I Can't Believe I'm Showing You This! | HUGE Freezer Organization | Elderberry Syrup

[@SHADOW-xw6lq]

😂 Totally relate to the freezer surprise. I got colored re-useable shopping bags to organize my chest freezer. RED=beef, PINK=pork, YELLOW=dairy, GREEN=produce, ORANGE=fish, and BLACK=miscellaneous. Since the totes are soft sided they collapse as you empty the totes. The handles are very strong.

[@lindas.8036]

I, too, use this method and have for a couple of years. It works better than anything else I have tried. I love color coding. Even if I have to take out a few things to find the right bag, I don't have to look inside every bag. This would work with boxes, too! You could just spray paint different colors onto the lid and part of a box. Boxes stack neatly, too. My freezer is too little for boxes, but I LOVE the colored bag method!

[@lindas.8036]

Forgot to say that I keep a list on the outside of the freezer, showing contents and colors--highlighted with the appropriate color just to make it easy. It's just Hubby and I, but if I had a big family, I would divide things even further, like ground beef, chicken parts, etc. Also, it would be really great to keep a list on the computer or a whiteboard showing how much of what you have, and when it was frozen, so that you can use the old stuff first! So much fun!

[@amaz21]

I also enjoy using canvas bags for freezer organization, but have yet to color code my bags (so that might have to go on my project list)! My bags are mostly chronological to encourage me to use from the oldest foods first. I have a smaller freezer and I feel like the bags waste less space (boxes don't fit perfectly, but bags can nestle in around one another). My bags are also much smaller and easier to move than a full box so I can cycle foods from bottom to top pretty quickly. I like to keep my inventory divided by bag so that I know which one I'm looking for if I do ever need to dig through the freezer.

[@monahardy978]

Smart idea thanks for sharing

[@wendyzimmerman6002]

That’s a wonderful idea to color code

[@bdavis8149]

Thank you for being real , that’s what makes your channel so appealing . Nothing staged , real time and real life!

[@BDThomas]

"I can't believe I'm showing you this" As if over half of us don't have a similar situation lurking in the dark recesses of our freezers. Every household has some unspeakable horror hiding in a freezer or the bottom of the fridge, just as we all have the drawer full of absolute chaos and the closet that seems to be a portal to a landfill somewhere. In a world of fakes, your realness is refreshing. Never second-guess or regret that.

[@LaurieShumaker]

Chelsea, please don't apologize for having a messy freezer. It happens to all of us. I for one have to clean my upright freezer every month and sort thru the food and reorganize it. Sending healing prayers for everyone in your family to get better. Love & hugs , Laurie

[@anne-marie5197]

I think everyone’s freezer holds a few mysteries!🧐

[@madzabinga8382]

What a big project! I bet that feels great to have it all tidy, and also to remind yourself what you have. Gosh, never apologize for anything! Messy freezers are totally normal.

[@suemcknight9051]

I see one adorable big white furry fella who was peeking over the freezer and boxes on your first day of filming… and, when you pulled out those beef bones I was so hoping he would get one …a reward for all the protection he provides 😊. Loved this video…I think we can all relate. Maybe not on the grand scale of the quantity that you have/need for your big family, but, we seem to all fall pray to putting items in & losing any form of organization… What a great feeling to get it done ✔️

[@tinacoppenbarger3412]

Chelsea you kept saying pork chops. And all I could think of was pork chops with onions and garlic baked in the oven with gravy. Yummy. I found your channel back in April or early May while I was recovering from menagttis and species. YOU helped me get thru those four months of recovering. Has my doctors told me. It will take time. You see they told my family they didn't know if I would make it. Thank you so much.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

I'm so glad you did make it!❤️

[@naomihartman6623]

Love u Chelsea u u are a mazing woman I could listen to u all day the wealth of knowledge u have Is unbelievable

[@jennmannhardt]

Cardboard boxes in the freezer is the best hack ever! It makes it so easy to organize but then also get to the stuff you're looking for. I tell everyone who's getting a freezer to use them 😆

[@brikhouse22]

Lol @ Mabel laying on the porch guarding the food

[@kellyharbaugh9391]

Don’t forget to get you a black marker and write on your boxes. What you’re putting in there just so you’ll be able to glance and know what you have

[@shannonbrice8012]

the kneady homesteader made a christmas jam that uses cranberries and cherries and now no one in our house can go back to just cranberry sauce.

