Busy day canning turkey

"She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family". Proverbs 31:15

I got up early this morning to get a 22 lb turkey in the oven. It was the first time I have EVER baked a turkey. This may surprise some as I love to cook, but my husband ALWAYS handles the turkey every Thanksgiving. I have never had to worry about it. So, I was a little nervous today hoping that I could pull off a great tasting turkey. It ended up tasting very good. My oldest was a little concerned about the baking turkey asking me "Momma, is this turkey dead?" I had a good chuckle out of that one!

This was also my first day of canning all by myself. My parents came to visit during the month of January and Mom and I did some canning. However, it has been over two months ago and I hoped that I could remember all the necessary steps. I did call Mom before I started to make sure that I remembered how to do it. I had enough meat to do 13 pints which will in turn feed us for 13 meals. The best part is that I got the turkey on sale at the commissary for $9.50.....the cost breakdown per meal is .73 cents which is so affordable!

I have really loved having canned meat in my pantry the past few months. There are so many benefits.

1)The meat is already cooked and is recipe ready! It is great for those days when you don't have a lot of time and need to cook a meal fast!
2)Pressure cooking the meat makes it super tender. For example, you can buy cheaper cuts of roast and it comes out so yummy and shreds easily.
3)I am able to take better advantage of store sales. I can stock up on meat when it is at the cheapest price.
4)Canned meat doesn't take up any space in my freezer!
5)Canned meat lasts a long time. It is so well preserved that you have a year to use it.
6)Canned meat provides a plentiful source of protein for my extended food pantry. My goal is to have three months worth of food on hand.

I'm sure that there are many more benefits but these are the main reasons why I am starting to can meat. I'm really looking forward to berry season this spring and want to try my hand at homemade jellies. Strawberry season is just around the corner! I can't wait!

All but one of my jars sealed so I consider this a great first effort. I will have to use this unsealed jar this week so that the meat doesn't go to waste. Overall, I am pretty pleased with how the day turned out and am thankful that my first canning experience was a success.