Salsa

thinking of making a big batch of your favorite salsa to can and store on your shelves at home??

Before beginning, remember that you really should use a recipe tested and approved for canning. Certain ingredients lower the acidity of the overall food product.. which can result in unsafe canning.. which can lead to serious illness.

Many of the University co-op websites publish their researched recipes. check out these great recipes from WSU Here

How to Can Chicken

If you have ever had to buy canned chicken, you have probably thought about canning your own. Commercially canned chicken is expensive and hard to find in larger quantities. so... get those pressure canners out and try canning some of your own chicken.

Visit this website for step-by-step instructions

A word about canning jars

Canning jars come in all kinds of convenient sizes to serve your individual needs 4oz Jelly

8oz Half-pint

16oz Pint

32oz Quart

The size of jar you choose will largely depend upon what you are canning and who you are canning for. When I can beef chunks for stews, I use a quart size jar because I have a large family. One quart size jar makes enough stew to feed my family of 6.

When I can chicken, I use pint size jars because we use chicken for a variety of recipes, some calling for small amounts some for larger. By using the smaller jars, I reduce waste.

Remember: Jars can be purchased with either a wide mouth or regular mouth. The one you use pretty much depends on your personal preference. Keep in mind that some foods are more easily placed in and removed from wide mouth jars.

Do not use jars from commercially prepared foods such as mayonnaise and peanut butter because they were made for single-use only. Glass home canning jars offer a deep neck and wide sealing surface to assure a tight seal. Always visually examine canning jars for nicks or cracks. Recycle or discard any damaged jars.

Most jars can be purchased with the lids and rings already in place. When re-using jars, you will need new lids each time to ensure a proper seal. These can be purchased seperately for a very low cost . Rings can be reused.

Be sure you know if you have wide mouth or regular mouth jars before going to purchase replacement lids.

Before getting started

Other than your pressure canner with all it's parts, you will need a few other tools.

Lid Lifter

Canning Funnel

Jar Lifter

Jar Wrench

Kitchen Tongs.

All these tools can be purchased seperately, or, together in one big convenient kit.

A Few more good ideas

Gauges: Check dial gauges for accuracy before use each year and replace if they read high by more than 1-2 pound pressure. Gauges may be checked at most county Cooperative Extension offices. Replacement gauges and other parts for canners are often available at stores offering canning equipment or from canner manufacturers. When ordering parts, it will be helpful to know the model number of your canner.

Gaskets: Handle canner lid gaskets carefully and clean them according to the manufacturer's directions. Nicked or dried gaskets will allow steam leaks during pressurization of canners and should be replaced. Keep gaskets clean between uses. A lid which is difficult to remove after cooling may indicate a gummy, or dry gasket and is reason to replace it.

Step by Step Instructions

These are general instructions. Some foods may have more specific instructions. Please check the canning guide that came with your canner.

1. Put 2-3 inches of hot water in canner. Place filled jars on the rack, using a jar lifter. Fasten canner lid securely.

2. Leave weight off vent port or open petcock. Heat at the highest setting until steam flows from the petcock or vent port.

3. Maintain high heat setting, exhaust steam 10 minutes, and then place weight on vent port or close petcock. The canner will pressurize during the next 3 to 5 minutes.

4. Start timing the process when the pressure reading on the dial gauge indicates that the recommended pressure has been reached, or when the weighted gauge begins to jiggle/ rock.

5. Regulate heat under the canner to maintain a steady pressure at or slightly above the correct gauge pressure. If the pressure reading goes below the recommended pressure, you must bring the pressure back up and start the timing process over again from the beginning.

6. When timed processing is completed, turn off the heat, remove canner from heat (if electric range), and let the canner "depressurize" at room temperature. (dial needle moves back to "0" or no steam sounds when weight is gently nudged). Do not force-cool the canner. Releasing pressure from a partially opened vent or placing the canner under cool water will result in under-processing. It may also cause unsealed jars and loss of liquid from the jars. Quick-cooling can also warp the canner lid of older model canners.

