Homesteading Made Simple I Joyfully Prepared

In this episode: ✅ Wendi’s real-life hurricane prep stories (what worked + what flopped) ✅ Why knowing what you have — and where it is — matters so much ✅ How to prep food for maximum comfort and minimum stress ✅ The #1 mindset trap moms fall into during storm prep ✅ A fun 10-minute game to get your hurricane gear checked + ready ✅ Encouragement to prep from a place of peace, not fear Mentio...

In this episode of Joyfully Prepared, Wendi continues the story she began in part one, opening up about how God helped her reframe her identity and healing journey after a season of deep heartbreak. You’ll hear how she: Discovered that her purpose was not just motherhood — but her identity as a daughter of God Began to reframe her experiences, seeing them as things that happened for her, not to he...

In this episode of the Joyfully Prepared podcast, Wendi gets real about the weight of motherhood — and how carrying it all nearly broke her. She shares how she slipped into unhealthy patterns: Never letting her kids experience consequences Neglecting her own physical and emotional needs Skipping connection with her husband Believing no one else could handle things “right” Caring too much about wha...

What would you grab if you had to leave your home in five minutes? Most moms would panic—and understandably so. That’s why this episode is a gentle, grace-filled walk through what belongs in a 72-hour kit for babies, toddlers, and kids. Inside this episode, Wendi shares: Why this isn’t about fear—it’s about love The difference between a diaper bag and a 72-hour emergency kit Real-life scenarios wh...

In this episode, Wendi reflects on her own wheat journey—from her mom’s beautiful stone-ground loaves to her own slightly tragic first attempts at homemade bread. With humor and warmth, she shares: The dreamy idea of grinding your own flour... and the real-life learning curve A few simple wheat basics (hard vs. soft wheat, flour freshness, and storage) The importance of soaking grains and flour fo...

In this episode of the Joyfully Prepared Podcast, Wendi sits down with Dr. Kaz —a seasoned coach for athletes and executives—to demystify insulin resistance. You'll learn: What insulin resistance really is (hint: it’s more than just a buzzword) The “cheerleaders-in-the-hallway” analogy that makes blood sugar easy to understand How insulin resistance can lead to brain fog, belly fat, mood swings, h...

In today’s episode, Wendi plays a round of “3 Lies and a Truth” — preparedness style! She’ll walk you through three common myths that keep people stuck or overwhelmed when it comes to being ready for emergencies. You'll learn: Why preparedness isn’t just for doomsday types How to get started without spending a fortune Why it’s okay (and expected) to learn as you go The powerful truth that prepared...

When the power goes out, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—especially when hungry kids are staring at you like you’re the generator . In this episode, Wendi shares: What to do in the first 10 minutes of a power outage No-cook and minimal-cook emergency meal ideas Cozy ways to make a stressful moment feel like a family adventure Her favorite tools, gear, and prep-ahead tips Why progress matters more th...

In This Episode, Wendi Shares: A personal birthday reflection filled with joy, tenderness, and encouragement A message to her younger self—and to every woman feeling stretched too thin Why joy isn’t always loud, and how to find it in quiet moments How to redirect your thoughts toward peace and abundance The spiritual heart of true self-reliance (and the trap of entitlement) How to gently model acc...

In this episode, you’ll learn: What companion planting is (and why it’s not just for garden nerds) Why herbs are the ultimate multitaskers in your garden How to place herbs like basil, rosemary, and mint to support your fruits and vegetables The best culinary and medicinal uses for 9 powerhouse herbs Wendi’s favorite tips and fun analogies that make gardening feel doable and delightful Herbs cover...

Key Points: Insanely Long Shelf Life: Lasts 5–10 years when stored properly—no more tossing forgotten eggs. Always in Stock: Your emergency stash of kitchen gold—never run out of eggs for recipes. No Refrigeration Needed: Store them in your pantry, perfect for power outages or camping. Versatile Use: Works well in scrambled eggs, omelets, quiches, bread, pancakes, and more. Eliminates Food Waste:...

Intro: A gentle reminder that preparedness is about progress, not perfection. The Myth of Perfection in Preparedness: Letting go of unrealistic expectations and appreciating the power of taking small steps. Small Steps = Big Empowerment: Inspired by The Gap and The Gain , recognizing the progress you’ve made and celebrating those gains. Letting Go of Perfection: Embracing preparedness as a mindset...

