of the hot water)
2 oven mitts (I like using mitts to prevent any accidental burns to my hands)
clean cotton drying cloth or kitchen towel

You will want to follow the instructions that came with your water bath canner for sterilizing and processing your jars. Always inspect your jars for defects before using them.

Honey Raisin-berry Relish

5 cups raisins
5 cups water
1 1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup lemon juice
6 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
2 tablespoon grated lemon peel
1 cup walnuts, chopped

In a large saucepan, combine raisins, water, honey and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until honey melts and ingredients are blended. Lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in cranberries and lemon peel, return to a boil and then lower heat to simmer for an additional 10 minutes or until liquid barely covers raisins and cranberries. Remove from heat. Stir in chopped walnuts. Ladle into hot jars leaving 1/2" head space, wipe rims clean, seal and process in a water bath canner for 15 minutes. Makes 8 cups.

Green Tomato Relish

2 quarts green tomatoes
3 red sweet peppers
3 green sweet peppers
3 large onions
3 tablespoons salt
3 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups vinegar
1 cup water
2 tablespoons celery seed
2 tablespoons turmeric seed

Finely chop the tomatoes, peppers and onions and add to a large bowl with salt. Let stand for 30 minutes, then drain and rinse. In a large stockpot combine vegetable mixture with the remaining ingredients. Boil mixture for 5-7 minutes. Ladle into hot jars leaving 1/2" head space, wipe rims clean, seal and process in a water bath canner for 15 minutes.

Canning Boneless Chicken breasts

Many people are intimidated by the idea of canning at home, but the process is easier than you might think and you can save a lot of money! Canning chicken or other meats is often not associated with home canning but it is nevertheless very doable. The results can be stored long-term, providing you with supplies for a delicious meal without trudging to the store in the cold this winter.

Canning - How To Make Homemade Pear Chutney Recipe

During the fall, we enjoy making some homemade pear chutney. This recipe is very easy to prepare because it uses canned pears instead of fresh ones.

You can preserve your chutney for up to 2 weeks by refrigerating it or you can seal your jars in a water bath canner to preserve it for up to 1 year. I usually double my recipe and keep one jar in the refrigerator and can the rest.

Pear Chutney Recipe

29 oz. can of diced pears with syrup (juice)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup cider vinegar

Canning - How to Can Your Own Strawberry and Blueberry Jam

During the summer months, I look forward to canning my own homemade strawberry and blueberry jams. People often tell me that they don't get into canning because they think it's too hard, however, one of the easiest things to can is homemade jam.

For the following recipes, you will need some jelly or half-pint sized canning jars, seals, rings, and a water bath canner. If you have a jar lifter, silicone spatula and a funnel, they would be useful too, but not necessary.

Easy Strawberry Jam Recipe

3 cups fresh strawberries, caps removed
3 cups granulated sugar
1 envelope of fruit pectin (Sure-Jell)

Fruit Preparation: Wash and remove the caps from your fresh strawberries, place them in a medium sized saucepan.

Stir in 1 cup of granulated sugar and bring the mixture to a rapid boil and boil for 4 minutes. Stir in the second cup of granulated sugar and bring it back to a boil and boil for an additional 3 minutes. Finally, stir in the remaining 1 cup of granulated sugar and contents of 1 envelope of fruit pectin, bring mixture back to a full boil and boil an additional 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove pan from the burner and let it cool down for 10 minutes, stirring mixture occasionally with a nonstick silicone spatula. Spoon mixture into hot clean jars and seal. Process the jars in your water bath canner for 10 minutes.

Easy Blueberry Jam Recipe

4 1/2 cup fresh blueberries, crushed
2 tablespoons lemon juice
7 cups granulated sugar
2 envelopes of fruit pectin (Sure-Jell)

Fruit Preparation: Wash and drain fresh blueberries in a colander and then measure out 6 cups and place them into a bowl. Using a potato masher, mash down the blueberries until you have 4 1/2 cups of crushed fruit.

Place fruit in a large stock pot. Stir in the lemon juice and then add in the granulated sugar, one cup at a time. Cook mixture over medium-high heat and bring it to a full rolling boil and boil hard for 2 minutes, stirring constantly with a nonstick silicone spatula or spoon. Turn off the heat and skim off any foam that has developed on the top. Stir in the liquid fruit pectin until mixture is combined.
Spoon mixture into hot clean jars and seal. Process the jars in your water bath canner for 10 minutes.

Homemade Canning - Best Foods To Can When Just Getting Started With Home Canning

Home canning is the best way to capture the fresh taste, flavor and nutrients of the local foods. Food preservation is not a complicated affair. It has a simple procedure, which is easy, and you also need not worry about the food being spoiled if stored for a long time. The advantage of enjoying the preserved foods is that you can even have it off-season and it is not expensive if canned at home.

It will help you save a lot of your money and also you will feed your family a healthy food compared to the market canned which has preservatives added to it. Home canning also makes you more self reliant in terms of any short supply in the market or bad weather conditions when you cannot drive to the store. You also retain the nutritional values of the canned products. Being a very economical and healthier option, thousands of people have picked up home preserving procedures.

If you are a beginner and doing the canning for the first time, than it is very important that you do it correctly and should know the recipes and procedures for preserving. For home canning of foods, canning tomato sauce and canning beans are great starters. Tomato sauce is used as a taste and flavor adder therefore; it is used throughout the year. Home canned tomato sauce is cheaper and as healthier as that available in the market. Most of the tomato sauce at grocery stores has lot of sugars and additives and which is why many people prefer home food preservation.

Canning - How To Make Homemade Crab Apple Jelly

Every fall season, We look forward to picking some wild apples from two of our backyard trees and canning some homemade crab apple jelly.

Crab apples are small compared to normal baking and eating apples and due to their 'sour' taste, they are best used for making jams, jellies and chutneys.

The following recipe was given to me about 25 years ago by my grandmother. This recipe is easy to prepare, but a little time consuming. You will need to use a jelly bag to strain the juice from your pulp.

Crab Apple Jelly Recipe

5 pounds crab apples (whole, only stems removed)
5 cups water

Homemade Christmas Gifts Straight from the Garden

During the long, hot days of summer, the last thing we think about is Christmas shopping. After all, that's a task we usually relegate to the month of December, right? But the truth is, the job of shopping for Christmas gifts is something many people loathe. Parking lots are crowded, malls are jam packed, and finding just the right gift for that special someone can take hours, or even days. What if there was a way to get some of your Christmas gifts ready during the summertime and put them away in storage so they'll be ready to go when the holiday season rolls around? Before you grab your keys and jump in the car to go shopping now, stop and take a look around your own home and garden. There may be some gift possibilities lurking right under your own nose that are homemade, thoughtful, and very inexpensive.

Many of us raise vegetable gardens in the summer, and we wind up with more fresh produce than we can possibly use. Instead of letting it rot on the vine or giving it all away to neighbors, consider canning. Many vegetables like fresh green beans and tomatoes can be canned and then given away as gifts at the holidays. Fresh bell peppers can be made into relishes, and cucumbers can be pickled and canned. Cans of fresh produce also make wonderful hostess's gifts when you are invited to holiday parties. Top off the jar with a colorful square of fabric and tie with a ribbon to make the gift really attractive and special.

If you enjoy cooking, consider using your fresh produce to make other items like homemade spaghetti sauce, fresh salsa, or pickle relish that can be canned. For a really nice touch, put a couple jars of spaghetti sauce into a gift basket and then include some related items such as a pound of pasta and a loaf of fresh Italian bread. Other nice touches might include an Italian cookbook, a bottle of good red wine or gourmet olive oil, and even some fresh parmesan cheese. The idea of themed gift baskets based on your homemade canned goods can be expanded into other areas, too. For example, if you've made some fresh salsa, include items in your gift basket like tortilla chips, margarita mix, and a bottle of good quality tequila.

