Freezing is quick and easy but requires purchasing an expensive freezer if you don't already own one. It also requires electricity (or other form of energy) to operate. Unless you are "off-the-grid," a power outage can result in food loss.
Canning food requires more work than freezing but is generally unaffected by power outages. The initial expense of getting started can be substantial if you have to purchase the canner itself and related items like jars, lids, etc., and new lids must be purchased each year. Also, a source of energy is required, (electric, wood, gas, propane, etc.) while preserving, and canned food requires a lot of storage space.
Preserving food by solar drying requires no energy except the heat of the sun. Dried food also requires no energy to maintain it while stored. Related expenses are practically nothing, and little storage space is required. Drying food is easy to do and doesn't require any special skills or equipment.
Dried food is excellent for hiking and camping because of its light weight and compact size. Several days rations can easily be placed in a backpack or your pockets. Best of all, dried food is delicious and nutritious.About Freeze dried products….
Freeze drying dates back to the ancient Peruvian Incas of the Andes. They found that exposing their food to the heat of the sun, as well as freezing night temperatures, high altitudes, and low air pressure, their food was able to maintain it's natural form while the water had evaporated, leaving it dry and easy to store for long periods of time. They soon realized it would regain its original texture after water was added. It wasn't until World War II that the freeze drying process was commercialized.
Freeze Dried products are produced in a process where moisture is removed from the frozen product using a very low temperature and a vacuum. Only about 3% moisture remains in the product at the time of packaging. The end product weight is reduced by over 90%, while the volume stays the same. This remarkable process concentrates the fresh product taste, natural color, and texture of fresh product in its freeze dried state. When re-hydrated with water the product will maintain the texture and shape of fresh product, with no shrinking or shriveling. Freeze Dried and Dehydrated products are less expensive than wet pack food because you are not paying for all the water. Freeze drying provides natural and additive free fruits and vegetables to be stored effectively for long periods of time. They also contain no additives or preservatives.
Let's hear the benefits...
What can fruits and vegetables do for you? It is said that fruits and vegetables were acclaimed as cancer-fighting foods. The National Cancer Institute, in part, supports the 5-a Day message seen in produce aisles, magazines and even within schools. "The latest Research," according to Harvard's School of Public Health, "suggests that the biggest payoff from eating fruits and vegetables is for the heart." There is said to be much evidence, while researching those who consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables whose risks of heart disease and stroke are extremely low. Fruits and vegetables are also known to help prevent strokes, diabetes, birth defects, hypertension, and obesity.
Read on to see how our most popular freeze dried items can improve your health.
Freeze Dried Strawberries
Strawberries contain potent antioxidants that have repeatedly been shown to help protect cell structures in the body and to prevent oxygen damage in all of the body's organ systems. Strawberries, as with other berries are famous in the phytonutrient world as a rich source of phenols. With their unique phenol content this makes them a heart protective fruit, an anti-cancer fruit, and an anti inflammatory fruit, all in this one little berry! According to www.whfoods.com , "In one study, strawberries topped a list of eight foods linked to lower rates of cancer deaths…" "Those eating the most strawberries were three times less likely to develop cancer compared to those eating a few or no strawberries." Researchers have found that strawberries help protect the brain from oxidative stress and may reduce the effects of age related declines in brain function. Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamins C, K, and manganese. They are also a good source of dietary fiber and iodine as well as potassium, folate, riboflavin, vitamin B5, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B-6, magnesium, and copper. The great thing about freeze dried strawberries is that they don't have to be refrigerated; they lose none of their nutrients, and can be stored for a long period of time unopened.
Freeze Dried Blueberries
There is growing evidence that blueberries could be a powerful disease fighter. Blueberries rank #1 in antioxidant activity when compared to 40 other fresh fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants help neutralize harmful by-products of metabolism called "free radicals" that can lead to cancer and other age related diseases. Blueberries may reduce the build up of so called "bad" cholesterol that contributes to cardiovascular disease and stroke. Researchers at Rutgers University in New Jersey have identified a compound in blueberries that promotes urinary tract health and reduces the risk of infection. It appears to work by preventing bacteria from adhering to the cells that line the walls of the urinary tract. Studies have also shown that blueberries may help eye sight.
