Stocking Up! LONG-TERM (30 year?) Food Storage & Costco Haul in Anchorage, Alaska! Smoked Pork Belly

In this video, we dive into the process of storing bulk food in 5-gallon Mylar bags sealed with oxygen absorbers. I tackle organizing my bulk Azure products and take you along on a trip to the recently opened Costco Business Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Additionally, Aaron demonstrates his culinary skills by curing pork belly for bacon and smoking it for a mouth-watering dinner. Join us on this exciting journey of food storage and culinary adventures.
Azure link for first time ordering: www.azurestandard.com/start
CODE: Jessicamilnes1
You can now support us and get exclusive access to us and the channel through Buy Me a Coffee link here. bmc.link/modernhomeA
Welcome to Modern Homestead Alaska. We are located in South Central Alaska near the town of Wasilla. Living in Alaska and building our dream of “modern Homesteading” through the wilds of winter and the long summer days. We started building our Modern Homestead in 2021. We have since completed the upper levels of our home. Built a 16x16 foot chicken coop that dreams are made of. Our chicken ladies live in luxury as they view the beautiful lake from large windows inside the beautiful coop. We raise our own poultry, hunt for our food. We are avid fisherman And woman. We also built an amazing and beautiful wood shed. We have great big garden planes for the future. Join us as we dream big dreams and live everyday working hard to accomplish them.
Azure link for first time ordering: www.azurestandard.com/start
CODE: Jessicamilnes1
Meater 👇
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Pit barrel
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5 gallon bucket liner
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Christmas cards send to P.O Box 879244 Wasilla AK. 99687
You can reach us via email at [e-mail]
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larger items must be shipped to 4074 S CountryDr. Suite B # 879244 Wasilla AK 99687
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#costcohaul #anchorage #alaska

[@mariezafonte6473]

It's wonderful that your mom and grandmother are coming to live with the family.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you very exciting

[@marilynclayton3430]

Thank you for sharing all of your experience with us. It would seem overwhelming trying to figure it all out otherwise. I also love that unlike other prepping videos you are positive and uplifting rather than teaching from fear, you come from a community mindset. Thank you for being a teacher of lost knowledge. I believe we are all just doing our best to learn what has been lost. God bless your family💚😇

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

You are so welcome! And you totally understood me. I don’t do well when the mind set is doomsday! But I know a stocked panty is a beautiful thing.

[@marilynclayton3430]

@@modernhomesteadalaska it’s so beautiful! Keep being the beautiful human you are. And thank you so much again💚

[@haroldjimerson1761]

Was curious as to what kind of Vacuum Chamber you use?

[@sarahschlosser1203]

Aaron seems to be enjoying being in the videos more, he does such a great job and it is nice to see you two working next to each for the same goal.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

He has slowly shown more! He is truly the greatest guy ever I wish it always showed

[@user-eq5ps1uy2j]

I love the way. aaron is commenting on the way he is doing with the cooking segment. Love you both. Thanks for sharing this with all of us.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thanks for watching!

[@anniehinshaw9433]

It's so awesome watching the two of you together, you fuss with each other like my hubby and I do. I love these shopping hauls. Thank you for another great video!! Take care!!!

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

He is so extra! It’s funny to hear him complain I’m like nope!

[@OrdinaryOwens]

I like the tote that says Odd Beans….It made me chuckle as I think I will call my husband that when he is being weird….”Ya Odd Bean”

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Ahhh lol love it!

[@beckmyhjilbert6441]

So glad your mom and gma getting to move closer to you.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Such a beautiful thing

[@jamesk6260]

Congrats on subscriber growth! It's great to see more people tuning into your channel! 👍

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you so much!

[@riddle8062]

I am so glad to hear that your mom, and grandmother, will be moving to Alaska! I love your storage system. Enjoy Aaron's cooking session so much. He made sure we could see what he was doing. Great job on everything in the video!!! God bless you all!

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you so much! So very kind

[@tanyajenkins919]

Nice to see team work . Thank you both. . So miss my helper hard to believe he's been gone for 15 years it amazing how one still misses these sort of things .

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

I’m so sorry no matter how long it’s been for your loss I simply can’t imagine

[@tracyparks5630]

I just love your videos! Jessica - you are so good with the camera! And we love that Aaron is joining your videos! He does an awesome job! Keep the videos coming! We love watching them!

