For this I use the water bath canning method. One can also use a pressure cooker canner, but water is easier.

Apple butter adds elegance to bread and is delicious as a baste to chicken and pork.  It can be a sauce for ice cream, oatmeal, baked apples, and - well, your imagination is the limit!

This is the easiest recipe I have, and I like easy! Please read the whole process before starting so you know all the steps and have everything you need. …read more of Apple Butter: Simple Canning Recipe here

There are several true and fast ways to preserve your fruits and vegetables. One of the easiest methods is water-bath canning, which anyone can do at home.

Having an enormous bounty this year, I needed to preserve my excess. You can also use local produce or a pick-your-own if you do not have a garden. After looking through my favorite and family recipes for the garden items I had, I decided to water-bath can my abundance.

Since I haven’t done this process in about ten years, I called experts and reread several ancient cookbooks that have been passed down for generations. I also went to the library to research any time-savers or updated tips, and to my surprise, there was hardly any information on water bath canning! So, I decided to write this series for anyone interested. …read more of Water-Bath Canning Simplified: Methods, Recipes and Tools for the Newbie or Pro here

You might ask why you would spend a weekend preserving food, it seems so time consuming and difficult. Well, the perks are unbeatable; Save money, eat healthier, impress your guests when entertaining while being less stressed to do so because you have pre-made gourmet items at hand, have great gifts to give, create memories and extend traditions to your children and grandchildren, shorten your preparation time for holiday meals and what’s best is that you made it yourself. You can even have a get together or canning party to make or swap items. The choices we make can change the world.

This article will give you an overall understanding of both methods; pressure cooker canning and water-bath canning.

For people with memories of Grandma’s pantry it is heartwarming seeing rows of homemade piccalilli, tomato sauce, soups and spreads in your cupboard. …read more of Canning Preservation Methods Expanded: Two Ways To Use At Home here

The Fair Trade initiative is a market-based approach that empowers small growers and craftspeople by organizing them into co-operatives.  Fair Trade’s strategic intent is to work with marginalized producers and workers to achieve economic self-sufficiency and environmental standards.

According to Fairtrade Labelling Organizations (FLO), as of 2007 almost 8 million producers and their families have benefited from Fair Trade projects.¹ The global market for Fair Trade goods experienced significant growth in 2008 and in the face of a global recession, realized sales of about $4.08 billion worldwide, a 22% annual increase.²  An impressive feat that can be attributed to the outstanding partnerships that have evolved between Fair Trade companies such as Alter Eco and the producer communities nurtured by international Fair Trade organizations. …read more of Purple Jasmine Rice Pudding: Fair Trade and Gluten-Free. Sweet! here

Who says you have to eat watermelon off the rind? This sassy summer salad is great for lunch on the go, barbecues, post workout snack, and kids enjoy it too.

It’s easy to make and tastes great. Watermelon is a powerful food, rich in Vitamin A, B Vitamins, vitamin C, lycopene, magnesium, and potassium.

Not only is it s thirst quencher, but helpful in reducing inflammation caused by asthma, diabetes, colon cancer, arthritis, and swelling caused by pregnancy and a recent study shows that watermelon juice prevents erectile dysfunction.
…read more of Inspiring Fresh Recipes here