by Lynsey Brewer

Created on: December 02, 2008   Last Updated: August 05, 2011

Every summer when I was a kid, my mom, sisters and I would choose one week to pick all the fruit we could and then dehydrate it or make jams. It was the most fun we had all summer, and the most educational.

Dehydrating food, especially fruits is one of the best way to save money and to ensure that the foods you are eating are healthy and have not been treated with any chemicals. One of the most expensive foods nowadays is fruit. With a house full of young and growing children, fruit is also one of the most heavily consumed foods there are. So, put the two together and my mom would not have a whole lot of money left for other things. Picking your own fruit, for the most part is free and as long as there is enough of it there is no limit to how much you can use.

The most important factor when deciding whether you want to can, dehydrate, or just buy your fruits is the health factor. Foods from the supermarket have added ingredients to help preserve them and, in some people's minds, make them taste better. While these chemicals or fertilizers may not be extremely harmful to an individual, they are definitely not the most healthy for you. Even when you don't realize it, eating more naturally preserved foods may improve the way your body's major organs function and in the long run may even lengthen your life.

Another perk about preserving and storing your own foods is that if left in a tight spot, it is easier for people to feed themselves on a light budget. This can also be useful if you have no way to prepare food for your family. I have no idea how many times we have eaten our dehydrated and canned foods because the power went out and there was not much else in the house. The kids were always full and happy by the time our parents got home and could run to the store.

I remember the big Y2K scare that happened when I was a kid. Some people still believe this may happen. When the nation began to panic and debate science, my mom began drying and canning foods like crazy. She also bought bags of beans, flour and powdered milk in bulk. We saved every gallon jug we used and filled it with water to store outside in the barn. While everyone else was debating and doing nothing, we were calmly gathering supplies like a squirrel before winter. Now, granted Y2K never happened, but I believe that my family would have been just fine and made it through, at least as long as others.

Finally, dont forget about the benifits of drying foods for snacks. They are one of the most healthy snacks that reqiure no preparation. You can mix dried fruits with nuts or granola and have an instant trail mix for the road. My sisters also enjoyed them as an energy booster before and after athletic events.

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