Old Fashioned On Purpose

Perhaps the biggest road block anyone faces on the homesteading journey is trying to figure out how to buy land.  It’s such a big issue that it prevents most people from considering the homestead life in the first place.  On today’s episode, I explain several strategies that we utilized in order to make our homesteading life work.  Beyond simple strategies like cleaning up debt and working extra j...

 As a gardening fanatic, one of my favorite times of the year has arrived.  I don’t know about you, but when my seed catalogs arrive at the beginning of the year I find it hard to contain myself.  About seven years ago I started using heirloom seeds exclusively.  Why did I make the switch?  On today’s episodes I dive into many different reasons why I prefer heirloom seeds and the characteristics t...

I’ve failed in nearly every way imaginable attempting to make sourdough.  So why would you listen to me?  I’ve taken the lumps so you don’t have to.  On today’s episode, I’m walking you step-by-step through my favorite way to make a sourdough starter.  Not only have I found this method to be extremely effective, but you’ll be amazed at how simple this process really is.  I’m here to show you that...

While I thought that some people might question how we pull off homesteading with kids, it turns out this is one of the most-asked questions among listeners.   The truth is, it has everything to do with our parenting style.  While I’m sure there are people who will disagree with some of our ideals, this is just me explaining what works for our family on the homestead.  It’s not perfect by any mean...

With the rapid evolution of technology and modern conveniences in our society, it’s easy to ask if the old ways are falling to the wayside.  While it’s true that some things are bound to disappear, it’s also true that from the hustle of New York City to the calm of the Wyoming countryside, more-and-more people are discovering homesteading each and every day.  It might not be a full-on homestead as...

Cast iron can be intimidating.  With all of the misinformation floating around, it’s easy to understand why some avoid it all together.  Cast iron is by far my favorite way to cook, but it can present some real challenges for any new user.  Today we cover the difference between standard cast iron, enamel coated cast-iron, when you should and shouldn’t season your pan, what to do with a pre-seasone...

While I absolutely LOVE living in the country, there are certainly some challenges you have to deal with.  One of the biggest challenges is grocery shopping.  While we do grow and produce many different food items on our homestead, due to our growing seasons and climate restrictions it simply isn’t possible to produce everything we need on our own.  So how do we cope?  I’m glad you asked!  On toda...

Yes.  I said it.  I don’t like ‘homesteading' anymore.  When I first got involved with ‘homesteading’, the word carried a certain endearing quality.  It somehow encompassed the animals, the open fields, the freedom, and the community.  Most of all, ‘homesteading’ represented being a bit of a maverick.  In the very beginning there weren’t that many homesteaders.  Today, it seems everyone is ta...

On previous episodes, I’ve discussed how homeschooling has reaped massive benefits in my life.  I’ve even discussed how my children are benefitting from the exact same practice.  On today’s episode I’m here to pull back the curtain on how Christian and I homeschool our children.  I discuss everything including schedules, books we use, the main differences between homeschooling and public schooling...

When it comes to homesteading, one of the most overlooked essentials is a well-stocked pantry.  Whether it’s an unexpected road closure, a blizzard, or a few additional guests, planning for the unexpected is sure to save you time and stress.  On today’s episode, I walk you through the absolute must-haves from my very own pantry.  Learn why to buy meat in bulk, what fats I always keep on hand, and...

It seems that today that many kids lack one of the most important skills that leads to long term success in every area of life.  This of course is creativity.  It seems that creativity could be getting stifled by the evolution of technology.  As things become easier and easier to access at the push of a button, we’re filling our free time with mindless activities that don’t allow for precious bore...

Intentionally or unintentionally, sometimes we can hide parts of ourselves that others would really like to see.  If you follow me on social media or any of the other places my brand shows up to the world, it might be easy to assume that I always live some perfect curated life.  The truth is, we all have things about ourselves that might surprise other people.  On today’s episode, I’m here to shar...

