Urban Homestead Pantry Tour | Food Storage on a Budget

[@susierawings1367]

Absolutley agree that messy or not, real life is best. I consider it a gift to others bc we give them permission to be less than perfect by being authentic ourselves.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Thank you so much. ❤

[@carmiejones8289]

Seeing real living is always preferred. Thank you for being courageous and letting us see and glean from your real living! And following your downsizing, remodeling, and moving would be fantastic!

[@TheCrossLegacy]

That is encouraging for us that people are responding that they want to see this next adventure for us

[@marilynjohnson1432]

Thank you for your vulnerability and transparency is precious.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

I true to always be as real and honest as I can, I appreciate your kind words.

[@melisagraham587]

YES!!! I WANT TO SEE ALL THE STORAGE!!!! I just finished a kitchen remodel and I need inspiration for storing my home canned items along with all the bulk items. Thanks for all the information and Inspiration. You did a great job, don't be nervous, it's just us here, all like minded struggling to do the.best we can.🙂

[@TheCrossLegacy]

You can tell when I am nervous because I giggle, we had to cut so many out but there are some that we kept in the video

[@carolynmoody9460]

Real life is what makes you a valuable channel ❤❤

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Thank you so much for your find words. I appreciate it.

[@pnwusa]

you have a grrrreeeeaaaat pantry amy! i am old enough to tell ye it's no biggie. thanks for sharing and the best to you with shopping your pantry, finishing the remodeling projects, downsizing and packing for your move. tis for a wee short season. continued travel mercies and blessings.🕊

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Thank you I love that this video is reaching people positively as I am planning out tomorrows youtube videos that we are filming and Mike is painting in the hallway.

[@pnwusa]

@@TheCrossLegacyhey amy, you are definitely helping a lot of people and their families. your videos are a much watch for elementary, high school and college students. thank you.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

​@@pnwusa❤❤❤❤❤

[@abzcreative1815]

Thanks for showing and being real. We probably learn as much or more from these videos. Thanks!

[@TheCrossLegacy]

You are welcome, I appreciate your kind words and am glad that my honesty is valued. My goal is always to teach people as much as I can so I'm glad that you are learning something new.

[@jnash5137]

Don't worry about showing your stuff. We all have those rooms where the door is closed. Congratulations on the upcoming relocation. You deserve an updated house and you now know more about your needs, etc. You're a natural teacher and I enjoy your videos. I also received my new book that you published "Zero Waste Produce Guide" which I've already been using, so convenient. Thanks, Jeannette

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm glad that you enjoyed the video and are already using what you're learning from my book. I appreciate your support!

[@carihaase2478]

I enjoy all your videos! I would love to see more videos as your moving situation progresses and meals you create from your pantry storage. Keep up the great work!

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Thank you! It seems like a lot of people are interested in that so I will keep updating you all on the process.

[@justpatty7328]

You are working great with the space you have. Those beautiful jars you worked so hard to do. Great job! And a stunning kitchen! The baked beans you can finish them off in the instant pot in a much faster time.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Thanks for the tip. I used some up this weekend with some ribs so we have one more meal to use them.

[@cherylpresleigh6403]