Homemade gifts from the garden don't have to be limited to only vegetables. If you grow fruits such as blueberries, cherries, or raspberries, consider making homemade jams or pie fillings that can be canned for holiday gifts. Nice additions to round out a gift basket with these items could include a new pie dish, or some homemade bread for toasting. Fresh fruits can also be made into syrups that can be given as gifts along with some homemade pancake mix. Furthermore, if you grow fresh herbs such as parsley or basil, consider making fresh pesto at the end of the summer and canning it into small jars to give as gifts.

Homemade Christmas gifts that have come from your garden make nice gift items for almost anyone. After all, everyone enjoys good food, especially when it's homegrown. Even better, a gift like this is very thoughtful, and shows the recipient that you put some time and thought into what to give them. So if you've got a garden that's overflowing with fresh produce, take an afternoon and do some canning. You'll save yourself both time and money when December rolls around!

Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas

With many of us facing greater financial challenges this year than last, Christmas gift shopping poses a real threat to our budget and wallets. We still want the holidays to be memorable for our families, yet how do we strike that critical balance between giving the perfect gift and still staying within your budget? The answer might be easier than you think; homemade Christmas gifts are a way for you to give the best of yourself and your talents to those you love. Homemade gifts are often more treasured by the recipient than a purchased item because they show you put in a lot of thought and effort, and thus they hold more sentimental value.

If you'd like to try your hand at making some homemade Christmas gifts this year, but aren't sure where to start, let your hobbies and talents be your guide. What things are you good at? We've got a list of ideas to get you started.

Gardeners:
If you are a gardener, you have a talent that many people envy. The holidays are a great time for you to share the fruits of your labor with those you love. If you grow produce, consider canning some of it at the end of the summer to give as Christmas gifts. Homemade tomato sauces, ketchup, or salsa are all good options. For the flower gardener, dried or pressed flower blossoms make wonderful crafts for use in bookmarks, wreaths, and arrangements. You could also give pots of bulbs that will bloom in late winter or early spring.

Cooks or Bakers:
Baked goods are always a great gift and are fun to present in a tin, basket, or on a pretty gift plate. Another fun option is a homemade food basket with recipes and some pre-made mixes that will allow the recipient to make a meal. For the elderly or new parents, pre-made frozen dinners and casseroles are also greatly appreciated.

Woodworkers:
Homemade gift ideas from someone who enjoys woodworking are almost endless. Toys make beautiful heirlooms that can be passed down from generation to generation. Cutting boards are a nice gift for families, as are coaster sets and keepsake wooden boxes.

Seamstresses:
If you know your way around a needle and thread, you can really get a lot of bang for your buck when it comes to Christmas gifts. For a mother and daughter, consider matching aprons. Unique and fashionable homemade purses or bags also made a great fit for the women on your list. Children enjoy stuffed animals, personalized placemats, or special quilts.

Scrapbookers:
Scrapbooks or memory books for loved ones make treasured gifts, especially if they record a special event, such as the birth of a baby or a wedding in the family. Other gift ideas might include homemade gift cards featuring photos of loved ones.

Computer Whiz:
For those of us who aren't crafty with our hands, but who are very techno-savvy, consider making family calendars on the computer to give away as gifts. The calendars can feature family photos and notations for birthdays, anniversaries, and other important family events. Another idea, if you have the equipment, would be to take old family movies that are on VHS and transfer them to DVD. A gift set of all the family's home movies can be made and given to each family member.

We all have a talent or the ability to create special gift items that others will appreciate. All we have to do is pull on our own unique talents and hobbies, add a little imagination, and anyone can create lasting memories for both the giver and recipient!

Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter - Does it work? Read my review!

Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter - What is it?

I love to cook, and I've recently been experimenting with making my own homemade salsa and pasta sauces. Obviously, I've been using tons of canned tomatoes in the process. A friend at work recently brought me a few home-grown tomatoes, and I asked her how she possibly had time to grow tomatoes herself. She said she's been using a Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter. I was instantly interested in finding out more. I thought that would be a wonderful way to save money on buying tomatoes at the market, and have much better home-grown tasting tomatoes at the same time.

The Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter is a simple planter that allows you to plant tomato seedlings upside down. The roots stay in the planter and the plant hangs underneath. The sun warms the planter, which acts like a greenhouse. This makes the roots very happy. When you water, it allows the moisture and any tomato food you use to drain directly down onto the plant.

I bought this back in April, and I decided to plant cherry tomatoes in it. You can put three plants in each planter. You can even mix different tomato varieties, or even grow other vegetables or herbs. But, for my first try, I decided to stick with small tomatoes. A few weeks ago, my plants just exploded! My plants grew so fast, and then tomatoes started popping up- I have picked probably a hundred tomatoes so far and we probably have a hundred more ready to pick! The vines are almost touching the ground! I can't even describe how wonderful they taste!

Homemade Canning - The Home Canning Essential Equipment Checklist

Before beginning to can at home, it is important to have the right equipment on hand. There are two types of homemade canning: boiling water canning and high pressure canning. However, aside from the style of pans used for canning, the rest of the supplies are identical.

Essential Supplies Needed for Canning

The following are the supplies and equipment you will need to successfully can meats and produce at home:

Canning jars Boiling canner Pressure canner Or Dutch oven Large kettle to pre-boil equipment in Jar tongs Proper canning jars Canning lids Lid rims Wide mouth funnel Food mill Food sieve Colander Spoons Heat proof rubber spatulas Measuring cups Different sized bowls Towels Bakers cooling rack Knives Cutting board Filtered water (preferably also distilled) Food to can Waterproof labels and label marker

Use the Right Kind of Canner

A boiling canner is used for high-acid foods such as fruits, jams, tomatoes, pickles, relishes, preserves, and tomato based salsas and sauces. High-acid foods only need to be brought up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature of boiling water, for the specific time specified in the recipe.

Father of Canned Aloha

James Drummond Dole had a vision, and that vision ended up supplying pineapples to the world. Born just outside Boston, Dole graduated from Harvard University with degrees in agriculture and business and moved to Hawaii at 22.

James Dole

Arriving in Honolulu in November, 1899, Dole quickly set about purchasing a parcel a 60-acre plot of land in Wahiawa (near the North Shore of Oahu). Dole experimented with different crops on his farm. His first thought was coffee, yet after some brief experimentation he settled on planting pineapple.

His new venture became the Hawaiian Pineapple Company (Hapco), and despite the Honolulu Advertiser labeling it a "foolhardy venture," in a short time the company grew wildly successful. Of course, when your cousin is Sanford Dole, the acting President of the Republic of Hawaii (and the man who helped orchestrate the overthrow of the monarchy), the odds of achieving success are vastly improved.

In spite of his family connection, James Dole was an innovative businessman. After just seven years, Hapco built one of the largest canneries in the world next to Honolulu Harbor. Dole knew that canning pineapple was the only way to make exporting the fruit profitable. Speeding up the canning process was imperative (since the fruit was hand-peeled and cut), so in 1911 he hired Henry Ginaca to invent a machine that could core and peel 35 pineapples per minute!

Pineapples: the Healing Fruit of the Tropics (includes a Recipe for Pina-banana Orange Smoothie

For a natural and tasty way to improve your health and boost your healing capacity, add fresh pineapple and pineapple juice to your diet. Pineapples are nutritionally packed members of the bromeliad family. This delightful tropical fruit is high in the enzyme bromelain and the antioxidant vitamin C, both of which play a major role in the body's healing process.

Bromelain, a natural anti-inflammatory with analgesic properties, encourages healing, promotes well-being and has many other health benefits. Bromelain is very effective in treating bruises, sprains and strains by reducing swelling, tenderness and pain. This powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect can also help relieve osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and reduce postoperative swelling. Additionally, bromelain can relieve indigestion. The enzyme contained in fresh pineapple helps break down the amino acid bonds in proteins, which promotes good digestion.

Pineapples also provide an ample supply of vitamin C, a commonly known antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage and boosts the immune system. Vitamin C helps build and repair bodily tissue and promotes wound healing. The body uses vitamin C to help metabolize fats and cholesterol, absorbs iron, and synthesizes amino acids and collagen. Collagen is one of the primary building blocks of skin, cartilage and bones. Vitamin C also decreases the severity of colds and infections.