[@marietamura4534]

Your being real. Not perfect, which few truly accomplish. I prefer real 🤗. What a great way to start up the New Year on such a positive note.

[@lindaandstevejensen2002]

A dear friend shown me how to defrost a freezer quickly years ago. She laid a stick across the narrow top and laid down a big square window fan across the stick and the outer edge. Turn it on to blow down in until the frost/ ice loosens and can be easily removed with a thin spatula. Take out the chunks of ice, wipe it down and put the stuff back in. Victory! Not sure if it will work outside in the winter. Good luck!

[@dianamccall6941]

We had a 23 cu ft chest freezer for over forty years. It lived through house moves without a problem. BUT, I could never get it organized properly and have it stay organized. At least once a year we took everything out, defrosted it and washed it and ended up throwing out lots of meat that gets funky tasting when it is old. Your vid brings back memories of that and thank you for your complete honesty about the mess that just gets away from you.

[@robingirven4570]

I have a very good friend who spent 46 years as a respiratory therapist. She told me many years ago, when my sons were small, dairy really doesn’t affect mucus membranes. It’s ok to give dairy when they’re having colds & coughs, mucus issues. Just so you know. 😊 I followed her advice and she was correct. I’m always down disgusted when I throw freezer burnt out. 😐

[@amygriffin7216]

I've heard this too from a doctor and a respiratory therapist!

[@SJC49]

Not hard to avoid dairy for a few days - does seem to keep clear the mucosal lining and promote expectoration.

[@karincope3019]

Love your pup in the background on the deck .

[@jo-annjewett198]

Don’t apologize for your freezer. All of us do this!! My family loves perogies and I make them once or twice a year and cabbage rolls. We live in south Texas but lived in Canada 15 years. The Jewish synagogue here makes a big brisket and cabbage roll supper for one of their festivals. Other than that people have no clue here. Also the Jewish cabbage rolls are more sweet than we are used to eating.

[@vbo9872]

Another option if you don't want your freezer list right on your refrigerator, is to tape it on the inside of a kitchen cupboard door. Eye height.

[@TLadret]

Hey there friend! With regards to your yogurt making I have a little suggestion; when pasturizing and cooling, add a vanilla bean. (Cut down the middle to open up the seeds and flavour). You can give the bean a swish off when you’re finished with it and re-use in your next batch as well a few times and then when you feel you’ve used it up, wrap in paper towel until you have a handful of beans then freeze dry them and grind them into a vanilla powder and add it to your home made vanilla sugar. 👍 Love your videos and emails! Hugs from Vancouver Island! Xoxo❤🇨🇦❤

[@LittleMountainRanch]

I love that idea!!

[@jenniferkleine4713]

I love that I'm not the only one. The freezer struggle is real.

[@wild_free_homestead]

I steep cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and grated ginger in my elderberry syrup. Makes it taste so much better.

[@karensanders4898]

I didn't realize you could freeze in glass containers. I learned something new today. Thanks.

[@janicecraig2364]

Thanks for keeping it real. My freezers are a carbon copy of yours!

[@karincope3019]

We are a hunting family and have several freezers . When we replaced I wanted stand up an when pricing out the gentleman asked what we were storing and I replied Meat , he immediately said you need manual defrost as frost free with Desiccate meat, learned something new and it makes sense . I use our FoodSaver and have found meat that is over 5 years and still just as good as when we put it in . Also the Kirkland sealer bags work great , I stock up when they go on sale .

[@kimsmith3451]

Seriously!!! Thank you for showing us how it really was! Too often all we see on social media is every neat, tidy, and perfect. That tends to lead to us feeling like we are failing! Also I've found that child safety strap locks work great on freezers! It cuts down on the frost!

[@luisekinsman5531]

This is so "me". Enjoyed watching. So my mom writes onto green painter's tape and uses that to label containers in freezer or cabinets. Works great for me.