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you so much!! I truly appreciate you so much

[@debbiemiller7342]

It’s just so nice to see you and Aaron working and doing together. I enjoy it! How exciting that your mom and grandmother are moving up in a month. ❤️ The meat looked absolutely delicious!

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you so much!

[@lauragroux4444]

What good news regarding the ladies moving to your neck of the woods. I hope they have hearty appetites as Aaron can’t be stopped. The bacon brisket looks so good. Tell him Momma G is ready to see him work his magic on some salmon. The new store will be a blessing for your Alaskan friends and neighbors. I am gobsmacked that they offer hanging lamb! No thanks to the goat. Our closest Cosco is a solid 2hour drive away. We are in Sam’s Club territory. Until our next visit, have Aaron whip up a spit and get one of those lambs a spinning. ❤ Momma G

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Love it!!! So happy you are here we got lots of time together today! So nice!

[@judyshoemaker9681]

Nice video, it’s wonderful to see you two working together on your food storage. Dinner looked good too.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you so much glad you are here

[@AndreaRuralMN]

Cambro restaurant storage containers: get the square ones. You lose space in the fridge or shelves with the round ones 👍💗

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Love it!!!

[@richardwood4305]

Heck I am just impressed that you can pull the string to open the bags. I usually just make a big mess. Real nice video. Thanks.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

lol all the years of animal grain!!!

[@WillowsGarden]

Hi Jessica, Aaron and sweet family! Your family will be growing soon with more loved ones, that’s wonderful. I’m sure you are very glad Aaron helped with the food storage and shopping, that’s a task. I’m excited to see how your bacon turns out Aaron, sounds delicious. We always used a dry rub and hung it in the smokehouse to cure. That’s the only way I was ever taught, guess I’m old school 😂 It’s breakfast time that I’m watching this video Jessica, but I could eat Aaron’s tacos for breakfast, they look so good. I was always the grill/smoke person around here, but I love cooking out. I’m late watching your video, but I’ve been helping my brother. Been taking him for testing, they think he has lung cancer, I pray he doesn’t. I hope everyone is doing great and I pray you all have a blessed weekend.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

We are smoking the bacon today! I was truly shocked at how the other turned out. I have issue with fat so I was surprised! Thank you for always watching you are very appreciated

[@debbiechandler172]

So glad they are getting out of where they are plus the wonderful having them close to you all

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Amen to that

[@ravenlaughs9757]

Excellent! Preparing is a great idea. How wonderful and precious to haveyour mother and Grandmother both moving to Alaska❤️

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

I’m so happy! Thank you so much

[@donscott6431]

Sometimes containers, both disposable AND reusable, have “proprietary” size lids. So one-size lid might not fit ALL containers, of the same size. This is especially true with name-brand containers like CAMBRO. They wanna make sure that, if you buy their container you HAVE to buy their lid. Many reasons, for this, all the way down to in-plant production “forecast”

[@donnamullins1271]

I absolutely love your channel!! But I love your family even more! Thank you for sharing so much of your family and day to day with us! God bless you all!

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

God bless thank you so much

[@user-hx4hc4wf9j]

What a blessing to have hubby…. I get to do myself 🙄

[@lisalandry4879]

Great video! The clarity is so clear now!!!❤

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@ignaciaforteza7731]

Thank you for sharing. Love watching you. So much to learn at my age!

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

You are so welcome!

[@patriciathomas1502]

Aaron and his recipes are great!! You guys are excellent duo !!

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you so much

[@kelliepineda9822]

I love the have gal baggie too

[@kathiekesterson9635]

So nice your mom and grandma are moving up by you!! I bet you are really looking forward to that! Love how organized your long term storage is! Impressive!

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you so much

[@charlenegrady8781]

Hello Jessica and Aaron. We also buy in bulk and package up and date just like you. Your right it is very important to rotate. It’s a good feeling to be prepared. Nice haul at Costco. Thank you for sharing. Take care🇺🇸🥰

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

So true! I totally agree! Thank you for always being supportive

[@shake741]

What are you guys storing up for?? Apocolypse??

[@Diane-sx8mf]

Ooo we love the business center. Such good deals. Fun vid, but honestly I enjoy them all.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Oh thank you that’s so kind

[@mariestar1823]

My goodness, that dinner looked amazing!