Furthermore, due to its high vitamin C content, pineapples are good for your oral health as well. Recent studies have found that vitamin C can reduce your risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease. Besides increasing the ability of connective tissue to repair itself, vitamin C also increases the body's ability to fight invading bacteria and other toxins that contribute to gum disease. Periodontal disease, which destroys gum tissue and underlying jaw bones, has been linked to heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

So if you are searching for a natural way to enhance your body's healing mechanisms, promote overall good health and tantalize your taste buds, pineapples are the way to go. Choose the fresh fruit because it has the most healing properties. Unfortunately, most of the bromelain in canned pineapple is destroyed due to the heat used in the canning process.

When choosing a fresh pineapple, do not judge ripeness solely based upon color. There are several varieties on the market that range from green to golden yellow. The most important factor in determining ripeness is smell, let your nose help you decide. Ripe pineapples give off a sweet, fresh tropical smell. Avoid pineapples that give off an unpleasant odor or have any soft spots or areas of dark discoloration. Once home, let the pineapple sits on your counter at room temperature until ready to use. This will preserve its sweet and tangy flavor.

To prepare pineapple, you need to peel it, remove the eyes (the thorny protrusions within the puffy squares of the skin) and the fibrous center. One way to do this is to remove the top of the pineapple with a sharp knife. Then cut the pineapple lengthwise into 4 wedges (quarter it) and place each pineapple wedge horizontally on a cutting board. Carefully cut the fruit from the outer skin, and cut out the eyes and fibrous center core.

Another way is to cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple, place the pineapple vertically (upright) on a cutting board and carefully slice off the outer skin. With a sharp paring knife or the end if a vegetable peeler, remove the eyes. Don't cut too deep, just enough to lift out the section that contains the eye. Then, slice the pineapple crosswise and remove the fibrous core individually with a cookie cutter.

Once the fruit is prepared, it can be diced and eaten fresh, added to salads and entrees for an exotic flavor, or made into tasty tropical drinks and smoothies.

To get you started, try Monique N. Gilbert's delicious, nutritious, cholesterol-free smoothie recipe. It's high in bromelain, vitamin C, beta carotene, potassium, thiamin (vitamin B-1), riboflavin (vitamin B-2), iron, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and soy is flavones.

Pina-Banana Orange Smoothie

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1 frozen banana

1 cup fresh pineapple

1/2 cup soymilk

1/3 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon canned pumpkin

1 tablespoon ground flax seeds

1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

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Place all of the above ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend for 1-2 minutes, or until smooth and creamy.

Makes about 2-3/4 cups (2 servings)

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Eating the Magical Fruit Pineapple

For a natural and tasty way to improve your health and boost your healing capacity, add fresh pineapple and pineapple juice to your diet. Pineapples are nutritionally packed members of the bromeliad family. This delightful tropical fruit is high in the enzyme bromelain and the antioxidant vitamin C, both of which plays a major role in the body's healing process.

Bromelain, a natural anti-inflammatory with analgesic properties, encourages healing, promotes well-being and has many other health benefits. Bromelain is very effective in treating bruises, sprains and strains by reducing swelling, tenderness and pain. This powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect can also help relieve osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and reduce postoperative swelling. Additionally, bromelain can relieve indigestion. The enzyme contained in fresh pineapple helps break down the amino acid bonds in proteins, which promotes good digestion.

Pineapples also provide an ample supply of vitamin C, a commonly known antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage and boosts the immune system. Vitamin C helps build and repair bodily tissue and promotes wound healing. The body uses vitamin C to help metabolize fats and cholesterol, absorb iron, and synthesize amino acids and collagen. Collagen is one of the primary building blocks of skin, cartilage and bones. Vitamin C also decreases the severity of colds and infections.

Is Pineapple Safe During Pregnancy?

Eating pineapple or drinking

pineapple juice is said to be an old wive's tale to bring on labour for woman past their due date. Large amounts of pineapple juice can in fact cause uterine contractions. It's for this reason that in early pregnancy, it's often suggested that you don't drink pineapple juice in excess amounts.

Why pineapple can cause contractions

Fresh pineapple contains Bromelain which can also soften the cervix but it is said that it takes large quantities to have any effect which can also result in diarrhea. Some women say that they've had zero problems having plenty of pineapple and pineapple juice during pregnancy and others claim it brought on labour. The verdict on pineapple during pregnancy? Some would say that you should eat it in moderation and watch for any signs of problems before your due date. If you're at or past your due date, it might help you.

Natural ways to bring on labour: a guide

For the past 40 weeks you have been waiting for this moment. Your birth plan is written, your bag is packed, your belly feels like it is about to burst and you are sure that any minute now you will feel your first contraction. And then... nothing. Not even a twinge.

Now there is something to be said for being patient. Your baby will come out when he is good and ready and some just like to take their time. But if an induction date is looming, you might feel like you want to give him a gentle nudge. Here are some of the alternative methods of bringing on labour.

Before you proceed, we should warn you that there is very little hard scientific evidence relating to either the effectiveness, or the safety, of any of these methods. The studies that have been done tend to be small and evidence is difficult to verify: if labour is due anyway, how do you know whether it was the curry you ate last night that actually brought it on?

On the safety side, talk to your doctor or midwife at your next check-up before you try any of these methods. This is particularly important if there are any complications in your pregnancy, as there is even less evidence about the safety of these methods in a high-risk pregnancy.

Nipple stimulation

Nipple stimulation is the gentle rubbing or rolling of the nipple to encourage the start of contractions. The theory is that oxytocin, a hormone that causes contractions, is released in the body when the breasts are stimulated.

Is it safe?
A review of studies found that contractions after nipple stimulation did not over-stimulate the uterus, which could be dangerous for the baby (Kavanagh et al 2005). There is a lack of research on the safety of this technique in high-risk pregnancy, so currently it is only recommended in normal pregnancies.

Does it work?
The review mentioned above showed a significant benefit from nipple stimulation in women whose cervix had already started to soften, thin and open ready for labour. 37 per cent women who had tried it went into labour within 72 hours as compared to just 6 per cent of those who had not.

How do I try it?
The idea is to simulate the suckling of a baby so you need to massage the whole areola (the dark area around the nipple), not just tweak the nipple. Place your palm over the areola and move in a circular motion, applying a firm but gentle pressure. This may need to be continued for some time. The usual recommendation is to stimulate the breasts for an hour, three times a day, spending 15 minutes continually stimulating one breast and then alternating to the other breast for 15 minutes until the hour is up.

Castor oil

There are reports of castor oil being used to bring on labour as far back as the Egyptians, though how it works is poorly understood. The most commonly given explanation is that it acts as a powerful laxative, and when it stimulates the gut it also stimulates the uterus and so "kick starts" labour.

Is it safe?
Nausea is likely to be the immediate effect, followed by a bad case of diarrhoea and there is a risk that you will become dehydrated. For this reason, we would NOT recommend taking castor oil.

Does it work?
A study of 100 overdue women found that 57.7 per cent began active labour after a single dose of 60ml of castor oil, as opposed to 4.2 per cent who received no treatment (Garry et al 2000). A review of this study reported no adverse affects on mother or baby but that all the women who took it felt nauseous (Kelly et al 2001). The study was not large enough to be conclusive.

How do I try it?
This is one we would NOT recommend but, according to a survey of midwives, 4 fl oz of castor oil mixed with orange juice is the usual dose. It is revolting (very oily) to drink though some suggest that making it fizzy by adding half a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda helps. A second dose can be given 12 hours later.

Sex

Sex as a means of getting labour started is thought to work in three ways: firstly orgasm may help to stimulate the uterus into action; secondly, sex can trigger the release of oxytocin, the "contraction" hormone; thirdly, semen contains a high concentration of prostaglandins which may help to ripen, or soften, the neck of the womb (cervix) ready for it to dilate when labour starts.

Is it safe?
Sex is safe as long as your waters have not broken. Once this has happened, making love may increase the risk of infection. You should also avoid sex if you have a low-lying placenta (placenta praevia) or have had vaginal bleeding (von Sydow 1999; Aston 1997 cited by Jackson 2004: 106). Men often feel uncomfortable making love to their partners with a baby so obviously present but the baby will not know what is happening and will not be harmed.