Freeze Dried Apples
According to http://www.bestapples.com/ "The disease-fighting profile of apples provides a multitude of health benefits, including a potential decreased risk of cancer and heart disease. Several recent studies suggest apples may provide a "whole-body" health benefit." Apples are known for being high in dietary fiber, which aids digestion and promotes weight loss. Apples contain almost no fat or cholesterol. There are many nutrients found in apples that are said to help lower blood cholesterol and improve bowel function and may be associated with a reduced risk of ischemic heart disease, stroke, prostate cancer, type II diabetes and asthma. It is said that two apples a day or 12 ounces of 100% apple juice reduces the damaging effects of the "bad" LDL cholesterol.
Freeze Dried Raspberries
Packed with unique phytonutrients, primarily antioxidants and vitamin B, raspberries are very powerful inside that delicate frame. They are said to contain cancer protective properties. They are also said to help prevent overgrowth of bacteria and fungi within the body. According to www.whfoods.com this little fruit is an excellent source of "manganese and vitamin C - two critical antioxidant nutrients that help protect the body's tissue from oxygen-related damage. They also qualified as a good source of riboflavin, folate, niacin, magnesium, potassium and copper. Coupled with this strong B vitamin and mineral content, raspberries qualified as "excellent" in terms of dietary fiber. This combination of nutrients makes raspberries a great fruit choice for having minimal impact on blood sugars." Raspberries are a great summer snack. They are great when added to your favorite fruit smoothie, on top of vanilla yogurt or cereal, and even when added to a crisp summer salad.
Dehydrated Celery
Celery is high in vitamin C and several other active compounds that promote health, including phalides, which may help lower cholesterol, and coumarins, that may be useful in cancer prevention. According to http://www.whfoods.com/, "we understand how celery, which is rich in both potassium and sodium, the minerals most important for regulating fluid balance, stimulates urine production, thus helping to rid the body of excess fluid." Celery makes for a great light snack and is also great for adding to a nice crisp salad or in your homemade soups and stews.
Dehydrated Onions
Dread chopping those onions? With all those tears come numerous health benefits when it comes to onions. Onions, with that pungent, tear dripping smell are said to have blood sugar lowering effects, cardiovascular benefits, colon cancer prevention, promote bone health, and aids in anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial activity. These beneficial effects are likely due to onions' sulfur compounds, its chromium and its vitamin B6, which helps prevent heart disease by lowering high homocysteine levels, another significant risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Chefs love the onion! Onions add so much flavor to almost any dish, whether it is your morning omelet or added to a delicious gourmet meal. There are no tears when you buy them already chopped and dehydrated!
Freeze Dried Carrots
Carrots are everybody's favorite dipping snack! They are an excellent source of antioxidants. They are also the richest vegetable source of the pro vitamin A carotenes. Carrots are said to protect against cardiovascular disease as well as cancer. Of course, we've always been told that carrots also promote healthy vision. www.whfoods.com states: "High carotenoid intake has been linked with a 20% decrease in postmenopausal breast cancer and an up to 50% decrease in the incidence of cancers of the bladder, cervix, prostate, colon, larynx, and esophagus. Extensive human studies suggest that a diet including as little as one carrot per day could conceivably cut the rate of lung cancer in half!" Foods such as carrots may also be beneficial to blood sugar regulation. Carrots are great for that homemade carrot cake or shredded on top of your favorite salad.
Freeze Dried Peas
Green peas are one of the important foods to include in your diet if ever you feel fatigued and sluggish. Peas are a high fiber food, also rich in folic acid, vitamins B6, B1, and B3, which are necessary for carbohydrate and protein metabolism. They are a wonderful source of iron which promotes normal blood cell formation and function. Peas also have a good source of vitamin C to help boost your energy producing cells. Vitamin C is also a great aid in preventing cancers. Peas are great cooked, raw, and added to any salad!
Freeze Dried Corn
What kind of summer barbeque would you have without the famous corn-on-the-cob? Corn is rich in fiber and is said to help stabilize blood sugar levels. If you have insulin resistance, hypoglycemia or diabetes, corn may help you balance blood sugar levels while providing steady, slow-burning energy. Corn also contains a considerable amount of folate, which is said to help against birth defects. It also has a great amount of Thiamin and pantothenic acid. Thiamin helps maintain memory and energy production. The pantothenic acid helps metabolize the carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. Pantothenic acid is an especially valuable B-vitamin when you're under stress since it supports the function of the adrenal glands. Don't forget to make corn a staple in your healthy diet.
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