Old Fashioned On Purpose

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...

Milk is magic.  It’s an incredibly versatile liquid that has the ability to morph into so many amazing things.  Today I’m focusing on three of my all-time favorite milk recipes that will leave you coming back for more.  Specifically I’m talking about yogurt, ricotta, and buttermilk.  These three recipes are not only delicious, they’re also easy to make!  Want to make these phenomenal recipes in yo...

Time is by far our most valuable asset.  While I love cooking delicious, healthy, and wholesome food, it can be an extremely time consuming task.  I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve wasted in the kitchen on a daily basis Today I provide my favorite tips and tricks to save time every single week.  Find out the staples that are always in my kitchen and on the shopping list, how to batch, and why i...

Do you ever dream of the homestead life, but shutter at the thought of living so far away from town?  I can’t even begin to count the number of people that’ve voiced this exact concern over the years.  Don’t worry.  I get it.  The full-on homestead life isn’t necessarily for everyone.  Don’t fret my friends, today I’m here to offer up ideas on how you can get a taste of the homestead life without...

My Fool-Proof From-Scratch Thanksgiving Menu Are you tired of the same old processed foods you’ve been eating at Thanksgiving?  I’m here today to show you why cooking Thanksgiving the homestead way is the absolute best way to go.  On today’s episode I’ll explore my favorite way to cook a turkey, why mashed potatoes are the best, my ideal way to prepare cranberry sauce, and so much more.  This epis...

How to Cook the BEST Thanksgiving Turkey Yes my friends, it’s that wonderful time of the year.  Thanksgiving is upon us and for most of us that means one thing:  turkey.  On today’s episode, I’m thrilled to share my favorite way of cooking a turkey.  Brining offers the best combination of deep flavor and juiciness.  Beyond brining, I’ll share some of my favorite turkey related stories.  If you’re...

Have you ever used ancient grains in your cooking?  If you’re new to the game, you’ll likely realize that using Einkorn flour produces a much different experience when it comes to cooking and baking.  Today we’re going to explore the health benefits of using Einkorn and other ancient grains.  We’re also going to dig into different uses and what to expect when you first go to use ancient grains in...

There is no shortage of information out there when it comes to homesteading.  The unfortunate thing is that most of it is just fluff.  Today I’m here to provide you a quick start guide so that you can get on the correct path on your journey.  Learn why food is always the top priority on the homestead and how you can start weeding out poor choices immediately.  Find out why the most important part...

If you’ve followed me for any period of time, you’d certainly know my deep love for all things butter.  It’s by far my favorite dairy-made product.  Today you’ll learn the process of making your own butter at home and the incredible advantages it provides over store bought butter.  To be honest, you’ll be shocked at how easy this really is to do.  I hope this inspires you to start making butter of...

Home dairy is a bit of a status symbol in the homesteading community.  However, there are three very big myths that prevent most homesteaders from even getting started.  In today’s episode I expound on these myths as well as outlining many incredible uses for home dairy  (hint:  it’s not just milk).  Some highlights from the episode:  My foray into banned milk products  My favorite home dairy prod...

What’s it like to be a homesteading, homeschooling, entrepreneur, from-scratch-cooking, mom-of-three?  I’ll be the first to admit, it can be exhausting.  While I work to keep a set schedule, depending on the seasonal duties I have I need to keep things a little fluid.  Fair warning, my schedule isn’t to be used as a template for everyone.  I’m simply here to show you how I manage my busy life with...

When push comes to shove, I always prefer to let a broody hen hatch her eggs rather than getting chicks from the feed store.  However, sometimes it’s just not that simple.  If you’ve ever been curious about broody hens or have dealt with this yourself, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.  What I have for you today is a crash course on everything you need in order to successfully deal with...

As I sit here today, it’s very clear to look back and see how homeschooling gave me the tools needed to succeed.  The disciplined instilled in me at young age allowed me to build the habits that let me excel in college and in business. It gave the me the freedom to explore passions that I never would’ve been able to if I attended public schools.  To be very clear, I’m not saying homeschooling is t...

No, the title isn’t a mistake.  After gaining a reputation online as “the milk cow” girl, once again we have milk goats.  Why do we have milk goats again after all these years?  Our daughter Mesa decided to use some of her fair money to buy two Paper Nigerian Dwarfs.  Listen today to find out why I’m excited to once again have goats on the homestead and what we could be doing with them in the futu...