A Kitchen Tour and Food Preserving Advice for Beginners | Backyard Homestead

Raising and Preserving your food can be done on even the smaller scales.
Dehydrating, Fermenting, Canning, Freezing, Vacuum Sealing, and even just moving boxed foods to glass are great ways to start your journey.
When we garden, pick, clean and preserve our harvest, we are taking back what our great grandparents once had. A bit of self sufficiency! I remember one of my first ways on being frugal was buying all of the brown bananas in the discount section of the grocery store. I would stay up and bake lots of banana muffins and breads. Then I would freeze them for days to come. There was no greater feeling at the time, than when I would be running late, in yet still able to yell out “pull muffins out of the freezer” 😂. Such a blessing.
Now I wanted to touch a bit on a few animals you can raise in a smaller space. Animals we enjoy having are Rabbits and Chickens. Rabbits are one of the leanest meats, and are also very quick to grow, the turn around is a great one. Another benefit to rabbits is their manure for gardening, and their ability to be fed with forage, and grow out on the ground in proper housing tractors. They are very versatile. You can raise them in colonies with bucks separated, or you can raise them in side by side cages. With all things keep a close eye on the needs of your animals. Chickens keep bugs, and grass down while producing delicious eggs, and a hardy meat. Although we haven’t dove into processing chickens yet, it’s something on our radar in the near future.
May be hard to believe but Ducks are another small but beneficial animal to have on a small amount of land. Muscovy ducks eat an incredible amount of pest insects, and forage, along with giving an almost beefy tasting meat, and medium size eggs, which are amazing for baking.
Whatever and however you decide to take on your self sufficiency goals, always remember to do it in prayer.
Even if you aren’t in a place or on a land to raise animals always remember that buying local meat from small farms and the local butcher is always a better option! Storing flour and sugar in glass or vacuum sealed bags, is always a better option. Drying medicinal herbs, and preserving your garden harvests is essential! Start where you are! My husband and I aren’t showered in money, I’ll let you know that right now lol. This journey began knowing that we were doing this to help us and others stay floating, while not having to skimp on tasty, fresh , chemical free foods. We want the best for our family, and although it takes a bit of work and time, it has worked for us. I cook nearly everyday knowing that my family is eating nourishing meals that we had a hand in growing , preparing, storing and raising. I remember when preserving food became a main priority. My husband and I ended up hosting a family in our home for a year and a half, and learned quickly that, feeding 5-7children wasn’t a game. 2 in which were older boys. I remember multiple times going to the local food bank and being blessed with 10lbs of potatoes, carrots, gallons of milk, flour etc. Raw, fresh ingredients that I HAD TO DO SOMETHING WITH! I got home and after about 4 hours the food was washed, chopped, blanched and frozen. The flour was turned into quick baked muffins, and overall the work fed us for a couple of weeks. Look at God! Learn to do what you can, with what you’re given. God will supply, but we must move our hands! We may not be able to afford eating out as much but everyday we sit at the family table is worth it. Glory to God . As you build these skills, don’t let them stay with only you. Pass them down to your children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors. Stay blessed friend.
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Jesus Loving Homesteader

[@michelewhitney7909]

That pickled squash is beautiful

[@JesusLovingHomesteader]

It’s super yummy too!

[@LifewithBlindaandChuck]

I have issues dehydrating too. About the only thing we do dehydrate is herbs because of humidity problems. Enjoyed the video.

[@JesusLovingHomesteader]

I’m so glad that it’s not just me. I remember trying to dehydrate certain things, and it was going on DAYS! Lol

[@tinakirkpatrick4519]

Where did you get your little indoor garden

[@JesusLovingHomesteader]

I think I might have put the link in the description, it’s a company called LetPot