This is my favorite video yet! Don’t get me wrong, I have very much enjoyed the other videos too but I find more and more I most enjoy real life!! I’m especially intrigued with this video because we have been on a similar journey. We moved into our home in 2019. I had never had a galley style kitchen before and to me it seemed large (because it was long). Before moving in, the kitchen and a hall bathroom were gutted to the studs. Simple changes in the kitchen were made to add cabinetry but otherwise the layout was all the same. It didn’t take long to realize that the space even with additional cabinets, wasn’t what I expected. We utilized shelving in the laundry room which sits at the end of the kitchen as a pantry which helped. Then in 2020 when life got chaotic and the realization hit of what could happen in a very short amount of time we decided on a different approach to how we lived. We started our first garden (something we said we’d try in retirement) which was small but productive. The following year we doubled the growing space and have added a little more each year following. What that did was create a need for me to take up canning again. With food preservation came the need for more storage. Initially our plans were to turn a bedroom next to the master bedroom into a walk in closet bathroom combo. However, it still hadn’t happened and frankly was still full of boxes etc that hadn’t been gone through yet. Our move was a big down size and we had kept a lot of our stuff initially anticipating buying land and building. When the decision to let that dream go and instead buy a fixer upper instead we still had 35+ years of stuff that needed to be gone thru and dealt with using fresh eyes and a new plan. That being said, I came to recognize that having to go to the opposite end of the house to a pantry wasn’t ideal and would be a mistake. So, my attentions went to another room also off the kitchen which has served as an at home office and craft room. In order for that room to be converted it meant moving that room to the other end of the house. We had to first empty that room so that flooring could go in. We had pulled the carpet out day one because of pet allergies and new flooring went in every room with carpet except that bedroom because it was supposed to become the bathroom/closet and we were not ready to invest in flooring until we were actually creating the bathroom space. To say that emptying that room and shoving its contents into any available space was has been overwhelming would be an understatement! The majority of the office/craftroom has been moved out and dropped into the new space with the exception of the desk. The desk will be the last to go because more eliminating has to happen with each transfer of stuff because it is a much smaller room lol. Today we have racks mostly around the perimeter and my desk in the space. It will continue to be a work in progress for a little while longer. I’m hoping we will be finished by May before the busy garden season gets going. So, I can completely relate to what it takes, as I’m sure many others can as well, to take on such a project as yours while shifting stuff around over and over again as you make your way thru the checklist. I applaud you for sharing the real deal! I do have a question lol, I had to reevaluate the kitchen counter top space in order to better utilize the space for production and not just to look nice. In making pantry plans I purchased some large glass contains that are similar to yours but instead of the metal lid mine are glass. I purchased the containers then put them away for when the project was finished and the time came to put them to use. I was more than frustrated with myself to realize that these containers that I am housing two types of flour and two types of sugar in are not air tight 🤦‍♀️. Do you have any recommendations for an air tight container that has a large opening for easily accessing the flour etc? I’m satisfied with the storage in the pantry but want something better for my countertop canisters that will both look nice and do a better job of keeping things fresh. Sorry this got sooo long, I wanted you to understand my support comes from a real life place of my own. For now, I hear another box calling me to go thru it! I hope you have a great week.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

It sounds like you've been on a similar journey as mine. It’s always good to have a plan but as we move through life things change and our plans need to change with them. Finding jars that are completely airtight and also will fit a measuring cup you will want to make sure they have a 4 inch opening. I think we have some on our Amazon storefront it should be linked in the description of the video. They sale out all of the time so they are not always available. If I am going to he using the item regularly then some of my jars do have plastic lids but for like brown sugar I make sure it is metal and completely airtight. Gallon size 4 inch opening www.thecrosslegacy.com/starthere

[@tracydonald2443]

Thanks for the wonderful tips and ideas I really enjoy watching.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

I'm so happy to hear it! Thanks for watching.

[@valeriejohnson7497]

You are so real and refreshing to watch on KZbin. I loved watching you in your "messy room". I forget that influencers like yourself are real as well. You all seem to have your life together and not one thing out of place. Thank you for being vulnerable, we can all relate to you. Bring on the messy real life videos 😊. Like my pastor says, "We are one big hot mess".

[@TheCrossLegacy]

@@valeriejohnson7497 thank you for the encouragement

[@GardeningWarrior]

This was refreshing to watch and I would love to see more of your upcoming journey.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Thank you so much for your kind words, I'm glad you enjoyed it and I will look for ways to keep sharing more.

[@kimchristianson4743]

By the way, you are an articulate educator. I live alone in a small town in Canada and I am also living on a decent but small pension. With the cost of living rising in Canada and everything becoming more expensive I have been trying to find ways to increase my food security. You can expect to see me watching more of your videos in the future. Thank you for the real tour of your pantry.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

I appreciate you saying that. I am trying to make it clear and easy for anyone to use and adapt to their own needs. I have a speech/neurological issue so sometimes I feel like I am repeating myself trying to get a point across right but also want people to understand what I am saying. I can also drop words, parts of words or say the completely wrong word and not even realize I did it which we try to correct with putting fonts up on the screen. Like I said bread instead of spread. Getting past my speech difficulties and realizing I know things of value has been the hardest part of this journey and it truly is because of loyal followers encouragement that I keep making videos, even on the harder days.