[@andrewmattiewalter]

Of all the times I've reorganized freezers, I've never worn gloves. 😅 Smart lady!!!

[@KeithandPamBilyeu]

Pam here…love how one organization project turned into 4 more projects and dinner?

[@cedarcottagefarm2885]

We defrosted and organized our freezers over the weekend. I have plenty of food to get us through March.

[@scotserve]

That's why people really like you Chelsea, you're so truthful you don't hide anything and you explain everything to thickos like me. I actually understand what you are talking about instead of me sitting here thinking what is she talking about. Kind of looks like our freezer. Please don't fall in to the freezer like I did,I think you're taller than me so good luck. Loads of our stuff gets chuked out is unbelievable, mostly my fault I don't eat meat my whole family call me the most fussy person they have ever met. But great luck with your pantry challenge, I will just sit back and have a good laugh by the way I'm sending my parcel of to next week. Little surprise in it. have you heard of the broons Scotland favourite family, afew years ago someone bought me maw broons cookbook. Never looked at it but I hope you enjoy it.i hope you enjoy it if you can understand it had a look at it today Saturday 6th January ma broons uses some amount of beef. Don't want to spoil it for you. I will tell you more about the broons when you get it.

[@margaretburrows1974]

You should get a dry erase board and list what is in each freezer. It’s a task anyone could do!

[@lindasyarnbarn5176]

I had to tape signs on my freezers when my kids were living at home. “PLEASE MAKE SURE I AM SHUT!!!!!” Saved a lot of food that way. 😜😜

[@cynthiafisher9907]

I recently bought some fridge/freezer locks which h lo tremendously!

[@cortneyjacobsen3882]

I love that you're sharing this with us. We're all human and nothing is ever perfect. Good job on getting all 4 done!!

[@susanharrell984]

Cranberry sauce in yogurt with orange zest and some chopped walnuts is so good.

[@KarinCole-bk2sd]

Thanks for showing us your true state! Looks very familiar! I love using boxes in my chest freezers and lists are a must.

[@BellPrepper]

I organized my three freezers and my fridge freezer last month. Lots of “why did I do that’s” & mystery bags. I find that in the thick of harvest season, canning and preserving, it’s a rush to get everything taken care of so there’s no waste. That’s where my freezers come in until I have more time to preserve those items..especially tomatoes 😅

[@cathydavis9259]

I love your videos and especially appreciate your hard work teaching us all your talents you and your family have been blessed with. Most of us would love to be even 1/2 as organized as you are. Little Mountain Ranch along with Seasonal Homestead, talking with docs and MIgarnder are the only KZbin channels that when the video ends, I always think to myself "Oh Darn it's over already" then rewatch it over again. God Bless you and your family 😇🥰

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Awe, thank you so much for that.❤️

[@albanymtnlife]

ELDERBERRY SUGGESTION- i add 1/2 cup or more if you like to 2 quarts grape juice (the best at hiding ( ELDERBERRY flavor) then serve 1/2 cup of the Grape/Elderberry juice combo to my family everyday throughout cold and flu season for well over 7 yrs now and can attest that my family has had significant less illness running through the house including the stomach bug. And when we do get something it is very short lived 24-48hrs at most... No joke, after 7yrs i have proof under my belt, and my husband is a school bus driver and my children do attend public school if that tells you anything.

[@emilywhite2884]

Chelsea im laughing as i watch you pull stuff out you forgot you had! That is so my life!!! I only have 1 large chest freezer and 1 upright freezer and im always surprised when i clean out. I have never done a pantry challenge but i saw you talking about it so im all in!!! I went to the store to get a few things before we started and will only go for milk now. I plan to get a dairy cow this spring. Super excited about it! I love your videos so much!!!

[@KristinJackson-e8g]

Lard is shelf stable and doesn't go rancid. At least my container labeled Sept 2019 just passed my sniff and taste test even though it is in my not very cold basement. I keep my SAF yeast in a freezer container with a tablespoon, so it ready to go in the warm liquid.