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

So good! Thank you

[@annaking9213]

Thank you for showing this Costco. Never seen one.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Love it thank you

[@DimensionalHorse]

Fabulous video! Thank u so much! 💜

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@janesecaraway3995]

Great video again guys!!❤😊

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Love it thank you

[@joannanderson5760]

This is great. Thanks for showing

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you so much

[@user-kf9fv1qj9u]

Great video Aaron and Jessica

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you so much

[@Joeatsaco69]

On the large 50# bags we sealed all but the last 1/4 so we were ahead of the game. Then drop the O2 absorbers in and hit with the iron on the last section. This makes the O2 absorbers open to air for a much shorter time.

[@BrendaJBarNett]

Great video ❤ Thanks for sharing😊

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thanks for watching!

[@lorisiverson7598]

Aaron has me sold on upgrading my sealing I love how well ur works

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

It’s sooo nice it seals Mylar and that is so nice

[@user-ek6nc5vt4u]

Organization to the max 🙌 very interesting . Beautiful pork belly 😋 thanks for great video 😘🥰

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you! 🤗

[@Judamac]

Great team work.I enjoyed learning from your video 🇨🇦

[@teriharman566]

Yum...the meal looked delicious. Thank you for taking us along on your shopping trip. You have such a great stock in your basement that's fantastic. I've been buying in bulk. i would say more so in the last few years, and it really does save in the long run.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Totally agree! It’s the way to go

[@debbieorazi2518]

Great news about your Mom and Grandma moving to Alaska!

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

So exciting

[@johnmeyer5496]

It’s great to see proactive people instead of sheep that only are reactive……common sense wins everytime

[@andreamorrison8419]

I think I like that commercial Costco. They definitely have different stuff. Can yall say Yummy 😋 😋Thank you for sharing 😊

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you so much. It’s so different

[@mamabird2434]

I have opened a five gallon bucket of hard red wheat stored in 1998 sealed lid and in a well house that was cool all year long. Best bread products coming from it ever! No oxygen absorbers just bucket and lid in wellhouse. Proved to us it works however we do use oxygen absorbers in any new bucket in case any critter or egg try’s to make a home in there in less than ideal temps

[@bills3306]

Costco is an awesome store…..well done kids❤❤

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you 🤗

[@ritahall8653]

Looks great

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you so much

[@grammysue7355]

Try the earth breeze laundry sheets. They work and take up such a small space with no plastic if you don’t need it for repurposing.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Love it thank you

[@dripdiva]

Great information… thanks

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Glad it was helpful!

[@angelahaglund2656]

Jessica I have been slowly getting my long term storeage built up, thanks to you!! I have to tell you I'm in east central Minnesota and we have had a total of 7 inches YES only inches of snow all winter. However if we get all that they are predicting Sunday thru Tuesday we could get at the max 31 inches. I'm so hoping so, we have been in a severe drought here. Thanks for sharing! Hope you all have a great weekend

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

That is awesome! So happy for you

[@jeanz3622]

Also in Minnesota. Now 4 days later, we got about 13 inches. I have been shoveling for 3 days. I'm am officially ready for spring.

[@angelahaglund2656]

@jeanz3622 we ended up with about 18 inches from Thursday night to Wednesday morning. Yep that's enough for this year I'm ready for spring !

[@jeanz3622]

@@angelahaglund2656 Lucky you; I have enough with 13.😀

[@gloriadavidson8599]

Interesting and enjoyable video 🎉🎉🎉🎉 Love from the UK x

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@KimsKluckers]

How nice to have help 😊. A basement in Alaska!?! That is a rare bonus especially when it comes to prepping.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Totally agree! Thank you

[@allabilitieshomestead6868]

The business center sells to small stores scattered throughout the state. They have normal size products for resale in those communities

[@AlaskaLittleHomestead]

I keep wanting to go to the new Costco in Anchorage but never find the time. Thank you for sharing your visit.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

It’s so nice and not busy totally worth it!

[@misskenni]

Just found your channel today and I'm already in love!!!

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Welcome!!