Does it work?
There's not much evidence that it does work. Of the small studies that have been carried out all but one (Tan et al 2006) suggest that sex neither helps to ripen the cervix nor to start labour earlier (Kavanagh et al 2001; Tan et al 2007; Schaffir 2006). If nothing else, it will take your mind off the waiting!

How do I try it?
At this stage in your pregnancy sex is easier said than done. Try spoons, with your partner entering from behind or use the bed as a prop: your bulge isn't an obstacle if you lie on your back at the side or foot of the bed with your knees bent, and your bottom and feet perched at the edge of the mattress. Your partner can either kneel or stand in front of you. Alternatively, giving your partner oral sex may work better. It is thought that prostaglandins are absorbed more efficiently through the gut than through the vagina. (Note: you may prefer to keep this piece of information to yourself!)

Eating pineapple

Pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain which is thought to help to soften the cervix and so bring on labour.

Is it safe?
There is no evidence to say whether it is safe or not. Each pineapple contains only very small amounts of bromelain so you would need to eat as many as seven to have any effect. The most likely side-effect of eating large amounts of pineapple would be a severe case of the runs.

Does it work?
Some cultures swear by it but there is a lack of research into whether it really works. Regardless of this, eating large quantities of pineapple is likely to stimulate the gut and bowel and, as with castor oil, could kick-start the uterus into action by that means.

How do I try it?
The pineapple must be fresh: bromelain is destroyed by the process of canning or juicing.

Homeopathy

Homoeopathic remedies use highly diluted versions of more potent substances to treat the body. Pulsatilla and Caulophyllum are two commonly used homeopathic remedies used to stimulate labour.

Is it safe?
Homeopathic remedies appear to be safe. The Faculty of Homeopathy have researched their use in labour and not found any incidents of damage caused by them (Dantas and Rampes 2000). The worst damage homeopathy can do is nothing.

Does it work?
There is plenty of anecdotal evidence from patients who found that homeopathy is helpful, but this has not been researched in a systematic way. One trial into caulophyllum found no difference between the women who took it and those who didn't, but the method of the trial was not thought to be reliable (Smith 2003).

How do I try it?
Contact a registered homeopath (The Society of Homeopaths has a list). A Homeopathic Birth Kit is available from Helios Pharmacy which includes 18 remedies and a mini-guide.

Herbal: blue cohosh and black cohosh

Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) and black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosus) are herbs which should not be used in early pregnancy but are often cited as useful in bringing on labour.

Are they safe?
Two Canadian reviews of studies on their use have concluded that they should be used with caution in the case of black cohosh and extreme caution in the case of blue cohosh (Dugoua et al 2008; Dugoua et al 2006). Blue cohosh in particular has been linked with severe complications for the baby at birth. In either case, there is not enough evidence that they are safe to use. Herbals are much stronger than homeopathic remedies and so should always be used under professional guidance. Given that there is a question mark hanging over them, you may decide that it is better to avoid these herbs entirely.

Do they work?
Anecdotal evidence suggests that they do, but there are no scientific studies to back this up.

How do I try them?
The National Institute of Medical Herbalists can help you to locate a qualified, registered herbalist near you.

Eating curry

Spicy food is often suggested as a means of bringing on labour. There are no scientific theories relating to this, but it may be that it stimulates the gut and bowel and so encourages the uterus to get going by that means.

Is it safe?
Spicy foods can cause heartburn (CKS 2008) and, if you are not used to them, irritate the bowel. For this reason you should probably not order a vindaloo if you are usually more of a korma girl.

Does it work?
There is no evidence either way though many women swear by it.

How do I try it?
Order a takeaway. This is not the time to be slaving over a hot stove.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points of the body. According to traditional Chinese philosophy, this stimulates the energy within the body to act on a specific organ function or system.

Is it safe?
Studies into this are limited but none have shown any ill-effects from the use of acupuncture for mother and baby. Acupuncture is generally considered safe at this stage of pregnancy (Harper et al 2006; Smith and Crowther 2004).

Does it work?
The limited studies that have been carried out so far suggest that acupuncture may be effective (Smith and Crowther 2004).

How do I try it?
You need to find a qualified practitioner. The British Acupuncture Council has a searchable list. You will probably need treatment daily until you give birth.

Red raspberry leaf

Raspberry leaf can be taken as a tea or in tablet form. It is often mentioned alongside other methods for bringing on labour. This is a myth.

Is it safe?
It is very important not to use raspberry leaves until the last two months of pregnancy because of their stimulating effect on the uterus.

Does it work?
There is no evidence to show that red raspberry leaf will encourage labour to begin. However, an Australian study has shown that it speeded up the second stage of labour and reduced the need for a forceps delivery (Simpson et al 2001).

How do I try it?
If you want to help to prepare the uterine muscles for labour start with one cup of tea a day or one tablet and build up gradually to a maximum of four cups of tea or tablets daily. The tea can be sipped freely during labour, too. The tea and tablets are available from health food stores or from herbal suppliers.

Walking

The explanation appears to be that the pressure of your baby's head pressing down on the cervix from the inside stimulates the release of oxytocin, hopefully bringing on labour. Also, just being upright gets the forces of gravity working for you, encouraging the baby to move down onto the cervix.

Is it safe?
Yes, but you should be careful not to wear yourself out. Labour can be exhausting and you don't want to use up all your energy before you have begun.

Does it work?
There is, as yet, no evidence. If your baby has not "dropped" or is still high in the pelvis, walking is thought to encourage your baby into a better position so that labour is more likely to start on its own.

How do I try it?
This is not the moment to take up power walking, particularly if you have not done much exercise earlier on in your pregnancy. A gentle stroll is probably the best you will be able to manage.

And finally:

Here is a selection of other methods (some of them a little bizarre) that other mums are said to have found helpful. There is no evidence for any of these and frankly we are not convinced!

€ Blowing up balloons: the theory is that the build up of abdominal pressure encourages labour to start.

€ Bouncing on your birth ball or driving your car down a bumpy road would seem to put the same faith in shaking things up a little

€ Get a weepy video and have a good cry

€ Wear your best knickers (sod's law will ensure that your waters break in them).

Does Pineapple Induce Labor?

Does pineapple induce labor? You may also have a doubt about this. What I heard from many women who have tried to take pineapple to induce labor, there are several opinions from them. Some women said that pineapple help them to induce labor immediately. But the others said, using pineapple to induce labor doesn't help them to deliver their baby soon even they had eaten it more often. You should take a look at this.

Pineapple is a type of tropical fruit. Like other tropical fruits, pineapples contain proteolytic enzymes. The proteolytic enzymes called bromelain are believed to soften the cervix and lead to bring on labor. This enzyme works like prostaglandin, which help to ripe and soften the cervix.

Pineapples have been known as an anti-inflammatory, diuretic and digestive aid. Since it is also used as a digestive aid, it may stimulate the bowels to move, which could bring on contractions as well. However, when you take it before meals when your stomach is empty then it works like a medicine.

You should consume a fresh pineapple to induce labor. It is because the enzyme that is believed can soft the cervix is only available in fresh pineapple, not in canned pineapple. The canning process destroys most of the enzyme "bromealain" in pineapple.

Overall, pineapple has many health benefits. In addition to being a delicious food, it is packed with minerals and vitamins. Calcium, potassium, fiber and vitamin C are all packed in pineapple. In addition, pineapple is low in fat and cholesterol, and makes an excellent snack--whether you are pregnant or not.

But you may ask again and again, does pineapple induce labor? There are no good proven about this. However, some doctors and people warn not to eat large amount of fresh pineapples during pregnancy.

Many doctors recommend that mothers avoid trying to induce labor until they have reached the 40-week mark. If you want to try pineapple to induce labor, please consult a doctor first to check whether it is suitable for your body or not. It is because there are many ways to induce labor on your own which safer and effective.