[@lschmidt5455]

I’m in Denmark and I swear by elderberry soup for colds! Served hot with a double baked biscuit called a tvebak 🤩

[@miriammarquez4061]

I add lemon 🍋 juice to my elderberry syrup and also fresh ginger and that makes it much better.

[@jo-annjewett198]

I make elderberry syrup in my instant pot. I add lemons, oranges, ginger, cinnamon sticks. I add honey when it cools and some liquor for preservation and keep in the fridge.

[@gardengrowinmawmaw8642]

Wow! I just organized 4 chest freezers and 2 refrigerator freezers a few days ago. I use the heavy plastic milk crates. They have handles on all sides, and stack beautifully. You won't regret doing this. Love your content.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Milk crates is a great idea!!

[@victoriaklein9441]

Good idea with the milk cartons, I have only a few. I organize my freezers one beef, one pork, then the chickens and turkeys. Baskets have the veggies and fruit that I freeze, and baking and goods like yeast etc. This way I know exactly how much I have. Lard I package in one lb. Packages and keep in cold room, vacuum packed works so good. Wild meet is in beef, fish with pork, have worked for me for about 30 years now.

[@sherylh4780]

I turn boxes of prepared food (store bought) on their side (in a bigger box) so I can see the label and product at a glance. I don't stack them one on top of the other to where I can't see the botton ones. Everyone has to clean their freezers out and I agree boxes work wonderfully. I also cut boxes down and retape them to the size I need to fit into the small spaces that always happen in a freezer.

[@countryinthecity3736]

Four large freezers, I can't relate. I have two fridge freezers, one top freezer, one below freezer and a small upright freezer, and I know how hard it is to keep those three organized and clean. It's funny you made elderberry syrup, I just pulled dehydrated elderberries to make a syrup overnight in my slow cooker, I have other herbs that I'll add to it to help with the taste. BUT, I grew up eating elderberry jam my mom made yearly. It's so good on homemade warm bread 😋

[@charlottepuglisi2893]

Your dog also looked excited about the beef steaks!

[@cathybackus5159]

Lol! You are so funny I'm sure 90% of us have freezers that look just like yours😊I know mine did, I do keep a list of what is in it though and check what I take out of it,so i know WT I need at the store. My family was not as big as yours but I had to keep organizing we raised our own chickens, turkeys we bought are beef cows,pig and sheep from our Amish neighbors. You should be very proud of what you are doing. You're doing an awesome.

[@letssummondinner]

My brother in law writes what is inside his freezer directly on the top (dry erase marker I assume) that way he knows what and how many of each item are in the freezer storage. As he uses it he just changes the number or erases the item entirely.

[@michelleh5727]

I've picked up old milk crates over the years that I've painted to organize by color for my freezers.. while I love the idea of having an upright the chest freezer is way more efficient for storage and energy wise in my opinion ..

[@deborahellis7728]

I use collapsible shopping "boxes" with handles in my freezers. Easy to lift out and move around when needed. Thanks for sharing this...my freezers are actually much worse! I better get busy!

[@mariasmith8433]

Who knew I would like watching someone cleaning their freezer, but I do! Thanks, Chelsea.

[@PattyRachford]

I like putting cranberries and walnuts in my oatmeal. Yummy.

[@jeanhorvath9567]

I gifted my chest freezer to a family member and replaced it with a second upright freezer. I then assigned certain foods to each freezer (including the refrigerator freezers). This makes life so much easier for me. Let's face it, this is an ongoing process!❤

[@Gardeningchristine]

Spring honey is more floral with a very light golden color, fall honey is more plain and sugary with a richer brown golden color.🐝🌸😊

[@lindasyarnbarn5176]

We have wild elderberries growing on our property. I make elderberry jelly with them and we love it!!

[@cynthiafisher9907]

You might be surprised to learn that elderberries are not a high acid berry. The jelly may need acidification to be safe for water bath canning.

[@lindasyarnbarn5176]

@@cynthiafisher9907, I added some store bought lemon juice to it.

[@karincope3019]

Cabinets look great .