[@Chapstickmint]

I love how your dog sits there with his nose the bag waiting for something to drop.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Ahhh lol sooo fun these dogs

[@cathykillion6544]

Enjoyed the video 😊

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Glad you enjoyed

[@melisia8876]

Love Costco Business Center (I have used the Lynnwood WA location) - I have found different things in different portions (individual portions all the way to bulk - cases, plus storage and cooking/storage items).

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

So wild had never even heard of them until now

[@DiannaGrable-fm8jd]

So happy I came across your channel and subscribed. You have a great set up there in your home for storage. I don't homestead, but love watching people who do, especially in Alaska. I am retired Air Force and was stationed at Elmondorf AFB (they call it something else now) from 85 to 92. I just love seeing familiar places when I watch these videos. Your husband reminds me so much of Ben from "Home Town". It's a show on HGTV and him and his wife restore old homes in their neighborhood of Laurel Mississippi. I really enjoyed this Vlog.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Oh I love this! Thank you so much

[@sharonmckee2403]

So impressed with Aaron’s cooking! My husband can make a Ob & jrr we lot sandwich!

[@marilyncapehart663]

Hi Aaron & Jessica it’s nice that MoM and Grandma are moving to where you’re at. Enjoying life is a good thing 3-26-2024❤

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Love it very exciting

[@user-bc7br6in2h]

Congratulations on 25000 followers!!! I am sure you will grow more and more every day!!!!

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you! It’s funny to see it grow! I do t quite feel as I am deserving of the follows! But I’m so blessed by each one.

[@user-bc7br6in2h]

@@modernhomesteadalaska it is you who bless us by opening your home to us!!!! Do not doubt that you are deserving of the followers you definitely are!!!!!

[@lanetteprice7508]

Good morning from West Virginia ❤

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Hello friend good to see you back in the comments!

[@beverlyhendricks9456]

This is a very interesting and informative. Thank you for the lessons! Love the way you two work so well together Btw Jessica ; how are you u feeling?

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thanks so much! So kind

[@MyAlaska12]

That pork belly looks amazing!

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

So good!

[@susanmassey9635]

Your dinner looks awesome. Wish I had room to have a pantry half your size. Awesome.❤❤

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you! 🤗

[@robertclubs9908]

Hi from Michigan. Take care.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Hello there!

[@gloriadavidson8599]

Great video 👏👏👏👏👏🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@dennisparisian7040]

That's some good food

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Amen! Thanks for watching

[@amyerion9710]

That meat looks sooooo good.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you so yummy

[@hoosiermama16]

haha I love watching Blue and Roberto wrestling in the background 🥰🥰🥰

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

They are the best part of my day! Love them so much like my heart is giddy most of the time when they are around

[@susanwilliams1881]

Nice shop

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thanks

[@TheonewhomJesusloves895]

Azure goes up to Alaska???Wow!!! They are awesome 👍

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Such a blessing

[@DSmith-ss8jo]

I use a pricing gun to label stuff in my pantry with the purchase date to help with the inventory rotation. Works pretty good on stuff going into the freezer, too. I'm planning on hitting that new Costco Business Center next month when I start doing Costco runs again. I avoid Anchorage during the winter, so mid-Oct. thru mid-April. I'm excited to check out the meat section.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Now you have my head spinning! I need to be more organized like you

[@DSmith-ss8jo]

@@modernhomesteadalaska And to be really weird, I date stuff that doesn't get used all at once (peanut butter, salsa, marinara sauce, etc.) when I open it🙄

[@BPCalaska]

I watched one couple go there and buy some meat, same cut was cheaper at the regular Costco on Dimond!

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Love it so fun

[@richardrybicki749]

I'm a family of 1 I'm stocking also for my tight neighborhood.I love Azure Standard.I have it delivered so I don't have to drive40+miles to pick up with delivery cost to pickup location. Comes out cheaper when only doing pick up.

[@homerfantastic]

Just subbed because of the pork belly brisket. Gonna try that this weekend. I wish we had a business center near us.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Nice thank you! WELCOME

[@tdog4240]

I usually have to do mine alone, so i seal 3/4 way on multiple bags then drop absorbers, seal. You're lucky to have a helper. I do a quick zip to get mostly sealed then slowly with flat iron. Feel like I'm on an assembly line lol.😂

[@belindaroberts3090]

Yummy!