Alternative methods to black cohosh to induce labor

Maternity acupressure is deemed safe to use for inducing labor as you are not putting any herbs or medication into your body. Acupressure has been successfully used for thousands of years by women worldwide to help induce labor, strengthen contractions and ease the pain of labor, read more about maternity acupressure as one of the natural ways to induce labor on your own here!

How To Make Homemade Relish For Canning

When I first started making relish, I thought it would be a hard and tedious task. Once I made my first batch, I realized that it was a lot easier than what I thought it would be.

Relishes make a great accompaniment for hot dogs, hamburgers, poultry and fish. You can also use it on crackers or your favorite party bread.

To get started, you will need a few supplies:

water bath canner
canning jars, rings and seals (I used pint-sized jars)
ladle (for spooning the hot mixture into the jars)
funnel
jar lifter (to lift the jars out of the hot water)
2 oven mitts (I like using mitts to prevent any accidental burns to my hands)
clean cotton drying cloth or kitchen towel

You will want to follow the instructions that came with your water bath canner for sterilizing and processing your jars. Always inspect your jars for defects before using them.

Recipes for Diabetic Canning: Bright Green Pickle Sticks and Bell Pepper Relish

It is not easy to find pickles and relishes for diabetics. But we can make our own. These recipes are for canning pickles and relish that is diabetic friendly. Bright Green Pickle Sticks is a perfect recipe for this time of year as the vegetable gardens and farmer's markets feature lots of cucumbers. Take advantage of the cucumbers now and enjoy your own pickles year-round. The same thing is true for the Bell Pepper Relish. Gardens, Farmer's Markets and grocery stores have beautiful bell peppers available. With this relish recipe, you will be enjoying them all year. Be sure you always use clean jars when canning and be very sure your jars seal. Always follow the instructions carefully.

BRIGHT GREEN PICKLE STICKS

Wash and cut into sticks enough cucumbers for 7 quarts.
Pour boiling water over the cucumbers and let sit overnight.
The next day, drain the cucumbers and pack into clean canning jars.

Combine the following ingredients in a large saucepan and boil for 5 minutes:
7 cups cider vinegar
5 cups Splenda granular
1 3/4 cups sugar
6 tbsp salt
3 tbsp celery seed
3 tbsp mustard seed
6 tsp tumeric
Green food coloring, optional

Pour the hot mixture over the cucumbers in the jars. Have jar lids boiling in water. Seal the jars with the hot lids. Process in boiling water bath for 5 minutes to seal well.

BELL PEPPER RELISH

18 green bell peppers
18 red bell peppers
18 medium onions
6 cups vinegar
3 tbsps salt
1 cup sugar
4 cups Splenda granular
1 tbsp whole mustard seed
8 stalks celery, finely chopped

Put the bell peppers and the onions in a food processor until fine. Cover the mixture with boiling water and let stand 10 minutes; drain. Add the vinegar, salt, sugar, Splenda, mustard seed, and celery; mix well. Put the mixture in a large pan and bring to a boil. Boil for 15 minutes and immediately seal into hot pint jars. Be sure the lids seal. If any jar doesn't seal, refrigerate and use first.

Note: These pickles and relish make great gifts for diabetics. They are perfect housewarming gifts, hostess gifts, birthday or holiday gifts.

Enjoy!

Recipes For Summertime Canning: Sweet Lime Pickles, Watermelon Pickles, and Zucchini Relish

"Putting Up" your own pickles and relishes is a favorite summertime ritual for many of us. This was on of my favorite things as a child, teenager, mother and wife. All except for washing and scrubbing hundreds of canning jars as a child, that is!! It is also one of the things I miss most now that I am a senior citizen living in the city. But I do still enjoy sharing my canning recipes. If you want to try some "new" recipes for canning, let me introduce you to some "old-fashion" ones. Today's article includes recipes for canning your own Sweet Lime Pickles, Watermelon Pickles, and Zucchini Relish. These will make great additions to your pantry!

HOMEMADE SWEET LIME PICKLES
Slice 7 pounds of cucumbers and soak in 2 gallons of water. Add 2 cups of lime. leave in this for 24 hours. Wash well and soak in water for 3 more hours.

Cover with this solution:
2 qt. vinegar
9 c. sugar
1 tbsp. salt
2 tsp. whole cloves
2 tsp. celery seed
1 tsp. mixed spices

Let stand overnight in this solution. Bring to a boil and can.

How To Can Homemade Southern Chow Chow Relish

If you plant a garden every summer season and looking for a way to use up some of your excess garden vegetables, this is a great southern relish recipe to make.

You will want to store your jars in a cool and dry place when finished. If you like to give homemade goodies as gifts, this makes a great gift to those on your gift giving list.

Supplies Needed: Water bath canner, canning jars, seals, rings, jar lifter, funnel and a ladle.

Chow Chow Relish Recipe

2 pints carrots, cut into slices
2 pints small sweet pickles
3 pints lima beans
1 head of cabbage, cut into pieces
4 pints cauliflower, chopped into pieces
2 cups water and celery juice
3 pints celery, chopped into small pieces
3 pints red and yellow sweet peppers, diced
1 pint of onions, chopped
1 pint canned yellow corn
8 cups granulated sugar
4 cups white vinegar
4 teaspoons table salt

In a large stock pot with hot water, cook the peppers, lima beans, cabbage and cauliflower until they are fork tender. Drain water and set aside. Using the same stock pot, cook your celery in 2 cups of boiling water until it's fork tender. Drain celery juice into a bowl and set aside. Add celery to the first vegetable mixture.

Drain sweet pickles and reserve juice for later use. Add sweet pickles and drained onions to vegetables and mix well. In your stock pot, combine the granulated sugar, white vinegar, sweet pickle juice, celery juice, 2 cups of water and table salt. Bring this mixture to a boil and then stir in the mixed cooked vegetables. All this mixture to come to a boil and boil for 2 minutes. Turn off heat.

Ladle relish into clean, hot and sterilized jars. I like to use wide mouth pint-sized jars for canning relish. This recipe will make approximately 15 pint jars.

Canning - How to Can Your Own Strawberry and Blueberry Jam

During the summer months, I look forward to canning my own homemade strawberry and blueberry jams. People often tell me that they don't get into canning because they think it's too hard, however, one of the easiest things to can is homemade jam.

For the following recipes, you will need some jelly or half-pint sized canning jars, seals, rings, and a water bath canner. If you have a jar lifter, silicone spatula and a funnel, they would be useful too, but not necessary.

Easy Strawberry Jam Recipe

3 cups fresh strawberries, caps removed
3 cups granulated sugar
1 envelope of fruit pectin (Sure-Jell)

Fruit Preparation: Wash and remove the caps from your fresh strawberries, place them in a medium sized saucepan.

Stir in 1 cup of granulated sugar and bring the mixture to a rapid boil and boil for 4 minutes. Stir in the second cup of granulated sugar and bring it back to a boil and boil for an additional 3 minutes. Finally, stir in the remaining 1 cup of granulated sugar and contents of 1 envelope of fruit pectin, bring mixture back to a full boil and boil an additional 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove pan from the burner and let it cool down for 10 minutes, stirring mixture occasionally with a nonstick silicone spatula. Spoon mixture into hot clean jars and seal. Process the jars in your water bath canner for 10 minutes.

Homemade Canning - Increasing and Canning Your Individual Food

For a extensive time, this posed a dilemma for hydro growers who wished to opt for organic rising approaches. But today organic and natural hydroponic fertilizers are extensively accessible, which make it doable to deliver a plant with the excellent mineral resolution, with out having to resort to non-natural and organic means. Reduced-acid veggies have to have to be canned a lot more cautiously to prevent spoilage. Even so, like fruits, the ideal garden can develop anything to can weekly or bi-weekly all 12 months-prolonged.

