Can you imagine living 150 years ago. Meat was a precious commodity. The lack of proper protein caused a lot of illness, failure to thrive, and starvation. How blessed are we to be able as homesteaders to produce a quality and nutritious diet for our families. To live intentionally and mindfully of all we are blessed with, i believe, grows better, more compassionate, and appreciative people.
I will never forget my first kill. It was a young buck. I was not ready for the emotions that came from it. At first I felt empowered. It was exhilarating. But during the gutting and hanging process. I was filled with a deep sadness, during that process. When we were ready to cut it up I was ok. But ever since I have gotten anxiety and I have been hunting, but haven’t killed anything since. I am glad you have talked about it. I think may people have gone through the same things. 💛
I just used my digital pressure canner for the first time (I had never done any pressure canning before this). Definitely perfect for a beginner. I did chicken and broth and found the process very easy and rewarding. One thing though - mine does beep when it's time for the next step. That can be turned off, though, so I would look and make sure yours is turned on. I also must say you make breaking down a bird sooo easy, when really, it's not as easy as you make it look. lol Love your channel!
Thank you for your honesty about the butchering process and how it makes you feel. Alot of content just states "it has to be done to feed our family". Well, yes it does, but I haven't heard anyone else talk about how it makes them feel. Thank you for that!
I so appreciate your discussion about raising meat, butchering meat, and dealing with the emotions of that. I do not raise my own meat, but we have these conversations in my home too and when we are watching your channel. Really value your perspective on this and the willingness to share it.
I can remember my mom not eating chicken and one day I asked her why didn’t she eat chicken and her reply was when she was very little her job was to wring the necks of the chicken during processing day and after doing that for so long she never wanted to see a chicken or eat one, she was born in 1921 so I’m sure that they ate a lot of chicken during the depression.
Chelsea, you need to plant lovage in your herb garden. It’s the best addition to any soup pot or soup base! My mother used it and the soup was always amazing and her family of nine enjoyed every pot! She as Dutch.
My husband got me the Electric Presto canner a couple of years ago. I love mine. You mentioned that your doesn't beep, mine beeps when the jars are heated, when it is ready for the regulator and for a few other things as well.
I also love my presto electric canner. I’m sure hers beeps as well. I’m guessing she’s not in the room when it happens. She did put the jars in to warm then went out to the garden. When she came back it was ready to fill. I don’t believe there was water in the jars when she warmed them. I may have missed it though.
I bought the Nesco electric canner. It does beep at me when it has vented for 10 minutes. I then add the weight and that’s it. I absolutely love mine. I have done green beans and jarred up some pinto beans. So much fun . I just love canning .
Chelsea, thanks for sharing your thoughts about raising and butchering your own meat. It can be an emotional process and I love that you show such consideration for your livestock. Let’s hope you get some rain out west to help fight the fires. 😍🇨🇦
Integrity is judged by your actions. You definingly have integrity. I was waiting for the canning outdoors disclosure and true to your name you came through. I will be a repeat viewer and will share my experience. Two thumbs up!
I could never live without meat! I become very weak when I do not eat enough beef or lamb! When my husband shot a moose and an elk at another time and we had to process the meat,etc I felt a deep reverence and awe and we gave thanks for the lives that were given in order that we would be nourished. I think we are suppose to be deeply intimate with the food that we consume! Thank you for the conversation!
I so appreciate your thoughts on raising your meat. My daughter and I are (she is 33) both pescatarian. Her reason is purely for environmental reasons, and mine is I just don’t like it. Thank you for all you do with your channel. I have been a fan for a long time.🩵
I'm not a person without feelings or emotions quite the opposite. I cry over everything. When it comes time for me to process food for my family, then I have no qualms about it. It is a process that has to be done. Everything born dies in one way or another. In the animal kingdom, one animal is food for another. For me, it's the same with cows, chicken pigs, and sheep fowls. I've processed everything from fish to cows, pigs to deer, elk, mouse, and most birds. Have smoked, salted, canned, and froze all foods over 50 yrs. I can only can & freeze most foods bought now due to my age but my adult kids have taken the reigns on everything in homesteading. I'm so thankful and had been blessed that we've been able to live off the land when I was raising my kids, and now my grandchildren are really benefiting from it. I learned from my grandparents and great grandparents, who all lived to 101 to 104 and still were in the garden and kitchen well up into their late 90's. So I've still got some teaching to do .. I absolutely love watching your video's it brings back so many wonderful memories of my younger self and all the work it takes in caring for your family ...
So appreciate one generation teaching the next generation. With my kids it's more that they don't want to learn. Because they want to be more modern. It's not that they didn't eat food from scratch but they wanted to go out to eat or buy premade products.. they like doing everything the easy way. I hope as they get older and start their own family they will try to cook something old fashioned way.