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you

[@lynsmith2698]

Great video guys. I just love you guys and your channel. I hope we get a Costco like that here but I doubt our closet town is big enough. Cheers Jessica🌷🇨🇦

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

It’s with I think there is only 22 of them. Strange though for sure why Anchorage (it’s a small town more or less)

[@lynsmith2698]

@@modernhomesteadalaska In the mean time I can live thru you going to the big Costco. Hahaha

[@lifeonkensingtonroad]

Love these kind of videos. Thanks for taking us along. 💛 Sugar is probably one of the hardest things for me to calculate how much we store. It varies so much. Is it a big baking season? Are we canning and preserving? Or just normal times of year? Do you have a method to how you plan sugar storage?

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

So I only have so much sugar space, I just buy sugar when I’m out. It’s a hard one to gauge

[@lovenotes5299]

I used the 110 cup coffee pot on my job, they called it the party pot

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

lol it is a party!

[@SoldiersofPeace2012]

Instant subscriber! Loved the video and the knowledge that you helped throw out there.. I am looking to move up to the Kenai Peninsula in the next couple of years and this video helped a ton with food storage info... I am curious what brand of chamber vac you all use that works so well for you all... and also do you all have a cookbook yet? That rice and bean salad with the pork belly tacos looks absolutely fantastic!

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Welcome! So happy you are here

[@carolwhisenhunt7504]

We all need Aaron to come smoke us a brisket or just anything. Lol. Great video.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Amen! He is the best

[@karlrich1440]

Hello from Seattle

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Hello from Alaska

[@kelliepineda9822]

those food containers you saw would be perfect for this the square ones or round n have 2 packs n I fillnwith wayermel9n in summer n take to river

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Love it

[@yvettegerry9862]

Jessica I like your glasses ! We only have Sams Club and I love it . Aaron that bacon brisket looks amazing ! Make it into a short video! Thanks to both of you for a great video ! See you soon! 🥩🛒🥩

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Yes I’ll show the smoked bacon

[@tdog4240]

Rubber mallot is your friend for bucket lids.😊

[@annahoover5296]

Hi Jessica

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Hello

[@kelliepineda9822]

that's about same or cheaper then house fridge l9l I'd love one

[@granydd]

I just found a business center in Denver! What a find

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Fun

[@richardrybicki749]

My friends husband told her when shopping for a stove .She could have the stove or a Blackstone grill she is putting her pots on the black stone.

[@MitchellsInAlaska]

Man o man you are serious about food storage

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

So serious!

[@greenlady43]

I was hoping you would address the bags…great that you use them

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Let me know any question you have I try to respond. Hard to get everything into one video.

[@tdog4240]

Totes and buckets are great to use with mylar, but loose mylar can be chewed through by mice. Love your different pantries.

[@aliceduser6347]

So about $8.20 (USD), about $13.50 (NZD) kg of NZ lamb, you know we pay between $16.99 (NZD) on a good day and $25 (NZD) usually for this IN New Zealand! You buy our meat cheaper than we do...... and, it will be export quality while we get the seconds, hard to figure how all that works eh :)

[@tammysmith7345]

I would go for the foil, the bags and trash bags, that would last me forever ❤. Dang I really need to go to a Costco! I know this one was the business one but there is a regular Costco about an hour away plus Sam's Club

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

It’s so big I wouldn’t have been able to have in the old house. Now we make space for it

[@57CHEVYCHICK]

Does your husband have a brother just like him ?😂 😂He's a great shopping buddy ! Enjoyed this video! Just found you recently.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Yes he does! His brothers are not nearly as much fun!

[@richardrybicki749]

I am also Thrive life purchaser Freeze dried veg ,fruit,meats and pantry items good for 25yrs.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Love it that’s great way todo it

[@alinelson2]

Hi sweet one! When did you start wearing glasses? Did I miss that before? You are so very organized with your storage! Most of us only dream about being that organized...lol! Your Mom and your Grandma are both moving to Alaska...how wonderful!! Are they going to live with you or elsewhere? I had seen another video of someone at that business Costco. I would love to go through one sometime just to see it. Your bacon brisket looked so amazing I could almost smell it from here! I always love seeing you and Aaron together!!! Big hugs and many blessings!! P.S, I had to watch this in two parts...I started it last night and finished this morning...lol!

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you for coming back! I only need them for reading and computer work. They just take the stress off my eyes. But I don’t need them most of the time