[@bjhoover6879]

I appreciate seeing things as they really are. It helps me understand my situation and what I am able to do. Thank you for sharing your pantry and for being brave. 👍🏻

[@TheCrossLegacy]

I'm glad that you appreciate seeing the true, real life. Thanks for watching and leaving a kind comment.

[@classyfive1020]

I love the transparency because it shows we are not perfect and we are human! I received my book and have already begun to read it. Thank you for inviting us into your pantry and going against your comfort zone😊

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Yes, we are all human and doing the best that we can with the space that we have. Thank you so much for purchasing my book, I'm glad that you have started reading it and I hope that you are able to learn a lot and that you find it helpful.

[@DisneyRunner]

Thank you for keeping it real...I appreciate your honesty, it actually validates when you tell me things you have learned, because I don't think "oh she is a fake" you are a positive influence and I look forward to your videos.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Thank you for your kind words

[@Fritz0616]

16-mins in and I can hear the regret and nervousness in your voice..just know I think it’s awesome that you’re being a true non fake person doing these videos. I can just imagine the stress you’re putting yourself through for a week before making this video which is why I could never do YT videos- I grew up where my mom was a clean fanatic, everything was picture perfect. I’m not like her in any sense of the word. I’m frugal and can stretch a penny like no other if I had to which is the only thing I could teach. Lol..

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Thank you, yes I was pretty stressed to take you all into my pantry but all of these kind words have been so encouraging.

[@marlakostis3839]

This video has been both fascinating and inspiring. I’m looking forward to seeing more :)

[@TheCrossLegacy]

I'm glad that you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate it.

[@shibaniparkhill2934]

Love the video and the Real Life :). Best Wishes on the move!

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Thankyou, the encouragement from this video tonight has really been a push to show you guys more of the planning type of things that are happening and real life outside of the kitchen.

[@dreileigh]

I’m sure most of us would LOVE that mess, wink wink . Thank you for the video it was great to see it play out in everyday life… ❤

[@TheCrossLegacy]

I appreciate your kind words, thank you!

[@cindywalt]

Your pantry is not that bad it looks pretty good to me

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Thank you so much!

[@RevT.]

Loved this I think it’s great to go on your new adventures with you. And seeing additional storage ideas❤️

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Thank you, I'm glad that you enjoyed it! I'll keep all of those ideas in mind.

[@KatyInNH]

I loved this so much!!!! I have a bedroom pantry that needs to be redone and some items that need to be used soon. ❤

[@TheCrossLegacy]

I'm so glad that you enjoyed it and that you are in a similar situation. Good luck with your pantry! Based on how many people enjoyed this, I think I will be making more pantry videos as well.

[@joanflora7990]

Thanks for teaching us!

[@TheCrossLegacy]

You are so welcome, thanks for watching and commenting!

[@barbaraadams6014]

I’m anxiously awaiting your book to arrive at my door! I have lots of questions, but I’ll wait to see if it’s included in the book. If they aren’t answered there, you might be starting a part 2! 😂

[@TheCrossLegacy]

We jump every time an order dings and get excited about where it is going. It will be there soon

[@cherylnewman9098]

Amy, your pantry video was great. Thanks for being vulnerable for us. Yes, we want to go on this house journey with you. I am a realtor and it looks like you have put a lot of thought into preparing your home to sell. Will you be moving east? If you don’t feel comfortable sharing where you want to move I understand. Your hard work will be worth it.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

I used to be a mortgage broker before the 2008 crash and that is actually how I ended up first staging houses to sell and then end up owning a high end cleaning company for 15 years. As I would clean houses every day I was always checking off boxes in my head of things that would help our house but not to much to outgrow our neighborhood. We will be staying in WA but 509.