I got a big case of fresh sweet corn yesterday morning and spent a chunk of the day shucking and de-kernelling the cobs. It is about 4am here in one of the big agricultural engines of California - the San Joaquin Valley - and I am loading the jars and getting that hot pressure canning done by 8am this morning. Have a whole house fan so it's pulling cool night air in the windows. We feel actually cool with highs around 92F/33C this weekend since we have been blasted by 105F-115F / 40.6C-46.1C for most of July thus far. It's dry heat but hot is hot. This is just more oven like than a sauna. It is the only thing I pressure can every other year in summer, because I really abhor this season in this hot-summer place. It's just me mostly, of the people I know. I try to keep the OMG (gasp!) comments to a minimum. Good luck with all of your gardening and canning/preserving this summer! 😎 I admire your energy and fortitude but I am about a generation older than you even tho' I still feel about age 30 in my mind. That brain writing checks the body can't cash IS a THING! hahahaha
Good job! Butchering is one of those things that I know must be done but the first birds are always the toughest. After that, I kind of get in the zone and get it done. Because there is just me butchering, smaller batches are required, so although there are a few days between each processing day for chilling, I do go through this each time. And although I don't eat a lot of meat, if one thinks about it, something must die for others to survive, plants included. It boils down to how we "value" each life and the cuteness factor associated. Good video!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Honestly, you are such a strong person both physically and emotionally. I get so overwhelmed in the kitchen when it's hot...and here you are doing all of this work at 6:30am and explaining each step as you go. You are an inspiration to me.😊
Many years ago, Hubby mentioned that when I used my chicken stock, which I made much like Chelsea does, with vegs and herbs added, that all he could taste was the vegs/herbs. He wanted to be able to taste the chicken! Or beef, or lamb, or whatever. So, I started making my stock without any vegs or herbs. And everything goes into the pot that will not get eaten--fat, wing tips, everything. The thick fat layer is easy to remove once it is cooled or chilled. So the result is virtually fat free. The flavor is wonderful. When I make soups or stews, the fresh items added flavor the chicken beautifully, but that lovely chicken flavor still comes through. It saves quite a bit of time making the stock, too, which I guess is really "juice." Hubby loves it. Thanks for the videos; I always enjoy them.
I just found your channel and have watched a few videos 😊. First let me say that your style of vlog is quite relaxing and I enjoy how you talk to the camera as if we are there with you. I fully appreciated that you shared your feelings about butchering and your relationship with your father growing up. I occasionally struggle with the morality of eating meat. We tried vegan for about 6 months but couldn’t make it work permanently with our family at this time. Possibly in the future when I have less mouths to feed. Anyway it was interesting to hear your views on the subject as it’s not usually something you hear from most homestead channels.
If you are growing watermelon, try freezing squares of it. Put it in a blender with lemonade. You'll never drink it plain again. Yum. God bless you all and many prayers 🙏🏻 Nurse Judi in Scottsdale AZ and Eucharistic Minister 🙏🏻
5 years ago I quit eating meat and dairy altogether for health and moral reasons. The 10 years prior I rarely ate meat. Physically I feel much better and I don’t have a heaviness in my heart . My dad raised beef and he named all of his cattle. When he would butcher one he always mentioned which one it was when we would have a meal. Of course I couldn’t eat it then. It has always weighed heavily on me. But I understand not everyone is the same. I like to watch your channel for your gardening and cooking but I usually skip over the meat portion. Thank you for sharing with us ❤
My Presto digital canner did not beep when I first received it. I sent it back and it was returned to me with a nice beep sound. It was a real pain to have to watch the screen and now it is so much easier. You can give them a call. They are very customer friendly.
I love the Presto electric pressure canner!! It does beep when the next action is ready, but it’s not loud, so if you’re not in the room it’s easy to miss.
Yes mine beeps too! But it's not very loud at all. I love this canner. If you can cook in an instant pot you can use this to pressure can. I was scared to death to pressure can with the stove top presto.
I was thinking about your feelings on the meat processing and then was thinking how in Old Testament they were told to raise meat. Processing it properly and feeding them selves. I am quite aged and watching my mom from quite young with chickens and other meats . I know for me that I’m still okay and thankful that God has provided us with meat.
Tips for your PRESTO Pressure Canner. I have been using mine for 4 years or so, so I have a little experience. First, there should be a beep noise between each stage that alerts you to do the next step. Your canner may not have it since it's a newer model, but mine sounds like a microwave beeping. Second, I normally fill my jars before I start the canner itself and go ahead and put them into the canner. Use cold water if your jar contents are cold, which you already know. :) Then, after the fill jars notification, you just press the right arrow to continue. As the canner warms the water, it warms the jars and contents evenly. I honestly prefer my electric canner over my three stovetop canners. It makes it super easy to do a few jars quickly and run them through, especially if I have only a few pounds of produce or beans to can at one time. I hope this helps.
I remember the first time I did meat birds. Took them to the hutterites, so didn’t do it myself. After I picked them up I processed them, I couldn’t eat chicken for a couple of weeks. I got over it, but I think it was mostly the smell at the butcher. It was overwhelming. Same thing if I do them myself.
I have a presto stovetop and electric. I live both. Since it is just me, with a little extra to gift, both do well. I just got a steam distiller. I am planning on using it for apple and pear juice after making butters. I will give the leftover plant matter to my neighbor for her chickens.
I have the Presto digital canner and a Presto stove top canner. Now that it’s just two of us, I don’t do big batches, so I’m just using the digital. I absolutely love it! It makes it so much easier in all the ways you mentioned. It doesn’t heat up the house, it’s quiet, and you don’t have to babysit the temperature like you do on the stovetop. It’s easy to clean because you are washing a lighter weight insert, similar to the instant pot. I paid around $250 in USD, it may have been on sale. I can’t say enough good things about it.
I SSOOoo appreciate your organization, etc. in the kitchen. Your family is blessed! Years ago(1960s) when I was in my Home Economics class, we were taught to cut ⬆️ chickens. I was taught your way!
I have that electric canner and a nesco/carey. I prefer the nesco. My main problem with the electrics is that I am short & it is hard to see if the gauge is in the right position. A regular one is easier in that regard. Other than that, they are very handy in the deep south
I had to cut up some chicken for a canning project today, and I watched your video last night. I am so glad I did because you showed me how to cut it up. I realized I definitely need a sharper knife! Thank you for making that easier for me, a dozen jars ofchicken stew are done!