[@sharongypsydove6080]

I love making homemade cranberry sauce I like to use the heavy plastic store reusable grocery bags in different colors for my freezer storage. I use green for veggies red for beef white for pork yellow for chicken blue or purple for fruits pink for fish

[@mercy2angl]

Where do you find all of those colors?

[@monahardy978]

You are keeping it real that's the best we can do. Show real life and your freezers weren't bad at all! Thank you!😊

[@JulieKeeperofMyHome]

I'm also taking part in the #threeriverschallenge. I agree with you on chest freezers being a good place to forget about food. They are like the frozen land of the lost. I cleaned ours out fall 23, and it really did make a big difference. I used reusable grocery bags because they have handles that make it easier for me to remove them. I really like your idea of using cardboard boxes with handles. Thank you for always sharing such great content! ❤

[@jacquethirlkel3001]

I have seen on another channel that you can buy hard plastic trays and bins. Bins for the bottom. Trays for the top so you can still access what’s on the bottom. I think it was One Acre Homestead (name?) with Becky and Josh and baby.

[@jacquethirlkel3001]

It’s Acre Homestead.

[@nodaknorskie1486]

Check to make sure any candles are stored in your house. In your heat after a few months, they will melt.

[@suewhalen3919]

I make "jello" with elderberry juice, wild grape juice, collagen and magnesium. An after dinner treat for the other half who doesn't quite subscribe to my "witches" brews. But, he sleeps better and we haven't been sick for a few years!! LOL

[@karenbjorlin8955]

Could you please share your recipe ?

[@julspurser9833]

Favorite video so far!!!💕

[@lenettasmith-murray2145]

Enjoying your videos so much. Just came across you. I enjoy videos like this. I'm divorced & use to do a lot of canning with my ex husband & mother in law. I love doing it & miss it.

[@maryh8230]

Oooh. Sun jam. Can you teach us?

[@annewolfe7958]

Consider adding a manual child safety lock to the chest freezers. Here in the US Walmart sells them in a package of two for less than $10. They are a sturdy strap that attaches to the lid and side of the freezer via a strong stick on. It's a teeny tiny bit of a pain to unclip it each time you open the freezer, but it's worth it to KNOW that the freezer is securely closed. And as your grandson grows, best to have a safety lock!

[@tsilbaugh5314]

This is a real thing for all of us! Thanks for sharing so we all feel like the boat we’re all in is filled with like company!! Haha

[@cynthiafisher3392]

I’m not sure if you care about this or not, but when my daughter was in the hospital with pneumonia, the hospital gave her milk! I was confused and concerned for the same reason that you stated in the video. The hospital told me that it’s perfectly fine for kids to drink milk when they have a cold or any kind of lung issue, that milk will not make them worse. They told me it was an old wives tale. I know my mom taught me that you’re not supposed to give them milk at that point and I just went off of what my mom said, so do you… I was just thinking maybe you would like a different perspective. I am a first time viewer. I found you off of a reaction video and I really like your style.

[@janetberry407]

I have just watched this video, I'm in the UK and make elderberry syrup quite often and I always add some fresh ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, sometimes I also add some nutmeg, also you can pop some fresh lemon or orange In the pan while cooking the berries.

[@beckydigilormo4261]

Fantastic video today. Prayers for your sick kiddo’s🙏

[@metamud8686]

14:00 "Sun jam" .. learn something new every day. Had to look it up. Amazing stuff!

[@sandyperreault9326]

Yep, looks just like my chest freezer that I have been putting off organizing it.

[@teresar.1152]

Oh my freezer looks the same. Good to know I am not only the one who has mysterious things at the bottom.,

[@jackiedamico8236]

It sure is like Christmas. When I clean out our freezers, I do the same thing....put it aside to make immediately. Now pantry challenge will be easy for you to acheive! Such a blessing to have that bounty of food.

[@JAYNEmM1962]

I have two to clean out, just dreading it. Plus two other frig freezers. I lose track after a while what is where. Time for my tarp and gloves. I lay stuff on a clean tarp.😊

[@FayeHolt]

I use those same handled boxes for my freezer...works very well...A very good Chinese friend taught me many years how to roast those pork bellies into the best dinner ...and also to chop them to make steamed veggies and pork rolls...she had a restaurant and was kept busy by Americans wanting those roasted pork bellies...they are so delicious...