[@arlenes.pedersen6989]

I just finished a three-year renovation and lived in the house during the whole process. I can completely relate on so many levels! I have gained a ton of storage and yet it’s still isn’t enough. I have a beautiful pantry, but I would probably do it differently and practically if I could do it over, hopefully with some rotation on our dry goods and your jar system, maybe I won’t have to buy that extra shelving unit after all 😂

[@TheCrossLegacy]

I have been laughing since I posted this video not much has happened in there the last 2 wks because Mike took all the hallway doors off to do the trim and they are leaning up against my pantry shelves. It's Neverending 😂

[@DawnaLeigh]

I am with you on the anxiety front! We have been empty nesters for 12 years (with grown children coming in and out for the first 7 years). It has taken us YEARS to go through all the food we stored and we still have some long term left. In one year I canned over 1,800 jars. I still have a good 1,000 empty jars left that nobody seems to want. 😳 This is an excellent video for our younger generation's that want to learn what and what not to do in setting up a good food storage program for their families. All this to say, kudo's for you for opening up your home and life to your views! Somebody had to bite the bullet (I'm glad it was you and not me)!😅

[@kaymack5304]

I wish I was your friend. I’d take the jars!😂

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Thank you for your kind words and understanding. Just like a stutter sometimes or repeat my words because of my neurological issue it's hard showing some of those not so perfect things.

[@lisadeluca5714]

You look exceptionally lovely today my dear! 😁Enjoyed this very much thanks for more great content. I had no idea about A1 and A2 milk. Thank you for that! Gotta get that book!

[@TheCrossLegacy]

If you are looking at the book/planner bundle that is on sale there is also a coupon code KZbin15 that works as an added bonus. www.thecrosslegacyshop.com

[@jogiese3483]

Please do several videos on batch cooking for how your process works and ideas on what freezes well.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Thank you for the feedback, I'll add it to my list! I plan to make more recipe videos this year and will try for specific batch cooking ones too.

[@deborahpowell3454]

Super video. Thank you.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

You're welcome, thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@user-mc3tp5sd2z]

Actually seeing this is great, because I don’t have enough space in my kitchen either. I expect many of us don’t. But, YOU’RE MOVING?! Omg! I have where house shelves in my garage I’ve used for years as my pantry, but now I think it’s become too hot in the summer for food nowadays, so need to rethink the whole thing. Looking forward to tides and bits too, because I struggle being a household of one now. I haven’t been able to successfully pair down my food without waste.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Yes, I finally said the words out loud that we are going to move and praying by the end of the year.

[@kathyhiggins2847]

Life is never prefect!

[@barbaracarbone4658]

Very interesting. I like these kinds of videos. They offer great ideas to your viewers. Thanks 🎉❤

[@TheCrossLegacy]

I am glad you were able to find some inspiration! 🤩

[@lenorawadsworth5883]

I'm sure this was helpful to many. Thank you for letting us into your pantry. I appreciated the tour. I am in the process of turning an empty bedroom into a pantry, still a work in progress. I am using the metal shelving like you have but am having a problem with the very top shelf. I am going to ask my neighbor for help. I am 77 and don't have the strength I once had (very frustrating).

[@TheCrossLegacy]

I think I forgot to say it in the video but we have all of the shelves attached to the walls also so they wont tip.

[@barbara31655]

I loved seeing how you have your pantry set up. I had my hubby build several sets of 2x4 shelving units in my basement for long term storage. The pandemic got me wanting to have stockpiles of ingredients on hand should the need arise again in the future. I have tons of things vacuum sealed in jars, some items in 2 gal buckets along with extra spices, paper products, water and canned goods. I do make sure to put the cans etc. in craniological order so as to use whatever is expiring the soonest first in my rotation. As long as I have all the basics around, which includes canned fruits and veggies, I feel that I can make a majority of what I need to get by. I don't want to get caught off guard like we were a few years ago. (PS) Include toiletries as well so you are prepared for that as well.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

I agree, I changed my way of thinking over the pandemic and really took to heart those things that Grandma's tried to instill in us. I really try to keep everything that is important stocked and rotated.

[@debbiedorsey2371]

Love all your tips! Are you staying in the same state?

[@TheCrossLegacy]

@@debbiedorsey2371 Yes

[@UpstateGrammy]

Are you moving to an existing house or will you be building? I would love to see the process of planning your next kitchen. Thank you!

[@TheCrossLegacy]

@@UpstateGrammy we don't know yet, lots of prayers to see what the next few months brings.