We processed 86 chickens last weekend. They were split between 6 families. I felt the same way that you do. I even said to my husband that maybe this will be the last year. We’ll see.
Maybe somebody has mentioned already, but the electric pressure canner does beep at each stage to notify you of the next step. It’s not very loud, but mine beeps when I need to insert jars, put the regulator on, etc. It’s the only way I’ve ever pressure canned and I absolutely love it!
My Presto digital does beep when it’s ready for its next step. Not very loud, but my house is small so I can hear it. I love this canner. Great for smaller batches. It’s versatile too since it can also be used for water bath canning.
Thank you for this video! Sharing your thoughts on butchering animals and your father's life was very touching and thought provoking. I have a presto canner Ive had for years, still in the box and never touched it. However, I have 2 Nesco electric canners that I absolutely love! They were more affordable for me and I can do two batches at once. I thoroughly enjoy your channel every time I visit. 👍🏻👍🏻
Start checking your Goodwill and thrift stores! I got two of the pressure canners like you are using for $30! I could not believe it I brought them home and they still had the papers and everything was still wrapped and had never been used. So check them out if you're just starting out that's the best place to go. I live in South Texas and it is so hot trying to use my stove top ones but I have to every year. But this year the hurricane took most of my garden so running those just seem to be the best for me cuz they were smaller batches. I have no complaints about them at all they have done amazing with everything I've put in them.
Your chicken are a beautiful size, and I understand how it must feel, dispatching so many birds. I haven't done that but my mother taught me how to part out a chicken years ago, I'm grateful for that knowledge today. I have seen other homesteaders on UA-cam also loving that electric one. I have my stove top canner that I'm happy with.
I was amazed at the price! A Presto electric pressure canner that holds 12 qts is only $255 at Amazon in the states. Not sure what getting it here then shipping to you would cost but it would have to be cheaper. If you ever need help with doing something like this, let me know. I watch all your shows and though I am not a "commenter", I love your show and feel like you are a neighbor. That's the southern girl in me 😁.
Amen! I'm a southern gal born and bred. My mom was 40 and daddy was 57 when I was born. I always watched mama do everything and began helping her and daddy on our 8 acre mini farm. While the boys in school would be excused from classes for haying and harvest I was the only girl who did the same. So we were a family of 9, me the only girl and when mama saw how I had learned so much from her at 12yo she retired from cooking meals. So it has taken me years to learn how to cook less, lol. But on the days I cook to much I have happy neighbors and friends. Next month I will begin babysitting for my closest neighbors who have a 6yo and soon to be 6mo, boys. I promised my homemade cookies every afternoon when big brother comes home from school. I've been baking cookies and other desserts for him since he was 4. It's comical in a way because the family is African American and people give quizzical looks hearing him call this ole white lady Maw. Gods sweet Blessings for sure! Blessings to you and yours!
I have the same presto canner and it beebs between every step. And for pressure canning you have to take the regulator of until it tells you to put it back on. I love this one. I was too scared to use one of the "old fashion " pressure canner but feel very comfortable with the presto.
You might want to look into the Carey/Nesco electric pressure canner as well. I have 2 of them and love them have had no problems. They do beep at the vent switching time. I got my first one a few years before presto came out with theirs and the second one when I saw the price of the Presto. Different companies sell them for different prices. Right now Amazon has one for $115. And another seller has it for $256. So it's best to shop around. My last one i bought of a company when I googled who had them for sale because they were out of stock on Amazon. RoseRed homestead did a comparison of the Presto and Carey. They are both good canners. I've had mine for many years and had no problems I don't can as much as you do but I do can quite a bit. Just a thought for you. I enjoy your content.
I have 2 Nesco electric canners that I love. They seem a little easier than the Presto. And less expensive. You can’t waterbath quarts, but I use a steam canner for that, so it’s not an issue 😊 There’s only one lid. The pressure gauge stays on all the time, you just move it from vent to pressure at the appropriate time. It beeps between cycles to let you know it needs attention. (At least I’m told it does😂. I’m nearly deaf and would need to be on top of it.). I just babysit until it’s at the pressure/canning countdown and set a timer on my phone for that time plus the cooldown time.
I have the presto electric canner and absolutely love it. Another good feature is once it is canning you don’t have to watch it like a traditional canner. One more thing is mine does beep when the next step should be done. It’s faint and I have missed it, but it definitely beeps between steps to alert you that something new needs to be done or it’s doing something new on its own.
I am stoked to hear about the butchering process - physical and mental & emotional toll. If the goal is to raise your own food to eat and meat is the choice protein, then butchering and/or paying someone to butcher your animals is part of the goal. I grew up on a farm and my grandma did have chickens for a number of years. I have family who are hunters. I 100% support and advocate for humane raising and butchering of animals, but I don't think I can bring myself to be a part of that process. I took a fish life once and it was a horrible experience on a few levels...and I was in my late 20s with kids so I wasn't a child or anything. I am grateful for people who can do that process for me because I do enjoy eating meat - particularly beef. A few years back I started raw feeding my dogs and parting out whole chickens, ducks, and especially rabbits was a huge thing for me. My husband didn't even want to be anywhere near where he could hear the bones snapping at the joints. Empowering is a great word you used in reference to having those skills. I was already fairly aware and tried to do my best to purchase from sustainable farms and from places that have humane practices, but doing even the parting out different animals has made me really consider and humble me more about the cost of the life to feed myself and animals. It has made me more cognizant of food waste (again growing up on a farm and poor I thought I was better than most but noticed even more how I could do better). That whole knowing where your food comes from thing is so much more than what a lot of tradwifes and what my kids call crunchy mom things show on social media and the blogs talk about even at the farmers market. With all the commercialization of all food processes, we have really as a people/society, become so detached from something we do on a daily basis to survive. Commercialization hasn't all been bad but I do think that the detachment is detrimental to us and how we treat our bodies, livestock, and environment. Thank you for sharing your stories and perspectives of butchering your own livestock - and including your dad's story as a butcher shop owner and the psychological toll it takes over time even if your morals and emotions aren't compromised along the way.