7. After the canner is depressurized, remove the weight from the vent port or open the petcock. Wait 2 minutes, unfasten the lid, and remove it carefully. Lift the lid away from you so that the steam does not burn your face.

8. Remove jars with a lifter, and place on towel or cooling rack, if desired. Do not set on a cold surface or expose to breezy conditions.

Processing Times and Pressures

To ensure the safety of food processed in the pressure canner, use processing times listed for scientifically-tested recipes (dated 1988 or later) and adjust for altitude using the chart below. Keep in mind that failing to follow proper processing times and pressure recommendations may result in spoiled food (mold, bacteria, and other microorganisms) and possibly fatal food poisoning.

STEAM-PRESSURE CANNER ALTITUDE CHART
The steam-pressure method is used for low-acid foods. Normally, the pressure given for low acid foods in canning guides is for weighted-gauge canners at altitudes at or below 1,000 feet above sea level.

For weighted gauge canners- Altitude 0-1000 ft. set to 10. Above 1000 ft, set to 15

For dial gauge canners- Altitude 0-2000, set to 11; Altitude 2000-4000, set to 12; Altitude 4000-6000, set to 13; Altitude 6000-8000, set to 14; Altitude 8000-10000, set to 15.

Pressure Cooker vs. Pressure Canner

How can I be sure I have a pressure canner not just a pressure cooker?

Older model pressure canners (made before 1970) were heavy-walled kettles with clamp-on or turn-on lids fitted with a dial-type gauges. A vent port, in the form of a petcock or counterweight, and a safety fuse were also present.

Modern pressure canners are lightweight, thin-walled kettles and most have turn-on lids. They usually have a perforated metal rack or basket with handles, rubber gasket, a dial or weighted gauge, an automatic vent/cover lock, a vent port (steam vent) to be closed with a counterweight or weighted gauge, and a safety fuse.

Note: When purchasing a used pressure canner, make certain all parts are accounted for and in good condition. It is nearly impossible to find replacement parts for older models


Pressure canners are not the same thing as pressure
cookers, and it is important to understand the difference.

Pressure cookers or pressure saucepans are used to rapidly cook
meats, vegetables and other foods for a family meal. But they may
not maintain adequate pressure, and they heat and cool too quickly to
use them to safely pressure can foods.

Pressure canners have either dial or weighted gauges. Pressure canners are
necessary to safely can foods such as meats and vegetables that are low in acid.
Pressure canners and pressure saucepans come in a wide variety of sizes.

Pressure canners may hold up to 22 Quarts of canned food, and are able to process food at
pressures up to 25 pounds. Some popular brands of pressure canners are Mirro,
Presto, and All American.

Pressure cookers usually hold no more than 4 to 6 Quarts, and they may, or may not, have a way to regulate the pressure. Some pressure cookers come equipped with a weight to cook at 5, 10 or 15 pounds of pressure, while others have no way to regulate pressure settings, or simply have settings of ‘low’, ‘medium’ and ‘high’. Pressure cookers do not come with pressure gauges, and they cannot be safely used to can foods.

What can I preserve using the pressure canner?

What Foods Are Typically Processed/Preserved Using a Pressure Canner and Why?

Low acid foods require a higher temperature when processing than can be reached by placing them in jars immersed by boiling water. To kill harmful bacteria (such as those associated with botulism) use of pressure canning ensures the safety of the preserved produce. Foods such as red meats, sea food, poultry, milk, and all fresh vegetables, with the exception of most tomatoes, fit into the low acid group since they have an acidity, or pH level, of 4.6 or higher. The temperature which must be reached and maintained (for a specified amount of time) to kill the bacteria is 240 F. This temperature can be reached only by creating steam under pressure.

Pressure Canner

Meet the pressure canner. By the end of this month.. it will be your best friend.

Why Choose Pressure Canning to Preserve Food?