When setting up a residence-grown garden for canning, decide on vegetables for individual seasons:

Winter months Garden Create:

Cabbage

Brussels sprouts (in coastal locations)

Kale

Spring Garden Generate:

Asparagus

Celery

Dark leafy greens like spinach

Summertime by Drop Garden Make:

Green Beans or Lengthy Beans

Rhubarb

Peppers

Okra

Onions and Garlic

Peas

Zucchini

Dark Leafy Greens like Kale and Swiss Chard

Herbs

Even a modest family members garden, or container garden, can create adequate to stockpile canned develop. Many of these meals can well with minimal or no earlier cooking. Simply just scrub them, chop them up, things them into a jar, pour boiling h2o over them, screw on a lid, and place them into the pressure canner. Each vegetable, vegetable mix, or relish has a specific time and recipe that wants to be followed to the letter when canning it. Failure to adhere to a recipe for the distinct meals can end result in an inedible products, or even worse, spoilage.

Canning - Hot Pepper, Corn and Cucumber Pickle Relish Recipes

During the summer and fall months, I like to spend time in the kitchen canning foods that we have harvested from our backyard garden. Canning is easy to do and you can preserve for your foods for up to 1 year by canning them.

One of our favorite things to make with our excess garden vegetables is homemade relishes. To make the following recipes, I suggest using a food processor to finely chop up your vegetables to get them to the consistency that is needed for the recipes.

Here are 3 of our favorite recipes that we enjoy making.

Hot Pepper Relish

1 quart hot pepper sauce
1 large onion
1 tablespoon table salt
2 cups granulated sugar
1 pint white vinegar

Mix together the first 3 ingredients in a small bowl. Cover the bowl and let stand for 4 hours. Stir in the granulated sugar and white vinegar. Cook in a medium-sized pan, stirring frequently for 45 minutes. Pour mixture into hot jars and seal in a water bath canner. Makes 1 1/2 pints. This recipe can be easily doubled.

Homemade Canning - Include Canning in Your Emergency Food Stockpile

Many people equate food stockpile with end-of-the world scenarios. However, stockpiling food is essential for a number of reasons including weather emergencies, natural (and not-so-natural) disasters, cash flow shortages, increasing food prices, extended guest stays, power outages, and much more.

Stockpiling food by homemade canning can provide you and your family with healthy cooked food that is ready to eat with no electricity or fuel needed.

How Much Canned Food to Stockpile

To find out how much food to stockpile, figure four meals' worth per person in the household per day. Stockpile two weeks' worth at a minimum, while 3 months' worth or even two years is even better. The reason is, if the power is out due to the weather and you have guests or neighbors who need assistance, you may be able to provide for them too. Plus, if you (or your significant other) lose your job, you will have enough groceries in your storage for a few months or even years to supplement your food bill.

Make Home-Made Goods Through Jar Canning Quickly & Easily

An effective and safe way of preserving food is through jar canning.?While some people say that food canning is not that easy, it is actually an easy process. Safety should always come first when canning foods. Never fail to check canned foods before you consume them especially the expiration date which can vary depending on the kind of preserved food.

Containers should be kept for your next canning project. Take note that these jars should go through sterilization processes or steps prior to canning for safety. Also, this is a major factor in preserving your food thus, is a necessity. There are different techniques in canning but the two most common ones are pressure canning and water bath. The latter is largely used to process high acid foods and the former is mostly used for low acid foods.

A big no-no in jar canning is the reuse of the metal lids.?In contrast, the bands can still be reused to properly grip until they pop and seal throughout the cooling course. After, the band gives no other function so it can be already removed.?Lids are readily available and inexpensive. They can be purchased anytime.

The popping sound which happens during the cooling process is an indication that the jars are sealed. In canning, by using high pressure canner, forces air come out from the jars as the food is heated.?As soon as the containers cool, the seal or lid is bluntly sucked down to seal the jar. Unless the jars are intentionally opened, nothing can get in and out of the jar.

A cool and dry place is the perfect storage of canned goods. You have also to follow the recommended processing period specific for jar canning. For the reason that there are jar pop and seal, it does not mean that the food inside the jar is already safe.?The content of the jar should be heated using the right temperature, the right heating duration, and using the right technique.

Food must be heated and should remain that way for a definite period of time in order to destroy bacteria which it may contain. If your budget permits you and you can afford investing on a quality canner that fastens the way it should then it is much better. You should also remember that you should not skip steps, do short cuts or modify steps but to always follow jar canning instructions. This ensures safety. Lastly, do not fail to sterilize jars for canning.

Homemade Canning - Growing and Canning Your Own Food

When it comes to canning, the fresher the produce the better the flavor and the longer the shelf life would be of the canned produce. Avoid store-bought fruits and vegetables; these have been in cold storage, which results in a shorter shelf life and poorer flavor. Opt instead for produce purchased from a farmers market or from your garden.

How to Choose Produce to Can

If electing to purchase from a farmers market, make sure the produce is really from local farms and has been picked within three days of purchase. You can tell if the food is local by checking for distributor labels, rubber bands or ties, boxes from retailers, and so forth while at the market stalls. Also doing proper research on the farmers market or farmer stall helps to ensure the food is locally grown and not purchased in bulk from a distributor.

Even better yet, grow your own produce for best results. Home-grown foods picked at the peak of freshness and canned weekly or semi-weekly result in a delicious and fresh-picked taste that will win awards and smiles over store-bought goods. Research is the key to perfect canning. Find out which foods should be picked in the morning and which should be picked in the evening for the best flavor.

The Best Fruits for Home-Grown Canning

The easiest produce for homemade canning are fruits like peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, berries, quinces, oranges, apples, and cherries. These are also easier to grow and produce a large harvest from a single tree or two. Most fruits are high-acid and usually a lot of sugar goes into the process which further helps keep the fruits from spoiling.

A New Use for Old Canning Jars

We have all seen those beautiful canning jar candles with the pretty ribbon and potpourri. It is very easy to make your own canning jar candles with just a few inexpensive items that you can get from your local craft store or online. You will need wide mouth canning jars, ribbon, potpourri, votive candles with holders, and a hot glue gun. Make your own canning jar candles to add charm to the dinner table as a center piece or gift them to family and friends for gifts.

To start, fill the jar with potpourri. If you desire, add some extras such as dried apples or cinnamon sticks. Fill the jar full enough that when you set the candle holder on top it is even with the top of the jar. Place the candle in the holder once you have got the fit right. Next, glue the ribbon around the top mouth area of the canning jar. You can further personalize your canning jar candles by gluing on decorations. Canning jar candles are a great idea for Mother's Day or crafts for young children to take home.

Canning jar candles are great for all Holidays as well. Add pumpkin cut outs for Halloween, little bunnies for Easter, and Christmas trees or small ornaments for Christmas. Canning candle jars make excellent fundraisers or items to sell at the next craft show. The internet offers many great canning jar candle dcor ideas, especially for the holidays. Your local craft stores and the internet are great places to get canning jar candle ideas. Those of you who are more creative will have no trouble designing your own.

McCall's canning jar candles are already made. They come with wonderful labels that are very rustic looking. This candle collection comes in many wonderful fragrances with a zinc wick. These canning jar candles come in two sizes, the 5 ounce that burns for about 30-35 hours and the 16 ounce burns for 110-115 hours. The small candles retail for $13.63 and the larger ones are $24.63. While these are great candles as well, you will miss out on the experience of candle making if you choose to purchase them. You will also be able to make several of your own for the cost of one McCall's canning jar candle.

To save even more money when making canning jar candles, consider making your own votives. You can do this easily in you home. You will need paraffin wax, wick, and candle holders. You can choose to use dye for colored votives or scents to add a wonderful smell to the candles. It is very easy to melt the wax and add in whatever you want to make the color and smell you desire. Then simply pour the hot wax into the candle holders. To save even more, shop at thrift stores and yard sales for canning jars and votive holders at a very low price.

Canning jar candles are very easy to make and they are very beautiful. You can make them in very little time and young children will be able to do this with ease as long as you help them with the glue gun. Make canning jar candles for you own personal use or as gifts. These cute candles are very inexpensive to make and they last a very long time, giving a delicious aroma.

Great Canning Jar Candles

We have all seen those beautiful canning jar candles with the pretty ribbon and potpourri. It is very easy to make your own canning jar candles with just a few inexpensive items that you can get from your local craft store or online. You will need wide mouth canning jars, ribbon, potpourri, votive candles with holders, and a hot glue gun. Make your own canning jar candles to add charm to the dinner table as a center piece or gift them to family and friends for gifts.