I clicked so fast! I love your canning videos! I love, love learning new preservation methods from you, and since I expanded my garden this year, I can’t wait to see what you’ll do with all your veggies!
Seeing the size of the breasts your processing makes me feel at least a bit better about the gigantic ones we currently buy from the store while looking for homestead property. They are SO MUCH bigger these days than they ever were growing up raising our own. Some seriously look like smallish turkey breasts its crazy! Thanks for sharing as its very helpful and I must say relaxing. Not sure if its your mic, voice, demeaner, or just all of those in perfect harmony but glad i found your channel!
We raised meat rabbits on our last property and your musings about the ethics of raising, harvesting, and butchering are very similar to how we approached this. Now that we've moved to a larger property and can support more animals, we will be adding meat animals back in. We eat meat, so we want them to have their best possible lives and the quickest, most humane death possible in that process. The amount of space and the amount of time we'd need to invest to grow our own vegetarian protein is just not feasible in our location.
The electric canner does give an audible sound when it’s time for the next cycle. The sound isn’t extremely loud and it is not continuous tho so if you’re not in earshot of it you’ll most likely miss it.
I have the Presto electric canner as well. I was surprised to hear that you aren’t hearing the beep for each notification. Sadly, it only does 1 beep for each change..so I could understand how it could be missed.
I love your thoughts and feelings on butchering as it helps put into perspective what becoming a homesteader could holds for me and my family emotionally too. You may want to reach out to Presto as I have an electric canner (which I love) and it beeps between rounds usually 2 beeps, but will continue to beep until I put the regulator on and continue to the next step. Thank you for a great video.
Excellent video Chelsea. I think it is good to talk about raising your own meat and the whole process from start to finish. People used to give me flack about myself doing it, going hunting and getting a deer/birds/moose etc.. and I would say do you eat meat? Yes, well where do you get it? Oh a grocer, and how do you think it got there. I did find it hard at first to do it. I remember always having to cover the head. That part really bothers me still to this day. I always always use every part of the animal that we can. We have a dog and friends also so just share. There are just so many things you can do. I would so prefer this than not knowing how long the meat you purchase has been there. How many times have they changed the label for the expiry date? I have seen it. Yes I do purchase some meat at Costco off and on as well. Pressure canning chicken and beef is just such a time saver. I do a lot of chicken. By the way your meat birds looked fantastic. Those breasts where incredible. As for stock even more a plus as so many stocks have the high salt. I always leave the fat on the top it just ads to the flavor. Happy canning Chelsea.
Really enjoy your videos! I totally understand the feeling on butchering day. The same thing happens to me and I went thru the same thoughts on maybe growing more in the garden but came to the same conclusion.
On my canner exactly like yours it beeps twice before each step and then I hit the button so it continues ... then at the end it beeps 10 times and then does the cool down etc ... that's strange ... I just bought mine as I'm living in an apartment now and the stove isn't like mine was it's cheap and worn out so opted for the electric one and I love it ...
I always think it is important to have a little sadness when you butcher and appreciate the blessing of life.
Can you imagine living 150 years ago. Meat was a precious commodity. The lack of proper protein caused a lot of illness, failure to thrive, and starvation. How blessed are we to be able as homesteaders to produce a quality and nutritious diet for our families. To live intentionally and mindfully of all we are blessed with, i believe, grows better, more compassionate, and appreciative people.
I will never forget my first kill. It was a young buck. I was not ready for the emotions that came from it. At first I felt empowered. It was exhilarating. But during the gutting and hanging process. I was filled with a deep sadness, during that process. When we were ready to cut it up I was ok. But ever since I have gotten anxiety and I have been hunting, but haven’t killed anything since. I am glad you have talked about it. I think may people have gone through the same things. 💛
I just used my digital pressure canner for the first time (I had never done any pressure canning before this). Definitely perfect for a beginner. I did chicken and broth and found the process very easy and rewarding. One thing though - mine does beep when it's time for the next step. That can be turned off, though, so I would look and make sure yours is turned on.
I also must say you make breaking down a bird sooo easy, when really, it's not as easy as you make it look. lol
Love your channel!
Yes, mine beeps too.
I don’t know about your dad , but you sure look like an artist to me separating the chicken. I take my hat off to you.
That comment just made my day!
Exactly! I've watched _a lot_ of pro chef/home cook videos on how to break down a chicken. Chelsea is the best.
I very much respect how humanely you raise your animals.
Thank you for your honesty about the butchering process and how it makes you feel. Alot of content just states "it has to be done to feed our family". Well, yes it does, but I haven't heard anyone else talk about how it makes them feel. Thank you for that!
I always put the wing tips right into the stock pot.
So do I !!
I so appreciate your discussion about raising meat, butchering meat, and dealing with the emotions of that. I do not raise my own meat, but we have these conversations in my home too and when we are watching your channel. Really value your perspective on this and the willingness to share it.
I can remember my mom not eating chicken and one day I asked her why didn’t she eat chicken and her reply was when she was very little her job was to wring the necks of the chicken during processing day and after doing that for so long she never wanted to see a chicken or eat one, she was born in 1921 so I’m sure that they ate a lot of chicken during the depression.
My dad had the same issue. He never got over that and wouldn’t eat chicken.
