New to Site...but enjoying the info

Please don't hunt me! I am tough and stringy. 😉

Haha I will try not to.

That was my mistake,was distracted by the kids that day. Will only be hunting the animals since they are still in abundance.

Thanks denob,

I will try there too. As we have quite a few supermarkets.

Hey Mamabearof5

Big job looking after 5 kids in this world, after tshtf world will be challenging but being prepared will make it alot easier and more liveable. I know from growing up on a farm and preparing for the winter with putting up food and supplies it is making this new change easier. Plus I have always canned and learned as much about the land as my lifestyle allowed. Now I am really making myself get down to the real business of what ifs and preparing as best that I can for it.

A couple of other things...

canning - if this goes on for a long time one of the things you won't beable to get is canning lids, could I suggest you look into sealing with wax. It is reuseable and last along time. I also need to look into this. I have a couple of freinds that still can this way and if you're interested I'll pass on what they teach me.

Non-electric water distillers - the site says you use a pressure cooker with it. Again another thing I am finding out more info about.

Food...Try to dry as much as possible if you are planning to bug out....less weight to haul.

I'm lucky in away because I live in an area that I would of bugged out to, if I stilled lived on the coast. So traveling and finding a place is one thing I don't have to think about. Still lots of good cheap land in the Cariboo. You may make less money up here but the cost of living is less so I ended up having more free money. Living simply is a good way to live. Hope this helps.

If you are careful opening your canning lids, you can successfully reuse them several times. ( wouldn't do it with meat).. You can even reuse store bought pasta and salsa glass jars and the lids the come with often?

Well enuff,
My mother used to can like that,with wax. I'm not sure how hard that really is. I really should just try and see what happens. As for 5 children, yup its a handful, but I try. I want to make sure we have enough food for at least 6 months just in case. Hoping after the first six months we would be able to start to plant and harvest only to can for the up coming winter. Not really thinking about purchasing land as it's not in my foreseeable future. But with BC having vast crown lands,hoping no one with notice us if we trudge in far enough off the beaten path. Slowly stocking up on the nappies, clothes for the ever growing little ones, plus educational things to teach the children too and learning of everyday life with "helping" too.
I would greatly appreciate any knowledge of wax canning or other bits as they may come to you. You can never learn enough.

Thanks Kootenay,
I will try lid reusing with some of my jam making just in case. I'm told the bottled pasta sauces from the store you shouldn't use as the glass is thinner and could break, just from the tramas of canning.

If you are careful opening your canning lids, you can successfully reuse them several times. ( wouldn't do it with meat).. You can even reuse store bought pasta and salsa glass jars and the lids the come with often?

My mom used the Cheez Whiz jars too.

Personally Canning jars are so cheap ($3.50 a dozen/ 500ml.) I buy new.
I also have lots and lots of new lids. If a used lid doesn't seal correctly not only do you take the chance of poisoning your self and others, you loose the food that you worked so hard to gather and prosess. I may reuse mason jars and rings but never lids.

Old Scout,
I too use new lids,as I want to make sure that it's sealed. I also buy new jars when needed as they aren't all that expensive. Sometimes I'm lucky and find them at second hand stores for .10 a piece.

We're swinging a little off topic - but there is the option of the reusable lids from Tattler see here: http://www.reusablecanninglids.com/about.aspx

These lids are made of plastic with rubber rings and both parts can be reused - they advertise them lasting 20 years. I have some - I haven't reused them 20x yet so I can't speak to their longevity 🙂

I wouldn't take a chance on reusing the regular lids either - too much is at stake - it would be last last last resort for me!

Thanks Anitapreciouspearl,

I'm going to see if I can find some as it would be cost effective. Plus no worrying on where to look and find more when you will really need them.

Yes, Thanks Anitapreciouspearl!

I went to their web site and put in an order...the only down side is the cost of shipping. My order came to $130 and then the shipping was $88. So I made sure I had enough of their product so I won't have to order for a while. 12 dozen lids and rings, 100 extra rings and 1 opener. I very excited to find this! Thanks again.

yer welcome 🙂

Update about Trattlers canning lids....I got a call from them today and their web site is over charging Canadian shipping charges for some reason. They reimbursed my CC for $50 so instead of $88 it's $38 for shipping.

Hi mamabearof5 🙂

I'm in the Fraser Valley too, and very much into canning. I was never taught how to do it, so I'm learning everything as I go. I've been busy this week especially, putting up a lot of pickles from my garden, and some applesauce today from an apple glean I just participated in. I love canning, I just don't love heating up my house in the summer :/ A summer kitchen is definitely on my to-do list. I'm hoping to get a pressure canner sometime soon. I've seen the Tattler lids and think those would be great to have stocked up. I get a lot of canning jars for free off of Craigslist, or I buy them at Value Village or other thrift stores. You can never have too many canning jars.