Once again we’ve arrived at that magical time of the year.  The special time where hope springs eternal and a new year is upon us.  I’ve always loved this last week of the year because it gives me the opportunity to reflect on the past year and plan what’s to come.  On today’s episode, I layout the steps I always take to ensure I’m ready for success going into the new year.   • To begin this homes...

One of the most common questions when it comes to homesteading is “What do you do to keep the animals warm in the winter?”  Naturally, our first instinct is to grab lamps or other forms of heating elements.  The thing that most of us forget is that the vast majority or animals are designed to withstand the cold own their own.  Above anything else, animals just need a way to get out of the wind and...

Looking back on how things started, it’s truly quite incredible to reflect on how I arrived at the point.  For anyone that has followed for any length of time, you’d know that my entire venture into entrepreneurship started with a blog.  When I first started, I had no intention of making money.  All I really wanted to do was tell my story.  It wasn’t until a friend reached out to me asking for adv...

Modern life is convenient, but is this always a good thing?  Generally speaking, if something is becoming easier, quality is likely being sacrificed in the process.  As things become easier, we become more-and-more comfortable.  We become complacent and eventually stop growing.  While I’m not here today to bash technology and all of our wonderful modern conveniences, today I’m here to explain why...

Winter in Wyoming means frequent trips outside to grab firewood for our wood stove.  So why heat with wood in the first place?  Economy, efficiency, and independence highlight the incredible benefits of heating your home with a wood stove.  While I do profess the use of wood, there are a number of things you need to consider before jumping in and installing a wood stove in your home.  Man sure to...

Although I was born in Idaho, I still call Wyoming my home.  Wyoming is an incredible place, but before you pack up the chickens and head this way, I’m here to explain the good, the bad, and the ugly about homesteading in Wyoming.  In today’s episode I describe why your diet can affect where you choose to establish a homestead, why weather needs to be a serious consideration, and how to determine...

Depending on the part of the country you’re in, you’re likely finding yourself in the thick of winter.  While I’ve learned to love some of the winter moments, there are several keys you must keep in mind to ensure your animals stay safe throughout the cold months.  On today’s episode, I layout how we stay prepped for the rough weather.  This includes anything from shelter, watering systems, adjust...

As I detailed in a past episode, there’s a lot of misinformation and folklore when it comes to cast iron.  This incredible cookware is a staple in my kitchen and it deserves a special place in yours as well.  For anyone who has been intimidated by cast iron in the past, this episode will not only ease your fears, it’ll give you the confidence to use cast iron on a regular basis.  I even explain ho...

Are you dreading the oncoming winter nights?  For quite some time, winter really got me down.  More than anything, I was bored.  After spending almost all of my time outside in the spring and summer months, I felt sequestered to my house as the frosty months passed by.  I’m happy to say this has drastically changed over the years.  By picking up new hobbies, learning to appreciate the change in se...

Are you struggling to keep up with an increasingly busy schedule filled with 4-H, homeschooling, tending to the milk cows, and all of the other wonderful things that come with life on the homestead?  I’m in the thick of it right now and let me tell you, it ain’t no joke ya’ll!   Like most of you listening, I’ve always felt a certain way about freezer meals.  My first association had always been bl...

This is what we all dream of, right? Of course our love of the homestead life is why we get involved in the first place, but the idea of actually making a living off the homestead (or even just a little extra money) can seem far-fetched. Today I’m not just here to explain why this is entirely possible, but I’m also providing 6 proven ways to start making money off your homestead. From selling anim...

Have you ever dreamed of publishing your own book? I can tell you from experience, it is one of the most challenging and rewarding processes you can ever undertake. On today’s episode, I’m drifting a bit from the traditional podcast. Come with me as we take a journey from initial idea to published book. We’ll talk literary agents, the difficult editing process, the computer crash that nearly broke...

The word 'cast iron’ exudes strength in-and-of itself.  For some reason, the internet might have you believing these types of pans are delicate little flowers. No matter what you think at this point, I’m here to bust some common cast iron myths that will have you converting in no time flat.  Listen today to learn how to properly season your pan, how to save rusty pans, and hear me bust the la...