"Canning tomatoes? Why?"

Canning tomatoes tomorrow!

Today I was asked twice, "Canning tomatoes? Why?"

It's a good question.  Why am I spending an entire day preserving a food that I can buy year round at any grocery store?

My biggest motivating factor is health: BPA concerns from metal cans.  Last winter I looked for jarred tomatoes for the chili I was going to make and found one brand for $15 per jar.  What?!?!  So this chili season I'll be ready!

Another reason I want to do this is for knowledge.  While I'm not working in the summer I like to find ways to keep learning things, and I love (LOVE) playing in the kitchen!  Plus, the bonus is that my mom is teaching me the How-Tos of Canning Tomatoes so that's pretty cool to spend that time with her too:)

And the last reason HAS to be for creativity.  Why else is my mom spending hours knitting me fuzzy socks for the winter when she could buy them at London Drugs for $3?  Why are friends making homemade vanilla, salsa, soups, and candy when those items are readily available at any grocery store?  Why would you sew your own bed sheet or paint your own picture or build your own furniture when Big Box Store has it ready for you to buy?  It's because of pride and our NEED to be creative!

I hope that everyone reading this blog entry has the experience of seeing something that they want and instead of buying it, says, "I can do that myself!"