My mom was the same, and my mother in law😊
My dad didn't eat chicken or turkey. On holidays we made him steak or pork chops. @marywesley316
My grandma the same way
Chelsea, you need to plant lovage in your herb garden. It’s the best addition to any soup pot or soup base! My mother used it and the soup was always amazing and her family of nine enjoyed every pot! She as Dutch.
The presto should beep I between stages. Maybe contact customer support and ask why yours isn't making the beeps
My husband got me the Electric Presto canner a couple of years ago. I love mine. You mentioned that your doesn't beep, mine beeps when the jars are heated, when it is ready for the regulator and for a few other things as well.
Mine beeps as well, I love my Presto! I’ve had it for three years now!
I also love my presto electric canner. I’m sure hers beeps as well. I’m guessing she’s not in the room when it happens. She did put the jars in to warm then went out to the garden. When she came back it was ready to fill. I don’t believe there was water in the jars when she warmed them. I may have missed it though.
I bought the Nesco electric canner. It does beep at me when it has vented for 10 minutes. I then add the weight and that’s it. I absolutely love mine. I have done green beans and jarred up some pinto beans. So much fun . I just love canning .
Chelsea, thanks for sharing your thoughts about raising and butchering your own meat. It can be an emotional process and I love that you show such consideration for your livestock. Let’s hope you get some rain out west to help fight the fires. 😍🇨🇦
Integrity is judged by your actions. You definingly have integrity. I was waiting for the canning outdoors disclosure and true to your name you came through. I will be a repeat viewer and will share my experience. Two thumbs up!
I could never live without meat! I become very weak when I do not eat enough beef or lamb! When my husband shot a moose and an elk at another time and we had to process the meat,etc I felt a deep reverence and awe and we gave thanks for the lives that were given in order that we would be nourished. I think we are suppose to be deeply intimate with the food that we consume! Thank you for the conversation!
I have never seen anyone separate a chicken as smoothly as you. It’s obvious you’ve had more than enough practice.
I so appreciate your thoughts on raising your meat. My daughter and I are (she is 33) both pescatarian. Her reason is purely for environmental reasons, and mine is I just don’t like it. Thank you for all you do with your channel. I have been a fan for a long time.🩵
Such an honest reflection on meat consumption and the cost of taking lives. Chelsea you're a gem 💎
I'm not a person without feelings or emotions quite the opposite. I cry over everything. When it comes time for me to process food for my family, then I have no qualms about it. It is a process that has to be done. Everything born dies in one way or another. In the animal kingdom, one animal is food for another. For me, it's the same with cows, chicken pigs, and sheep fowls. I've processed everything from fish to cows, pigs to deer, elk, mouse, and most birds. Have smoked, salted, canned, and froze all foods over 50 yrs. I can only can & freeze most foods bought now due to my age but my adult kids have taken the reigns on everything in homesteading. I'm so thankful and had been blessed that we've been able to live off the land when I was raising my kids, and now my grandchildren are really benefiting from it. I learned from my grandparents and great grandparents, who all lived to 101 to 104 and still were in the garden and kitchen well up into their late 90's. So I've still got some teaching to do ..
I absolutely love watching your video's it brings back so many wonderful memories of my younger self and all the work it takes in caring for your family ...
I appreciate your thoughts on this.
So appreciate one generation teaching the next generation. With my kids it's more that they don't want to learn. Because they want to be more modern. It's not that they didn't eat food from scratch but they wanted to go out to eat or buy premade products.. they like doing everything the easy way. I hope as they get older and start their own family they will try to cook something old fashioned way.
I got a big case of fresh sweet corn yesterday morning and spent a chunk of the day shucking and de-kernelling the cobs. It is about 4am here in one of the big agricultural engines of California - the San Joaquin Valley - and I am loading the jars and getting that hot pressure canning done by 8am this morning. Have a whole house fan so it's pulling cool night air in the windows. We feel actually cool with highs around 92F/33C this weekend since we have been blasted by 105F-115F / 40.6C-46.1C for most of July thus far. It's dry heat but hot is hot. This is just more oven like than a sauna. It is the only thing I pressure can every other year in summer, because I really abhor this season in this hot-summer place. It's just me mostly, of the people I know. I try to keep the OMG (gasp!) comments to a minimum. Good luck with all of your gardening and canning/preserving this summer! 😎 I admire your energy and fortitude but I am about a generation older than you even tho' I still feel about age 30 in my mind. That brain writing checks the body can't cash IS a THING! hahahaha
You have such a gorgeous speaking voice.
Good job! Butchering is one of those things that I know must be done but the first birds are always the toughest. After that, I kind of get in the zone and get it done. Because there is just me butchering, smaller batches are required, so although there are a few days between each processing day for chilling, I do go through this each time. And although I don't eat a lot of meat, if one thinks about it, something must die for others to survive, plants included. It boils down to how we "value" each life and the cuteness factor associated. Good video!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Honestly, you are such a strong person both physically and emotionally. I get so overwhelmed in the kitchen when it's hot...and here you are doing all of this work at 6:30am and explaining each step as you go. You are an inspiration to me.😊
My God!!! What a pro at cutting up a chicken!!!!!
Many years ago, Hubby mentioned that when I used my chicken stock, which I made much like Chelsea does, with vegs and herbs added, that all he could taste was the vegs/herbs. He wanted to be able to taste the chicken! Or beef, or lamb, or whatever. So, I started making my stock without any vegs or herbs. And everything goes into the pot that will not get eaten--fat, wing tips, everything. The thick fat layer is easy to remove once it is cooled or chilled. So the result is virtually fat free. The flavor is wonderful. When I make soups or stews, the fresh items added flavor the chicken beautifully, but that lovely chicken flavor still comes through. It saves quite a bit of time making the stock, too, which I guess is really "juice." Hubby loves it. Thanks for the videos; I always enjoy them.