[@Gardeningchristine]

Got a small chest freezer last year and have been working to fill it with discounted groceries. I re-organized it and somehow all the chicken and steak ended up at the bottom with all the pork and fish at the top. So now I have to go back and re-re-organize it so I can get to all the things. I’ve had salmon and ribs for a couple months because I didn’t feel like digging to the bottom.

[@deloresleach9251]

I love watching your videos. You are amazing. 🙂🙂

[@muddyacrefarms]

I can’t wait for you to post the video on curing the pork belly. Been wanting to do that. And like others said don’t be embarrassed of your freezers. We all deal with that. Give yourself some grace!! Also I think it would be great to give a quick freezer tour after the pantry challenge is over with to see how much of a hit your freezers took!!

[@belindadunne4312]

Thanks for showing us your freezer organization without holding back! I need to go through our chest freezer very soon. Your personality is so pleasant and I appreciate you sharing so much knowledge with us. 👍🏻😊

[@northerngirlhobbies]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Now have inspiration to tackle the freezers just maybe not on video. It’s always a breath of fresh air to get things organized.

[@mravenwing]

I just cleaned out my freezer today. I'm only one person with the freezer above the fridge. I also saw how bad I was at labeling. I even filled out an inventory sheet as I put things back in.

[@brodiecouch174]

Maybe try freeze drying some of the yogurt. I always buy freeze dried yogurt buttons for my children when they're little as a treat, I'm sure your kids would love it.

[@chelsiemorgan7314]

I just cleaned out my freezer as well 😊 I have been told in the past that I shouldn’t put a freezer outside as it gets too cold and will ruin my freezer, but you have two outside. Any issues with leaving them outdoors?

[@leslieparker8568]

I am in the middle of organizing my freezers too. I love I'm not the only one to find surprises :) But you are right, it feels so good to get it done!

[@MsLisaBrooks]

Wow. I’m so glad you are doing the challenge. Dan was right! I have an empty nest and me and my hubby are doing the challenge. I don’t like to waste food!

[@suzanneford1571]

I add the elderberry to juice, or my morning coffee

[@sharonjennings1282]

Pork chops And Cabbage rolls😋😋😋

[@Niamh07421]

we have one freezer the size you have plus three others of different smaller sizes and an upright which is in the kitchen panty more for our most used frozen things- I gave trying to figure out what is in or chest freezers- so I have started to go through- make a list of the contents ( and putting meats in one- veggies in another etc-) then use magnets to attach the list to the freezer- wait to you see what you find hidden on the bottom of the chest freezers - like a treasure hunt lol

[@lizcrawford6626]

Elderberry syrup may be more palatable with the addition of clove cinnamon and or ginger. I add all 3. Would love to see more natural emedies you use. T❤

[@valerieedwards2328]

I add ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and turmeric to my elderberry syrup. You might find that this will make the syrup taste better.

[@janearmstrong2463]

Lol! I love this. My freezer situation is much smaller. Just the one on top of the fridge and a small chest freezer but haven't been able to keep track of the contents due to an illness that lasted. When I was on top of that game, I kept a whiteboard on the fridge with a clear listing of the contents of both spots. I do use a few milk crates and some smaller tubs in my chest and plastic baskets in the freezer on the fridge.

[@Sylvie_M]

You are so very brave with your homemade Buckley's Mixture! LOL Great job on the freezer.

[@shelliecummins5972]

Thank you for giving me the idea again to organize the big chest freezer..

[@peggymajerus7531]

I don’t feel so bad now, we all have issues with our freezers, you gave me an incentive to tackle mine, like finding hidden treasure😊

[@КлубРыболовный]

Мне так удобно сидеть на Вашей морозилке! И на воздухе и с людьми!

[@riverland5264]

In the elderberry juice, you could put a cinnamon stick and a few cloves, together with some slices of lemon (I always put sugar in at this stage). This will improve the taste a lot! Let simmer for 20 minutes. Siev the juice and then add the honey.