To start, fill the jar with potpourri. If you desire, add some extras such as dried apples or cinnamon sticks. Fill the jar full enough that when you set the candle holder on top it is even with the top of the jar. Place the candle in the holder once you have got the fit right. Next, glue the ribbon around the top mouth area of the canning jar. You can further personalize your canning jar candles by gluing on decorations. Canning jar candles are a great idea for Mother€s Day or crafts for young children to take home.

Canning jar candles are great for all Holidays as well. Add pumpkin cut outs for Halloween, little bunnies for Easter, and Christmas trees or small ornaments for Christmas. Canning candle jars make excellent fundraisers or items to sell at the next craft show. The internet offers many great canning jar candle dcor ideas, especially for the holidays. Your local craft stores and the internet are great places to get canning jar candle ideas. Those of you who are more creative will have no trouble designing your own.

McCall€s canning jar candles are already made. They come with wonderful labels that are very rustic looking. This candle collection comes in many wonderful fragrances with a zinc wick. These canning jar candles come in two sizes, the 5 ounce that burns for about 30-35 hours and the 16 ounce burns for 110-115 hours. The small candles retail for $13.63 and the larger ones are $24.63. While these are great candles as well, you will miss out on the experience of candle making if you choose to purchase them. You will also be able to make several of your own for the cost of one McCall€s canning jar candle.

To save even more money when making canning jar candles, consider making your own votives. You can do this easily in you home. You will need paraffin wax, wick, and candle holders. You can choose to use dye for colored votives or scents to add a wonderful smell to the candles. It is very easy to melt the wax and add in whatever you want to make the color and smell you desire. Then simply pour the hot wax into the candle holders. To save even more, shop at thrift stores and yard sales for canning jars and votive holders at a very low price.

Canning jar candles are very easy to make and they are very beautiful. You can make them in very little time and young children will be able to do this with ease as long as you help them with the glue gun. Make canning jar candles for you own personal use or as gifts. These cute candles are very inexpensive to make and they last a very long time, giving a delicious aroma.

The Canning How To on Barbeque Sauce

These canning how-to tips came out of necessity. You see, I've been making my own barbeque sauce since I was a kid, but it caused conflict in my household.

I loved using the sauce as a grilling marinade so I'd make gallons of my "New York Attitude" Barbeque Sauce and portion it into used plastic Wonton Soup containers. The shear number of containers would fill my Mom's refrigerator.

I had to find a better way to preserve my sauce without taking up the whole fridge. "People have been preserving food for generations," I thought to myself. "They didn't have refrigerators or Chinese take-out containers, how did they do it?"

At the time, I probably had to go to the library and look through the encyclopedias. That seems laughable now, but even as a child, I knew there was a better way waiting for me. I found it with a 125 year old device, the two-part lid canning jar.

The inventors of these jars are really the creators of every canning how to instructions from that day forth. The idea is simple. Their jars consist of a flat lid with a rubber washer to seal the jar. A band fits over the lid, securing it to the jar but also allowing air to escape.

Under boiling water, air leaves the jar between the two parts of the lid. When it's cooled, it creates a vacuum, sealing the jar in an anaerobic environment. This not only preserves the sauce, but keeps it safe from bacterial growth as well.

Hot water canning is meant for highly acidic products like tomato sauce, marinades, and perfect for my barbeque sauce. At sea level, water boils at 212F or 100C. This is certainly hot enough to let the two piece lid do its job, and the acid content of the sauce will keep it safe.

The Precise Canning How To Steps:

Inspect all jars, lids, and bands for defects.

Wash all jars, lids, bands, and any other equipment that will come in contact with the sauce.

Place a round cake cooling rack in the bottom of a very large stock pot and fill with water.

Bring the water to a full, rolling boil.

Place the empty jars in the boiling water to sanitize them.

In a small saucepan or bowl, remove some boiling water and place the flat lids in the hot water.

Prepare your barbeque sauce and keep it very hot.

Remove the jars from the water bath, one at a time, and fill with barbeque sauce

Be sure to leave 1-2 inches of "head room" between the sauce and the lid.

Wipe the rim clean of any spilled sauce

Stir the jarred sauce with a wooden stick to drive out excess air

Remove the flat lid from the warm water and place it on top of the jar.

Secure the lid with a band and hand-tighten only.

Place the filled jar, standing up, into the boiling water canner.

Wait 15 minutes and remove the jar to cool.

(Add 5 minutes for every 3000 feet above sea level)

As the barbeque sauce cools, you'll hear the vacuum created as the jar lids are sucked toward the interior of the jar. Soft "ping", "ping", a symphony of suction is created and the jars are now safe for storage. Any jar lid that still yields to pressure when pressed with a finger has not sealed correctly. It should be refrigerated and not stored at room temperature.

The canning how to instructions are different for low acid products, because there's greater risk of bacterial growth. Items like vegetables or protein-based soups must be canned in a high-pressure canner because the boiling water bath does not get hot enough to assure the safety of the food.

As a child, I simply wanted to preserve refrigerator space. What I discovered is a process that's been around for more than a century. Home canning saves money, preserves fresh ingredients, and is a fun and easy hobby when you know the canning how to steps.

See the entire Canning How To video here.

Ball Canning Jars

From years men have thought of way to preserve food by different methods to ensure the supply throughout the year. Some tried salting of meat during the winter, pickling of fruits or making jams and jellies, while others tried heating to kill the germs and then preserving to protect from natural decay. Proper ways of home canning include the storage of food in a ball canning jar. Heating the jar to appropriate temperature and for appropriate time, processing the jar to kill the microorganisms and inactive the enzymes.

The history of ball canning jar manufacturing goes back to 1880 in New York, when Frank and Edmund Ball bought the wooden jacket can company and in 1884 the first ball jars were formed. Within 70 years the company produced 41 million canning jars due to which Ball enjoyed a great position in jar manufacturing companies. Then in 1897 Ball invented the first semi automatic jar making machines that made jar production faster and cheaper. With time Ball canning jars became desirable in people's sight and Ball corporation owned a number of other companies in different cities.

Collecting Ball Canning Jars
Pictures can say a good thousand words but the beauty of the ball canning jars can be appreciated only through first person encounter. Knowledge is power and knowledge can be increased by research, reading, interaction and by discussion with people of like mind. This knowledge can help you in spotting the right product for your collection of ball canning jars. Some jars are really expensive while others are worthless but in my opinion every jar has its own value. Ball jars are available in high degree of diversity, in different shapes and colors. Colored jars are more valuable as it allows less light to pass through such as a blue jar, keeping food preserved longer.

What to know about preserving food in Ball canning jars
The first thing to keep in mind is that before canning any food, make sure the jar is free from any nicks or cracks, The surface should be in proper shape to make a good seal

There are special ways of canning food, such as selecting a perfect jar, cleaning, heating the jar to kill germs, always follow an experts advice or a good book can help you

Food can be canned without sugar or salt, so no need to add sugar or salt if it is your dietary requirement

Every jar is not suitable or safe for canning

Canned food can remain fresh up to one year if properly processed

Water-bath Canning Vs. Pressure Canning

When choosing how to pickle or what pickle recipe's you would like to try, there are a number of things you want to keep in mind. One of those things is which canning method you would like to use. Home canning is a very simple process that can be done in two ways: pressure canning, or water-bath canning. Pressure canning is a process that requires a pressure canner, which can be often times, be expensive. You may however be able to find a cheap one with a little bit of hunting through garage sales or flea markets. Water-bath canning, on the other hand, can be done using only a couple of simple tools. We will assume that you will be using a water-bath canning method. The following article will explain this particular method.

Firstly, of course you will need a water-bath canner. You must make sure it is deep enough to hold enough water to submerge your canning jars by at least 1 inch. You will also need your canning jars, screw-on bands, and canning lids. It is the much-less-expensive, tried-and-true way of canning. It is a way of preserving hundreds of foods, including salsa, jam, jelly, pickled fruits and vegetables, as well as relish for hundreds of years. It is a great canning method for beginners, or avid canners.