I just found your channel and have watched a few videos 😊. First let me say that your style of vlog is quite relaxing and I enjoy how you talk to the camera as if we are there with you. I fully appreciated that you shared your feelings about butchering and your relationship with your father growing up. I occasionally struggle with the morality of eating meat. We tried vegan for about 6 months but couldn’t make it work permanently with our family at this time. Possibly in the future when I have less mouths to feed. Anyway it was interesting to hear your views on the subject as it’s not usually something you hear from most homestead channels.
Welcome and thank you!
If you are growing watermelon, try freezing squares of it. Put it in a blender with lemonade. You'll never drink it plain again. Yum. God bless you all and many prayers 🙏🏻 Nurse Judi in Scottsdale AZ and Eucharistic Minister 🙏🏻
5 years ago I quit eating meat and dairy altogether for health and moral reasons. The 10 years prior I rarely ate meat. Physically I feel much better and I don’t have a heaviness in my heart . My dad raised beef and he named all of his cattle. When he would butcher one he always mentioned which one it was when we would have a meal. Of course I couldn’t eat it then. It has always weighed heavily on me. But I understand not everyone is the same. I like to watch your channel for your gardening and cooking but I usually skip over the meat portion. Thank you for sharing with us ❤
My dad was a meat cutter as well. I miss him. He knew every kind of meat inside and out and he knew how to sharpen a knife. He always kept mine sharp.
My father as well! Taught me everything I know! ❤❤❤
My Presto digital canner did not beep when I first received it. I sent it back and it was returned to me with a nice beep sound. It was a real pain to have to watch the screen and now it is so much easier. You can give them a call. They are very customer friendly.
I love the Presto electric pressure canner!! It does beep when the next action is ready, but it’s not loud, so if you’re not in the room it’s easy to miss.
Yes mine beeps too! But it's not very loud at all. I love this canner. If you can cook in an instant pot you can use this to pressure can. I was scared to death to pressure can with the stove top presto.
I have both the prestige and nesco and the instant pot max..I like the nesco better for quarts and max for pints
Chelsea, I appreciate the real talk and consideration regarding raising and processing meat. Well said with mindfulness. Thank you.
That was an awesome presentation. Thank you not to mention how much work that was.
I was thinking about your feelings on the meat processing and then was thinking how in Old Testament they were told to raise meat. Processing it properly and feeding them selves. I am quite aged and watching my mom from quite young with chickens and other meats . I know for me that I’m still okay and thankful that God has provided us with meat.
Tips for your PRESTO Pressure Canner. I have been using mine for 4 years or so, so I have a little experience. First, there should be a beep noise between each stage that alerts you to do the next step. Your canner may not have it since it's a newer model, but mine sounds like a microwave beeping. Second, I normally fill my jars before I start the canner itself and go ahead and put them into the canner. Use cold water if your jar contents are cold, which you already know. :) Then, after the fill jars notification, you just press the right arrow to continue. As the canner warms the water, it warms the jars and contents evenly. I honestly prefer my electric canner over my three stovetop canners. It makes it super easy to do a few jars quickly and run them through, especially if I have only a few pounds of produce or beans to can at one time. I hope this helps.
This was awesome! I haven't ever watched the cutting of chickens before. You're very graceful at it! Thanks for sharing.
I remember the first time I did meat birds. Took them to the hutterites, so didn’t do it myself. After I picked them up I processed them, I couldn’t eat chicken for a couple of weeks. I got over it, but I think it was mostly the smell at the butcher. It was overwhelming. Same thing if I do them myself.
I’m in AWE @ the sharpness of your knives!
I have a presto stovetop and electric. I live both. Since it is just me, with a little extra to gift, both do well. I just got a steam distiller. I am planning on using it for apple and pear juice after making butters. I will give the leftover plant matter to my neighbor for her chickens.
Anytime you are talking about harvesting your herbs I always want to sing 🎶 Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme 🎶🎵😂
Wow wish I had the knowledge sooner regarding the cutting up of the chicken parts. You make it look so easy.
A sharp knife helps too!
I have the Presto digital canner and a Presto stove top canner. Now that it’s just two of us, I don’t do big batches, so I’m just using the digital. I absolutely love it! It makes it so much easier in all the ways you mentioned. It doesn’t heat up the house, it’s quiet, and you don’t have to babysit the temperature like you do on the stovetop. It’s easy to clean because you are washing a lighter weight insert, similar to the instant pot. I paid around $250 in USD, it may have been on sale. I can’t say enough good things about it.
I SSOOoo appreciate your organization, etc. in the kitchen. Your family is blessed! Years ago(1960s) when I was in my Home Economics class, we were taught to cut ⬆️ chickens. I was taught your way!
Thankful your family will be safe from fires .
Yes! pincushion flower-scabiosa
I have that electric canner and a nesco/carey. I prefer the nesco. My main problem with the electrics is that I am short & it is hard to see if the gauge is in the right position. A regular one is easier in that regard. Other than that, they are very handy in the deep south
I was thinking, so you didn't want to heat the house to roast the backs you could have put them on your grill.😊
So Love your channel. You Are The BEST!!!!!!!
♥️♥️
I agree 💯%!
My Grandma would have called those "Dolly Parton" chickens.
I had to cut up some chicken for a canning project today, and I watched your video last night. I am so glad I did because you showed me how to cut it up. I realized I definitely need a sharper knife! Thank you for making that easier for me, a dozen jars ofchicken stew are done!
