DIY Ketchup Saves

No harm in saving pennies these days by taking up DIY. I am doing so and besides putting my laundry outside, am making my own yogurt and today, my own ketchup. I am a ketchup lover and this recipe is the best tasting ketchup I have ever tasted. It is so easy with no cooking, let the kids stir it up and enjoy it on the next hot dog or hamburger from the barbecue.  To 12 ounces of tomato paste, add one third cup of white wine or apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon of sugar, one half teaspoon of salt, one quarter teaspoon each of black pepper, ground mustard, and celery salt, next, add one half teaspoon of oregano, cayenne, onion powder and a pinch of allspice. Stir well. That's it. And it keeps in the fridge for a month. If it lasts that long. I have a blob of ketchup on the side of my plate and dip into it without guilt at most meals.This recipe tastes fresh and more like tomatoes than I have had ever before from the store bought kind. The more we can save in any way we can, by finding ways to select, prepare and cook our foods ourselves, saves not only our own pocket books,  but also the earth by using primary ingredients without additives and the need for industrial production. It also teaches kids especially, the value of creating our own foods and adding personal flavours in what we prepare. Added to that learning, it allows kids to appreciate what goes into food production of items we eat every day. Using dough to make breads, making our own cakes and pies and things like our own ketchups as today, gives everyone a sense of being in control of the food supply. Better still, is growing small herbs on window ledges and in flower beds alongside the pretties, having green onions always sitting in water beside the sink for clipping,  is using the earth's gifts the right way. Wild foraging is becoming another "sport" that families are taking to. There is far more to living than competing in ball games and taking dancing lessons and dreaming of becoming the "best". We are already "the best" just living in this complex but still beautiful world.