A water-bath canner is basically a large pot with a rack that will hold up to seven mason quart jars or up to sixteen pint jars. By using a large stock pot and being creative with wire, one could improvise a rack to create their own water bath canner. As long as the jars avoid direct heat from the burner and are completely submersed in the water, a number of crafty setups could be used. If you would like to save the trouble of rigging your own, they can be readily purchased at many locations or online.

The way a water-bath canner functions is that it increases the temperature of your canning jar to a temperature hot enough to kill yeast, bacteria, and molds that are found in food. The heat also creates air bubbles that push the air inside the jar out as the contents inside the jar heat and expand. When the jar cools down to room temperature, the air pressure creates a seal that prevents air and other organisms from entering the jar, preventing the food from spoiling, thus the reason for canning's existence.

It is essential that the jars are free of nicks or cracks and that the rim is flat. They should also be newly washed, either by hand or dishwasher, so they are sterile and free of any micro-organisms. The process begins by filling the canning jar with the desired ingredients. Make sure to wipe the rim clean with a laundered towel so as to create an ideal seal. Place the lid on the rim, making sure to center it so that the rubber is on the entire rim and then screw on the band. The band does not need to be screwed on tightly; over-tightened bands do not allow the gasses to escape the jars. Then you will place the jars into the water-bath on the rack. Make sure the water is covering all of the jars by at least one inch and then bring the water to a boil. When finished, turn off heat and let sit for a full five minutes before removing jars from the canner. Be sure to let the canning jars cool, so as not to burn yourself.

As the canning jars cool off, the tops should pop closed as they seal, meaning that; after sealing the tops will not depress by pressing down on with your finger. If the jars are not sealed, the center of the lid will pop up and down when pressed. Either throw these jars away or eat the contents within a week. If the lids did not seal, do not use them again as they will not seal if used again.

Once the jars are cooled they may be stored. It is best if they are stored in a cool dark place like a basement or pantry. Contents will be ready to eat according to the recipe. Make sure that before eating, the contents are inspected for signs of spoilage: mold, gas, cloudiness, odors, or drainage. If spoilage has occurred, do not eat the contents of the can as it may cause serious sickness.

Here is a simple pickling recipe for you to try out!

Delicious Pickles:
Wash cucumbers, pack into sterilized canning jars.
Solution (sufficient for 3 gallons of pickles in glass jars):
1 gallon vinegar
1 cup salt
pound (16 tablespoons) dry mustard, make sure to fully mix the dry mustard in with vinegar so that there are no clumps. A good way to do this is to take a little vinegar and make a paste type of substance with the dry mustard, then mix this into the vinegar.

Pour mixture over cucumbers in your sterilized jars and seal at once (Using the method of your choice.). Store pickles without removing screw bands.

I hope that this helps you to choose your method of pickling, and make sure to head on over to my homepage for many more pickling tips and recipes. Also visit the forums to share info with other picklers.

Copyright 2006 Jonathan Heusman

Weck Canning Jars

In the beginning of the 19th century, J. Weck Company was founded in O flingen Germany. It introduced the home canning method in glass jars and became popular not only in Europe but worldwide. Weck jars are those beautiful jars that you so around in many houses with a glass lid and a rubber seal. Weck jars are a little expensive than those other common jars available at every grocery store but the strawberry mark weck canning jars' beauty and the quality worth the price.

Advantages of weck canning jars
Weck canning jars bring satisfaction and the realization of family and friends. Weck has been successful in providing canning jars to preserve food in healthy and economical way especially when the food is home grown. Weck canning jars:

Have mouth wide open for easy fill

Are made of glass lids that do not rust

Glass Canning Jars

The glass canning jars is a modern and stylish type of jar that is used to preserve the food items. They are generally used in home canning for the purpose of storing the different eatable items. These classical glass canning jars are made according to the requirements of the people for the preservation of the food. In this modern age this equipment is designed by keeping the requirements of the most of people in view. This is the most modern, stylish and attractive product that is designed for the ease in preserving the food items. These are designed as high efficient and high quality so that these can be purchased and utilized individually by everyone.
These are the simple and beautiful glass canning jars that are found today just for the use in several homes, according to the needs of the people. These classic glass canning jars are reliable to utilize and do not have leakage problem, crack and break quickly issues over a long period of time. Surely keep the things safe by encasing in glass canning jars.

3 Secrets to Conquer Soggy Home Canned Dill Pickles

Home canning has been a part of our family traditions for as long as I can remember. Each year, when the harvest was complete and preserved in our family cellar I loved to be the one to give the final count on the fruit of our labors - peaches, pears, applesauce, beets, green beans, strawberry jam, and....PICKLES! I loved the pickles.

One particular day I wandered down to the cellar. I looked around the room, it was loaded with perfect home canned fruit and vegetables right out of our family garden and orchard. But...I had my mind set on one thing. I carefully scanned the shelves - Ah ha I found what I was looking for -- a bottle of dill pickles I had canned myself.

As the bottle came off the self, my mouth started to water. Those pickles looked so good, I could hardly wait to get the lid off the bottle.

I finally made it to the kitchen and popped off the lid - immediately the smell of those home canned pickles wafted through the room - I couldn't wait any longer. Out came the biggest pickle and I sunk my teeth into it.

Surprise! My joy quickly turned to despair when my teeth squished into a soggy dill pickle - not even worth eating! Almost weeping I ran to mother. What bad thing had happened to my pickles?

With a twinkle in her eye and a half smile, she started quizzing me down: "How long did the cucumbers wait before you pickled them?" "What size were the cucumbers that you used?" "Did you get them right out of the hot water bath when it started to boil?" Etc.

After playing detective for a couple of minutes, she laughed and gave me these important keys:

3 Family Secrets for Crispy Home Canned Pickles:

1. Harvest your cucumbers early in the morning and pickle them within 24 hours. The quicker the better. If you start with fresh, crisp, firm cucumbers you will have a better pickling experience.

2. Don't let the cucumbers get too big. Smaller cucumbers become better pickles.

3. When you process the bottles of pickles - make sure you DON'T over cook them. The less they are cooked, the more crisp and crunchy they will be.

Believe me, I learned a valuable lesson - one I never forgot! Next time I canned my dill pickles I followed these guidelines religiously. My dream came true - to bite down into a crispy, crunchy, mouth-watering home canned baby dill pickle

I wanted to share these family secrets with you so your pickling experience can be a successful and happy one. Good luck fellow pickle lovers!

Canning - How To Make Homemade Pear Marmalade

When it comes to home canning, one of the easiest recipes you can make is some type of fruit marmalade and this pear marmalade recipe is no exception.

You will need your basic home canning supplies: water bath canner, half-pint or pint-sized mason jars, seals and rings, jar lifter, ladle, silicone nonstick spatula and a funnel.

If you enjoy giving homemade food gifts during the holiday season, this is a nice one to make and give as a gift. If you seal your mason jars correctly, this marmalade should last for up to 1 year.

Pear Marmalade Recipe

4 lbs. fresh pears
8 cups granulated sugar
2 cups tap water
4 fresh oranges
1 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated orange rind

Wash and remove stems and leaves from pears. Peel off the skins and chop the flesh up into small pieces. Peel the skin off the oranges and discard the seeds and membranes. Reserve one small piece of the orange rind and finely grate it until you have 1 1/2 teaspoons of finely grated orange rind. Chop the flesh of the oranges into small pieces.

In a large stock pot, combine all of the above ingredients and bring to a rapid boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for approximately 45 minutes or until the mixture thickens. You will need to stir the mixture every 8 to 10 minutes using a nonstick silicone spatula to keep it from sticking to the pot.

Wash and clean your half-pint or pint-sized mason jars. You will want to warm up your jars using your oven set at 200 degrees F. Remove jars from the oven, one at a time. Ladle the hot mixture into clean warm jars leaving a 1/2" head space. Wipe the jar rim clean with a soft cotton towel. Place ring and seal onto the jar.

Process jars in your water bath canner for 10 minutes or according to manufacturers instructions.

This recipe will make approximately 4 to 5 half-pint jars of marmalade.