We processed 86 chickens last weekend. They were split between 6 families. I felt the same way that you do. I even said to my husband that maybe this will be the last year. We’ll see.
Maybe somebody has mentioned already, but the electric pressure canner does beep at each stage to notify you of the next step. It’s not very loud, but mine beeps when I need to insert jars, put the regulator on, etc. It’s the only way I’ve ever pressure canned and I absolutely love it!
Thanks, Chelsea, for the wonderful video and discussing your feelings on butchering.
I have two of the presto canners and love them
GREAT VIDEO!!! Thanks for the helpful info n breakin down chickens. It's been a struggle for me in the past.
God bless 🙏🙏🙏
My Presto digital does beep when it’s ready for its next step. Not very loud, but my house is small so I can hear it.
I love this canner. Great for smaller batches. It’s versatile too since it can also be used for water bath canning.
Thank you for this video! Sharing your thoughts on butchering animals and your father's life was very touching and thought provoking.
I have a presto canner Ive had for years, still in the box and never touched it. However, I have 2 Nesco electric canners that I absolutely love! They were more affordable for me and I can do two batches at once. I thoroughly enjoy your channel every time I visit. 👍🏻👍🏻
Start checking your Goodwill and thrift stores! I got two of the pressure canners like you are using for $30! I could not believe it I brought them home and they still had the papers and everything was still wrapped and had never been used. So check them out if you're just starting out that's the best place to go. I live in South Texas and it is so hot trying to use my stove top ones but I have to every year. But this year the hurricane took most of my garden so running those just seem to be the best for me cuz they were smaller batches. I have no complaints about them at all they have done amazing with everything I've put in them.
Your chicken are a beautiful size, and I understand how it must feel, dispatching so many birds. I haven't done that but my mother taught me how to part out a chicken years ago, I'm grateful for that knowledge today. I have seen other homesteaders on UA-cam also loving that electric one. I have my stove top canner that I'm happy with.
I was amazed at the price! A Presto electric pressure canner that holds 12 qts is only $255 at Amazon in the states. Not sure what getting it here then shipping to you would cost but it would have to be cheaper. If you ever need help with doing something like this, let me know. I watch all your shows and though I am not a "commenter", I love your show and feel like you are a neighbor. That's the southern girl in me 😁.
Amen! I'm a southern gal born and bred. My mom was 40 and daddy was 57 when I was born. I always watched mama do everything and began helping her and daddy on our 8 acre mini farm. While the boys in school would be excused from classes for haying and harvest I was the only girl who did the same.
So we were a family of 9, me the only girl and when mama saw how I had learned so much from her at 12yo she retired from cooking meals. So it has taken me years to learn how to cook less, lol. But on the days I cook to much I have happy neighbors and friends.
Next month I will begin babysitting for my closest neighbors who have a 6yo and soon to be 6mo, boys. I promised my homemade cookies every afternoon when big brother comes home from school. I've been baking cookies and other desserts for him since he was 4. It's comical in a way because the family is African American and people give quizzical looks hearing him call this ole white lady Maw. Gods sweet Blessings for sure! Blessings to you and yours!
I have the Carey electric canner. Same as the Presto. I love it
I so enjoyed this video-you are just so easy to listen to and learn from. ❤
Your videos are excellent. Thank you so much for sharing. ❤
I have the same presto canner and it beebs between every step. And for pressure canning you have to take the regulator of until it tells you to put it back on. I love this one. I was too scared to use one of the "old fashion " pressure canner but feel very comfortable with the presto.
Forgot to ask if you leave the chicken oysters on the carcass. I use mine for a version of chicken nuggets.
Always enjoy your videos very informative and educational .. I'm 65 canned all my life but always learn something from you
Baby girl. Those chickens are huge.
What breed are they, where did you get them & how old were they?
You might want to look into the Carey/Nesco electric pressure canner as well. I have 2 of them and love them have had no problems. They do beep at the vent switching time. I got my first one a few years before presto came out with theirs and the second one when I saw the price of the Presto. Different companies sell them for different prices. Right now Amazon has one for $115. And another seller has it for $256. So it's best to shop around. My last one i bought of a company when I googled who had them for sale because they were out of stock on Amazon. RoseRed homestead did a comparison of the Presto and Carey. They are both good canners. I've had mine for many years and had no problems I don't can as much as you do but I do can quite a bit. Just a thought for you. I enjoy your content.
Thank you for always being so authentic and open! (Gonna save up my pennies for the presto pressure canner!)
Thank u for sharing your feelings.
I love your cooking and canning videos! Thanks! God bless!
Lovely! My prestige electric pressure canned beeps with every change to notify you. Maybe that's a new thing. I just got mine this year. ❤❤🙏🙏xxoo
I’ve made mine for several years and it beeps.
thank you for sharing your story
Wow you do a great job parting out a chicken. Mine always looks like I used a weed whacker😅
Very helpful video, thanks Chelsea! ❤
Thanks for sharing your skills & the processes. Blessings to everyone 🤗🇨🇦
I have 2 Nesco electric canners that I love. They seem a little easier than the Presto. And less expensive. You can’t waterbath quarts, but I use a steam canner for that, so it’s not an issue 😊
There’s only one lid. The pressure gauge stays on all the time, you just move it from vent to pressure at the appropriate time. It beeps between cycles to let you know it needs attention. (At least I’m told it does😂. I’m nearly deaf and would need to be on top of it.). I just babysit until it’s at the pressure/canning countdown and set a timer on my phone for that time plus the cooldown time.
