Posts by Diane Devereaux

Canning Around the World the canning diva

The 240° Myth: Botulism, Heat Resistance, and the Misunderstood Pressure-Only Mandate

Safe Canning Practices

June 30, 2025

The long-standing belief that foods must reach 240°F to ensure safety in home canning oversimplifies the science of thermal lethality. In this article, we unpack the true role of D-values, Z-values, and F-values in destroying Clostridium botulinum spores, showing how time, temperature, and acidity all interact to ensure safe preservation.…

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Prepper Camp 2025 – Canning with The Diva™

Current Events, Events

June 23, 2025

Diane Devereaux, The Canning Diva®, will attend her first Prepper Camp in 2025, sharing her knowledge of food preservation with attendees during this weekend-long educational event. She will teach Shelf-Stable Success by giving you everything you need to learn how to water bath and pressure can food in jars. Canning…

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Popular Meals in a Jar Recipes for Canning

Tips, Tricks and Techniques

June 10, 2025

Meals in a jar recipes are becoming a go-to option for families, homesteaders, and meal preppers who want to make dinnertime easier with wholesome, ready-made meals. These quick dinner solutions aren’t just convenient—they also allow you to store long-term food and stock your emergency food supply with jars filled with…

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Similarities and Differences in Pressure Canners

Tips, Tricks and Techniques

May 14, 2025

There are two primary types of pressure canners used in home food preservation: digital electric pressure canners and traditional stovetop models. While both achieve the high temperatures necessary to safely preserve low-acid foods, they differ in heat regulation, user control, processing consistency, and capacity. Stovetop canners offer manual control over…

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salt for home canning and safe salt substitutions

Safe Salt Substitutions When Home Canning

Safe Canning Practices

May 14, 2025

Salt plays an important role in home canning, but not always for the reasons people think. In pressure canning, salt is added for flavor, not preservation. When pickling, however, salt is essential to balance acidity and inhibit bacterial growth. Understanding when salt is optional, when it’s required, and which substitutes…

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Why Dry Packed Potatoes Are a Game-Changer

Safe Canning Practices

May 8, 2025

Dry-packed potatoes are a low-effort, high‑reward pressure canning method where raw, peeled, and cut potatoes are packed into jars without added water. During processing, the potatoes release their own moisture, forming a minimal starchy broth inside the jar. This results in firmer‑textured potatoes that hold up beautifully in dishes like…

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Storage shelves in pantry with homemade canned preserved fruits and vegetables

Home Canning for Wellness: Nutrition, Sustainability, and Everyday Preparedness

Safe Canning Practices

May 7, 2025

Home canning goes beyond pantry preparedness—it’s a wellness practice that strengthens overall health by knowing where your food comes from, preserves peak nutrition, and supports sustainable living. By filling jars with seasonal produce, bone broths, and complete meals, you take control of your food, avoid hidden preservatives, and create a…

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West Michigan Home & Garden Show 2025

Events, Safe Canning Practices

February 20, 2025

Who’s ready for spring? I know I sure am! Starting Thursday, February 27th, we will kick off the home decorating and gardening season at the 46th Annual West Michigan Home & Garden Show at the Devos Place. The Canning Diva is excited to share she will give three presentations on…

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dry packed potatoes with onions peppers and garlic

The 10 Most Popular Canning Recipes

Tips, Tricks and Techniques

February 3, 2025

Discover the 10 most popular canning recipes loved by home canners worldwide. From hearty soups and savory meals to festive jams and nourishing broths, these tried-and-true recipes have been tested, trusted, and shared thousands of times. Perfect for beginners and seasoned preservers alike, this collection highlights the recipes that deliver…

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Spring Into Gardening: Starting Seeds Indoors

Gardening

February 3, 2025

As winter fades and the days grow longer, gardeners everywhere start dreaming of lush green gardens brimming with fresh vegetables, vibrant herbs, and colorful flowers. One of the best ways to get a head start on the growing season is by starting seeds indoors. Not only does this extend the…

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