Pressure canning is a safe and economical method of preserving low acid foods which has been used for decades, especially by home gardeners and others interested in providing food storage for their families where quality control of the food is in one's own hands. Home food preservation also promotes a sense of personal satisfaction and accomplishment. Further, the guess-work is taken out of being able to provide a safe food supply at home when guidelines for operating a pressure canner are followed exactly, scientifically tested/approved recipes are utilized, and high quality equipment, supplies and produce are used.

Web Shopping

Today's Assignment

Use caution and be educated when shopping for life insurance on the web

Many companies now sell life insurance on the Web, as well as give free quotes and advice.

The key to buying on the Web is to shop by price and by the company's rating. Several agencies, including Standard & Poor's and A.M. Best, rate insurers on their claims-paying ability. Stick with companies with low prices, the term you want, and a top rating.

Here are some sites that sell the policies of multiple companies:
- Insure.com has quotes from over 90 companies and plenty of detail on the policies available.
The site also supplies ratings for the insurers from the major rating agencies, such as A.M. Best.

- Insweb has some pretty good worksheets and advice, lets you save quotes for later retrieval, and lists an 800 number.

- Accuquote has over 1,600 policies in its database. But you need to fill out a lengthy form to get a quote. The site is an independent service.

Your Health can affect your premium

Today's Assignment

Start today to improve your health and decrease your insurance premiums

The cheapest rates, known in the business as select or preferred, go to those who are in good health and who have a family history of good health.

If you take heart medication or are grossly overweight, you may pay 50 percent more than preferred rates.

If you smoke, have a risky occupation, or engage in risky sports like skydiving, you'll pay even more for life insurance.

If you fall into one of these more expensive categories, it pays to shop around. One company may charge much more than another, depending on how it estimates the risk of your condition (that's called underwriting). This is where a knowledgeable agent may come in very handy.

Internet and phone quote services aren't set up to deal with nonstandard policies.
Why, some people might ask, should I tell the insurance company about negative information that will raise my rates? Well, even if you somehow get around the medical tests and other checks done before the policy is issued, it doesn't pay to try to fool the insurer.

Insurers may investigate suspicious claims. If the company finds out you've lied, the claim may be denied, or your heirs could be tied up in court for years.

So there's a good case to be made for getting a policy early in life while you are still in good health. However, it doesn't make much sense to buy one until you have dependents.

How Long do I need life insurance?

Today's Assignment

Determine how long you will need to be covered. Consider the following:

Agents like to talk about policies you can keep throughout your life. What they sometimes won't tell you is that you don't need life insurance coverage throughout your life.

The secret to buying a policy with the right term is figuring out how long you need to be insured. You start by estimating when your children will be out on their own and no longer in need of your financial support.

So if your children are 3 and 5 now, you'd probably want a policy that covers you at least until the youngest is 22, so that's about a 20-year term. But this depends somewhat on your age as well.

Say you also want to cover your spouse for your lost income until what would be your normal retirement age, 65, and you're only 35 now. Then you would want a 30-year policy.

Keep in mind that insurance gets very expensive as you leave your 50s. So you may pay more to cover yourself until 65, even if you lock in a level-premium, 30-year policy when you are 35. Coverage past age 70 or so may be unattainable.

Life insurance is not a substitute for a retirement plan. You want to plan so that you'll have enough to live on when you retire, and you won't have to keep paying insurance premiums.
There are exceptions, however. People who start families late in life, or who have complex estate-planning issues, may well have a need for life insurance beyond the customary retirement age.

One more thing: Steer clear of so-called mortgage insurance policies, which pay off the balance on your mortgage if you die. The problem is that you are paying for a steadily declining amount of coverage, as you pay down your mortgage. It's best to include the mortgage payments in your calculations when determining how much coverage you need.

How Much Life Insurance do I need?

Today's Assignment

Consider the following when determining the amount of coverage you need:

There is no simple answer to how much coverage is enough.

Some financial planners say you need enough insurance to replace five to seven years of your salary. If you have young children or significant debt, you should bump up your coverage so you have enough to replace as much as 10 years of your salary, they say. That would mean a person making $50,000 a year should have anywhere from $250,000 to $500,000 worth of coverage or more.

