Mixed Berry Jam

This Jam recipe is easy enough for even a beginner! This was a first but it won't be the last time we make our own sweet berry jam.Stock your pantry shelves with homemade goodness for your families to enjoy.

Not only does it taste delicious... the crystal quilted jars from Ball are cute too!

Follow the simple instructions below.

MIXED BERRY JAM

You will need:

4 cups crushed berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and/or raspberries)

4 ½ Tbsp Ball® RealFruit® Classic Pectin

3 cups sugar

6 (8 oz) Jelly Jars with lids and bands

Directions:

1.) PREPARE boiling water canner. Wash jars, lids and bands in hot soapy water. Heat jars and in simmering water until ready for use. Do not boil. Set lids and bands aside.

2.) COMBINE berries in an 8-quart saucepan. Gradually stir in pectin. Bring mixture to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down, over high heat, stirring constantly.

3.) ADD sugar, stirring to dissolve. Return mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim foam, if necessary.

4.) LADLE hot jam into hot jars, one at a time, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars. Apply bands and twist to fingertip tight.

5.) PLACE filled jars in canner ensuring jars are covered by 1 to 2 inches of water. Place lid on canner. Bring water to gentle, steady boil.

6.) PROCESS jars for 10 minutes. Turn off heat, remove lid and let jars stand for 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lids should not flex up and down when center is pressed

Homemade Body Scrub

Yesterday we made a bunch of small 4oz jars of Homemade Body Scrub. Just mixing the ingredients by hand proved how soft it made your skin. We are very pleased with the outcome and will be using this regularly!

This scrub is very simple to make and the list of ingredients is short. Certainly any beginner can make this body scrub. With such a large list of Essential Oils available you can choose a scent that is pleasing to your nose, or even choose a particular Essential Oil for it's effects.This recipe is flexible and works depending on your supplies on hand or your preferences.

Basic Body Scrub

4 cups Epsom salts or sugar –(use organic cane sugar, brown sugar, or regular granulated) 
2 cups carrier oil – (coconut oil, grape seed, olive, sweet almond, sesame, and safflower) 
2 tsp of vitamin E oil 
10-15 drops of essential oil 
Note: some oils have a stronger smell so add a few drops at a time, mixing and smelling before adding more.

Blend all ingredients in a bowl and then scoop into container of choice with a tight lid.


Because this was a group project, we mixed all the ingredients EXCEPT the essential oil into a large mixing bowl. We then divided the mixture between the three of us sisters and our mom and niece. The five of us filled a 4oz jar almost to the top then added 4-6 drops of our choice of essential and mixed it in.  We made a variety of Lavender, Lemon, Lime and I believe there was even one with Frankincense that didn't make the picture.

Leave us a comment if you try this and what you think. Also, share what other essential oils you might have used. Happy Scrubbing! 

Welcome

We are three sisters who want to do the best by and for our families. We are on a mission to improve our lifestyle by living a simpler life. We are not experts and have a lot to learn but we hope to become less dependent on other and more dependent on ourselves. Just a few things you will be able to find here...

Recipes & tips for food, home remedies, cleaning, & organizing your space. Learning to DIY, Homestead, and be more self reliant.

Welcome along on our journey!