I have the presto electric canner and absolutely love it. Another good feature is once it is canning you don’t have to watch it like a traditional canner. One more thing is mine does beep when the next step should be done. It’s faint and I have missed it, but it definitely beeps between steps to alert you that something new needs to be done or it’s doing something new on its own.
Your garden is going to be such a blessing to your family as is all the canned chicken! ❤
I am stoked to hear about the butchering process - physical and mental & emotional toll. If the goal is to raise your own food to eat and meat is the choice protein, then butchering and/or paying someone to butcher your animals is part of the goal. I grew up on a farm and my grandma did have chickens for a number of years. I have family who are hunters. I 100% support and advocate for humane raising and butchering of animals, but I don't think I can bring myself to be a part of that process. I took a fish life once and it was a horrible experience on a few levels...and I was in my late 20s with kids so I wasn't a child or anything. I am grateful for people who can do that process for me because I do enjoy eating meat - particularly beef.
A few years back I started raw feeding my dogs and parting out whole chickens, ducks, and especially rabbits was a huge thing for me. My husband didn't even want to be anywhere near where he could hear the bones snapping at the joints. Empowering is a great word you used in reference to having those skills. I was already fairly aware and tried to do my best to purchase from sustainable farms and from places that have humane practices, but doing even the parting out different animals has made me really consider and humble me more about the cost of the life to feed myself and animals. It has made me more cognizant of food waste (again growing up on a farm and poor I thought I was better than most but noticed even more how I could do better). That whole knowing where your food comes from thing is so much more than what a lot of tradwifes and what my kids call crunchy mom things show on social media and the blogs talk about even at the farmers market. With all the commercialization of all food processes, we have really as a people/society, become so detached from something we do on a daily basis to survive. Commercialization hasn't all been bad but I do think that the detachment is detrimental to us and how we treat our bodies, livestock, and environment.
Thank you for sharing your stories and perspectives of butchering your own livestock - and including your dad's story as a butcher shop owner and the psychological toll it takes over time even if your morals and emotions aren't compromised along the way.
I clicked so fast! I love your canning videos! I love, love learning new preservation methods from you, and since I expanded my garden this year, I can’t wait to see what you’ll do with all your veggies!
Hi Chelsea. I've had my presto electric canner for 4 years. I so love it
I use it a lot.
Glad you and your family and property is safe .
Seeing the size of the breasts your processing makes me feel at least a bit better about the gigantic ones we currently buy from the store while looking for homestead property. They are SO MUCH bigger these days than they ever were growing up raising our own. Some seriously look like smallish turkey breasts its crazy! Thanks for sharing as its very helpful and I must say relaxing. Not sure if its your mic, voice, demeaner, or just all of those in perfect harmony but glad i found your channel!
What are you feeding your chickens WOW 🇨🇦🐔
We raised meat rabbits on our last property and your musings about the ethics of raising, harvesting, and butchering are very similar to how we approached this. Now that we've moved to a larger property and can support more animals, we will be adding meat animals back in. We eat meat, so we want them to have their best possible lives and the quickest, most humane death possible in that process. The amount of space and the amount of time we'd need to invest to grow our own vegetarian protein is just not feasible in our location.
The electric canner does give an audible sound when it’s time for the next cycle. The sound isn’t extremely loud and it is not continuous tho so if you’re not in earshot of it you’ll most likely miss it.
I can’t believe we are doing the exact same thing today! What a wonderful video to watch on my breaks
I have the Presto electric canner as well. I was surprised to hear that you aren’t hearing the beep for each notification. Sadly, it only does 1 beep for each change..so I could understand how it could be missed.
Your flower does look like pincushion. I have some purple ones. Your chamomile looks great.
I love your thoughts and feelings on butchering as it helps put into perspective what becoming a homesteader could holds for me and my family emotionally too. You may want to reach out to Presto as I have an electric canner (which I love) and it beeps between rounds usually 2 beeps, but will continue to beep until I put the regulator on and continue to the next step. Thank you for a great video.
I got the smaller canners Carey brand and I love it. It can only do 4 quarts at a time bit it was only $79.00 on Amazon I have sean them as low at $68
Excellent video Chelsea. I think it is good to talk about raising your own meat and the whole process from start to finish. People used to give me flack about myself doing it, going hunting and getting a deer/birds/moose etc.. and I would say do you eat meat? Yes, well where do you get it? Oh a grocer, and how do you think it got there. I did find it hard at first to do it. I remember always having to cover the head. That part really bothers me still to this day. I always always use every part of the animal that we can. We have a dog and friends also so just share. There are just so many things you can do. I would so prefer this than not knowing how long the meat you purchase has been there. How many times have they changed the label for the expiry date? I have seen it. Yes I do purchase some meat at Costco off and on as well. Pressure canning chicken and beef is just such a time saver. I do a lot of chicken. By the way your meat birds looked fantastic. Those breasts where incredible. As for stock even more a plus as so many stocks have the high salt. I always leave the fat on the top it just ads to the flavor. Happy canning Chelsea.
Great video Chelsey. I have th3 electric presto canner and love it. It d9oes beep betŵén stages of processing.
Really enjoy your videos! I totally understand the feeling on butchering day. The same thing happens to me and I went thru the same thoughts on maybe growing more in the garden but came to the same conclusion.
Thank you Chelsea, very informative.
Everything looks wonderful! We are between Las Vegas and Death Valley. Heat has been 118F to 120F.
On my canner exactly like yours it beeps twice before each step and then I hit the button so it continues ... then at the end it beeps 10 times and then does the cool down etc ... that's strange ... I just bought mine as I'm living in an apartment now and the stove isn't like mine was it's cheap and worn out so opted for the electric one and I love it ...