Remember, the sole purpose of life insurance is to replace your income in case you die, so that your dependents can maintain their current lifestyle.

Factors to consider include whether the surviving partner will have child care expenses if one partner is out of the picture. Do you have other assets on which to draw? Will your children be out of the nest soon? These, and many other factors, influence the decision on how much coverage you need.

Buying a whole-life policy doesn't necessarily mean you are fully insured. Because of the investment component of whole life, the policies are much more expensive than term. Don't simply buy less coverage, as it defeats the purpose of buying insurance in the first place: to cover dependents.

Next, you've got to figure out how long you need the policy

What you need to know about term life insurance

Today's Assignment

Keep in mind the following when purchasing term life insurance

Buy enough term coverage to fill your needs.
Life insurance is no place to skimp, especially with rates at historic lows.

Match the term of the policy to your needs.
You want the policy to last as long as it takes for your dependents to leave the nest - or for your retirement income to kick in.

Buy when you're healthy.
Older people and those not in the best of health pay steeply higher rates for life insurance - so buy as early as you can, but don't buy until you have dependents.

Tell the truth.
There's no sense in shading the facts on your application to get a lower rate. Be assured that if a large claim is made, the insurance company will investigate before paying.

Use the Web to shop.
Buying life insurance has never been easier, thanks to the Internet. You can get tons of quotes - and avoid the pushy salespeople.

Life Insurance - your best interest

Today's Assignment

Is whole life really in your best interest?

Insurance is sold, not bought.
Agents sell the vast majority of life policies written in the U.S. because the life insurance industry has a vested interest in pushing high-commission (and high-profit) whole-life policies.

Whole life is expensive.
Policies with an investment component cost many times more than term policies. As a result, many people who buy whole life often can't afford an adequate face value, leaving themselves underinsured.

Whole-life policies are built on assumptions.
The returns quoted by the agent are simply guesses - not reality. And some companies keep these guesses of future returns on the high side to attract more buyers.

Keep your investing and insurance strictly separate.
There are better places to invest - and without the high commissions of whole-life policies.

What you need to know about life insurance pt1

Today's Assignment

Determine the type of life insurance you wish to have

There are term policies, or pure insurance coverage. And there are the many variants of whole life, which combine an investment product with pure term insurance and build cash value.

Short term health insurance

Today's Assignment

If you cannot afford the more traditional, comprehensive health insurance, consider a short term alternative

Short-term health insurance is meant to protect you against accidents, injuries and illness. These are policies do not cover existing or pre-existing health conditions. Short-term health insurance does not provide for routine care such as an annual physical but instead is meant to help you cope with a health crisis.

Short-term health insurance is typically less expensive than a traditional, comprehensive plan. Of course, the short-term plan is less expensive as it covers only those situations which arise out of unexpected accident, injury or illness. You will find that most plans provide for hospitalization but may or may not cover needed home care services or medications. You need to review any plan to know exactly what you are buying.

Short-term health coverage is most often available for a period of 6 – 12 months. It is not designed to be a long-term solution to your health insurance needs. Some policies are extendable after one period but your premium may be increased.

In some situations, the purchase of a short-term policy may limit your ability to obtain comprehensive insurance at a later time. Don’t let any insurance agent or salesperson pressure you into taking out a short-term policy until you know how these policies may impact your access to other coverage programs in the future.

When shopping for any insurance, it’s best to check out the plan as well as the company selling the plan with your state insurance commissioner’s office. Believe it or not, there are companies selling “fake” policies to unknowing consumers. You may find only when it’s too late that your policy is not valid in your state or that the company has folded due to federal investigation or lawsuit.

What is a Health Savings Account?