[@pamcadd8658]

Great video, Amy. Would love to know where you’re moving to. Sounds like you’re leaving the Seattle area.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

@pamcadd8658 my heart beats 509 ❤️❤️❤️

[@ckveggie6006]

Great video. I have your e-book. Just curious how thick you slice apples and how long you dehydrate them. Thanks so much.

[@Isabel_fit]

@thepurposefulpantry is a great resource for dehydrating! Time doesn't matter; temperature does!

[@TheCrossLegacy]

They are about a 1/4 inch thick and the moisture content in the apple is what determines how long they will take so each batch is different, I start checking them at 12 hours.

[@ckveggie6006]

@@TheCrossLegacy. Thank you. What temperature please. I have the excalibur dehydrator. My daughter lives in Kirkland and I’m in Victoria, British Columbia.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

​@ckveggie6006 145* for the first hour then drop it to 135* for the rest of the drying time. Freshness and moisture content is going to determine the actual drying time.

[@janetretzer4869]

Just found you and you have so many good ideas. Thank you. Two questions I have, one is why don’t you use the white plastic lids you can buy for the ball jars? The metal rust over time. Also, how do you clean and store mushrooms to last a long time? Thank you.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Hi, I use plastic for things like berries in my fridge but in the pantry I prefer the metal ones because they are airtight which is better for longer term storage. I also just made a video about mushrooms. I'll put a link here or you can also find it on my channel under recent videos. I'm glad you found my channel and hope you enjoy some other videos too. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6OVY2mPhJxngMksi=WVW4Dzs7lm91unBg

[@janetretzer4869]

I would love your answer on my questions, thanks it would help!

[@janetretzer4869]

@ thanks so much!!

[@TheCrossLegacy]

@ which questions? Did I miss them?

[@janetretzer4869]

@@TheCrossLegacy no you did thanks so much.

[@auswindall]

Amazing

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Thank you so much

[@andreagardner2335]

Where will you store it all if you are downsizing? You will have less space. Or will the storage locker be your pantry? Kind of expensive.

[@KarenEckels-k1u]

You are brave to shoot this one!

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Thanks!

[@dhrtiwalter8670]

I tried writing on my glass jars with Sharpie and it wasn’t good. How are you doing it or are those jars plastic and does it wash off so you can store something else in the jar? If you or someone else answers, thank you! I’m new at this 😊

[@TheCrossLegacy]

@dhrtiwalter8670 just a sharpie on glass jars, it comes off with dishsoap and a scrub washcloth

[@sandrawhite1366]

💛💛💛

[@nitaweitzel822]

I recently found your channel, and find the information interesting and helpful. I notice U mention being a diabetic, if U R type 2 Diabetic, Dr Neal Barnard can offer information to help regulate your disease, he also offers information on controlling Allergies. He is very credible. Also Dr Gregor. U seem open to change, I hope the information they offer will be helpful to U

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Thank you, I will look him up

[@Isabel_fit]

I love your videos but I think the editing has become a bit distracting. There's a lot of zooming/panning in on a time basis than a need basis, all of the random text popping up, the clicking/typing noise, the screen moving when a photo/video is shown on screen, etc. not sure who does the editing now but simplicity goes a long way

[@TheCrossLegacy]

Thanks for the feedback we are trying a few new styles to see what brings the most engagement and enjoyable content.

[@AzaleaBee]

I agree. One of the things I love about Amy Cross' videos is the feeling that I am right there in her kitchen or pantry with her. The editing in this video reminds me too much that I am watching a video. The sound effects in particular are quite annoying.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

​@AzaleaBee thank you for the feedback. This was a super hard video to edit because we took over 4 hours to film it and tried to condense it down to 30 mins so lots and lots of edits that happened later to make it sound smooth.

[@andreagardner2335]

Where will you store it all if you are downsizing? You will have less space. Or will the storage locker be your pantry? Kind of expensive.

[@TheCrossLegacy]

@@andreagardner2335 You are not allowed to store food in most storage units. The goal is to work through the pantry items and try to downsize it some. Some of the longer term food storage will go to a closet downstairs. And I will be moving the regularly used items into the kitchen. When Mike gets closer to that room, then we will box up all of the extra equipment and start a moving storage unit near where we want to move so we can utilize some of the trips we have been making back and forth, it's 4ish hours away.

[@andreagardner2335]

@ Oh, now I understand.