What We Cover in This Episode: 🍽️ Why wheat, beans, oil, salt & sugar aren’t “enough” on their own 😬 How food fatigue & digestion issues make long-term survival harder 🌾 How to store and actually cook with wheat, beans, oil, salt & sugar 🥦 What to add to your food storage for a well-balanced pantry 📌 Key Takeaways: ✔️ Wheat can be sprouted for fresh nutrients & cooked whole for variety. ✔️ Bea...

🧸 Why Kids Reject Food Storage Meals 📖 Food Neophobia (Fear of New Foods) Kids are wired to resist new foods —it’s a survival instinct! Taste buds are more sensitive, making new flavors overwhelming. Stress makes picky eating worse. If they won’t eat it now, they won’t eat it in an emergency. ✅ How to Make Food Storage Work for Kids: ✔️ Store what they already eat ✔️ Introduce food storage meal...

🔹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ Why the Minnesota Starvation Experiment proves food fatigue is real ✔️ How Survivor contestants struggle with hunger, yet still refuse certain foods ✔️ Why kids and elderly adults are the most likely to reject unfamiliar food ✔️ How food storage can fail if it’s built around “survival foods” instead of real meals ✔️ Simple ways to make sure your food storag...

Have you ever opened your fridge or pantry, seen random ingredients , and thought, "There’s nothing to eat!" ? You’re not alone! Meal planning and food storage go hand in hand , and in this episode, I’m sharing my simple, stress-free approach to making meal planning work for your real life —even on your busiest days. You'll learn: ✔️ Why meal planning and food storage are the perfect pair (and how...

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why elderberries are a must-have plant for your garden ✅ How Wendi started making her own elderberry syrup (and now sells DIY syrup kits!) ✅ The health benefits of elderberries and elderflowers ✅ Best practices for growing and caring for elderberries ✅ Tips for harvesting elderflowers and berries ✅ How to use elderberries for syrup, tea, gummies, and more...

Guest: Tiffany Donaghu | Founder of Set Apart Organizing Website: setapartorganizing.com Facebook Community: The Organized Home for Kingdom Living Instagram & Facebook: @SetApartOrganizing Topics Covered: ✔️ Tiffany’s personal journey from homemaker to professional organizer ✔️ The three-step process to decluttering and organizing your home ✔️ How to get your family on board with an organizational...

Key Takeaways: The Banter with God: Wendi humorously recounts a conversation where she realizes she just wants to "eat, drink, and be merry" without challenges—but God has a greater purpose for growth. Shame and Self-Worth: A conference discussion on shame leads to a powerful realization: shame convinces us we are unworthy of love, blessings, and good things. Receiving Blessings with Gratitude & W...

When the weather turns cold, there’s nothing quite like the smell of soup simmering on the stove or fresh bread baking in the oven. In this episode of The Joyfully Prepared Podcast, Wendi Bergin shares her favorite tips for creating warm, comforting meals with minimal effort and maximum joy. From nostalgic family traditions to practical pantry staples, Wendi dives into the heart of what makes comf...

In this special episode of Joyfully Prepared, Wendi sits down with Dr. Danielle McGeough, professor, mom, recovering overachiever, and host of the Plan, Goal, Plan podcast. Together, they explore the art of planning as a joyful, playful, and restorative act that brings clarity, alignment, and purpose. From decorative planning with stickers to intentional journaling, Danielle shares how planning be...

Decluttering Your Kitchen and Simplifying Meal Planning as Self-Care In this episode, Wendi dives into how decluttering your kitchen and simplifying meal planning can be acts of self-care. Learn why a clean kitchen can bring joy and how to start creating space—physically and mentally—through meal planning. Wendi shares actionable steps to use food storage as a foundation for stress-free meals and...

Here to expect on the podcast: Wendy's personal challenges with kitchen management. A systematic approach to decluttering the kitchen, tackling one cabinet at a time. The importance of meal planning and preparation, particularly using food storage effectively. How is kitchen management a form of self-care? And much more!   Resources: Meal Planning Worksheet - https://joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/pla...

Here to expect on the podcast: Wendi's journey of personal transformation throughout 2023-2024.  How to set goals from your future self's perspective rather than your present state. Understanding that transformation drives goal-setting, not the other way around. How Wendi managed setbacks and adjusted her expectations while maintaining focus on her desired transformations. And much more!   Resourc...

Connect with Wendi Bergin! Website: https://joyfullyprepared.com/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/joyfulprep Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyfulprepper/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selfreliantmoms/ Download Home Storage Checklist: https://www.joyfullyprepared.com/52weeks