Today's Assignment

Determine if your family would benefit from a health savings account

Health insurance pricing is complex, and it varies between carriers, but in general, your premium is higher when you have a low deductible. Individuals or families who are heavy users of medical services may do better by keeping a low deductible, to avoid constant outlay. But if you are reasonably healthy, it is often advantageous to take an insurance policy with a higher deductible. The HSA works hand-in-hand with a high-deductible policy, allowing you to put money, up to your deductible amount, in a special tax-deferred account. You can use funds from that account for all of your deductible expenses, and certain other healthcare expenses that are not covered by your policy at all. For example, you can use your HSA to pay for prescription or over-the-counter medications, even if your health insurance plan does not have a prescription benefit. It can also be used to pay for dental or vision care. Money in your HSA cannot be used to pay your insurance premiums, but it can be used to pay for COBRA coverage if you become unemployed. If there are funds left in your account at the end of the year, you can roll it over to the next year. Older "flexible spending accounts" work like an HSA, but if you do not use the money by the end of the year, you lose it. HSA funds stay with you, and any money in your account that you do not use, continues to earn interest.

To qualify to purchase an HSA, you must have a qualified, high-deductible health insurance policy that meets the IRS guidelines. Your insurance carrier will tell you whether or not any given policy complies. The policy must have at least a $1,000 deductible for individuals, or $2,000 for families. You can contribute up to $2,650 a year to your HSA if you are single, or $5,250 if you are a family, but only up to the amount of the actual deductible. There are no income limits, and you can still have an IRA at the same time as an HSA. In case of a financial emergency, you may withdraw the money out of your HSA for non-medical use, but there will be a 10 percent penalty if you take it out before you are 65.

Spending money from your HSA is easy. Your provider will usually give you a debit card or checkbook tied to the account, which you use to pay for your healthcare services. Alternately, you can pay for services out of pocket, and then pay yourself back out of the HSA. Of course, don't forget to save your receipts showing that the expenses were legitimate.

You can set up your HSA through your insurance carrier if they offer it, but even if they don't, you can still have an HSA through a third party such as a bank or other financial institution. The benefits are substantial. Your monthly premiums may be half what you would otherwise pay for a lower-deductible policy, and you also gain a major tax break. There's no question, healthcare is expensive no matter how you cut it--but the HSA plan helps to make it a little more manageable.

What Health coverage do I need?

Today's Assignment

Determine the best type of health insurance for your family

Fee-for-services health insurance. As its name indicates, fee-for-services health insurance is a basic indemnity policy. In short, with fee-for-services health insurance you make a claim when you need to, and your health insurance provider then deducts this sum from your pre-agreed health insurance sum. The upside of fee-for-services health insurance is that you can visit any healthcare provider you want and then you make a claim – although you should read the health insurance policy carefully as some types of treatment are not covered.
The major downside of fee-for-services health insurance is the cost, which traditionally is very high. Unlike other types of health insurance which have come on the market since the conception of fee-for-services health insurance, premiums can be high and the only way to reduce this high premium charges is to increase your deductibles. However, careful consideration does need to be given to increasing your deductibles as this can lead to you being left with a hefty bill if you need hospital treatment.

Health Maintenance Organization health insurance (HMOs). HMOs are a more recent addition to family health care insurance and are popular because they’re the cheapest – in premiums - type of health care insurance you can purchase for your family. Obviously, whenever you buy cheap insurance you usually find that you have certain restrictions as to exactly what you can do – and HMOs are no different in this respect, so you have to be careful. In particular, HMOs usually designate certain healthcare providers who you are allowed to visit and if, even in the case of an emergency, you visit a healthcare provider who is not approved by the HMO, you’ll be left to pick-up the entire tab yourself.


Other types of health care insurance. In response to the high costs associated with fee-for-services health care insurance and the restrictions of HMOs have come other types of health care insurance. Notable in this are schemes such as Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), which, again, involves a network of particular doctors you are required to visit. However, where PPOs differ from HMOs is that you may be able to claim for some reimbursement if you visit a healthcare provider outside of the network of PPO healthcare providers – depending on the health care policy your family have.

So if you are looking for family health care, please make sure you give special thought to this and make sure that you are not one of the 40 million Americans today walking around with no health care insurance in the eternal hope that nothing unexpected happens