Old Fashioned On Purpose

4-H played a pivotal role in my life growing up.  Because of this, I have been counting downs the days until my daughter was able to start participating.  Though I had experience of going through 4-H as a kid, it’s entirely different going through it as a parent.  In today’s episode, I’m here to share the most valuable tips I learned from my first go-round as a 4-H parent.  My goal with this episo...

Cooking with oils tend to be looked at as a no-no in the culinary world. However, with a little practice and some care, essentials oils have become a vital addition to my kitchen cabinet. Today we’re going to investigate how to asses any dangers with essential oils, the efficacy of cooking with them, and the incredible flavor benefits from good oils. Most important, you’ll learn how to separate th...

Have you ever wondered how you can eliminate sugar from your recipes replace it with 100% natural sweetener that’s actually good for you? This might seem like something made I just made up, but I promise you this is a real ingredient that you can start using immediately. Today I’m joined by homesteader, author, photographer, and maple syrup expert, the incomparable Michelle Visser. Michelle walks...

For many health conscious individuals out there, fat might as well be a four letter word.  The sheer thought of using fat to cook might even send chills up your spine.  Fear not my friends.  Not only do the right fats add a ton of flavor, but many are even good for you.  I did a ton of research while building my ideal homestead kitchen, and fat was the common ingredient tying the best recipes toge...

Let’s face it.  The modern kitchen isn’t built for the homestead lifestyle.  Even after several renovations, my relatively small kitchen requires several key tools to create maximum functionality.  If you’ve ever wondered the key items I simply can’t live without, well today is your day.  From dutch ovens to wooden spoons and everything in between, load up on these simple tools to make your daily...

It’s no secret.  Out of all the aspects of homesteading, the animals are the one thing I can’t live without.  Today I’m going to walk you through everything you need to consider prior to adding your first animals to your homestead.  You’ll learn where to buy, what to look out for before buying, why quality is always the best route, and so much more.  Discover why bloodlines not only lead better an...

Without a doubt, by far the question I get asked the most is how I got started in homesteading.  In reality, the better question to ask is why does homesteading even matter in the first place?  In today’s episode, I take a deep dive into why homesteading serves such an important purpose in today’s ever increasing technological world.  The truth is, no amount of convenience can replicate or replace...

If you’re on the verge of stepping into the homestead life, this episode is a must listen.  Today I’m diving into the most important issues to consider before making an investment in a property.  Find out why thinking small can leave you stuck, why climate considerations matter, and why overall lifestyle is important to keep at the front of mind.  No matter if you’re purchasing your first homestea...

Fermented foods can be a polarizing topic.  For quite some time, they literally left a bad taste in my mouth.  Have you ever experienced this yourself?  It wasn’t until I ventured into the world of crocks that I finally cracked the fermentation code.  No matter what side of the fermentation fence you sit on, today’s episode will provide a thorough guide to help you get started.   Some highlights f...

Winter is slowly creeping up on us, especially here in Wyoming.  After our first frost last week, I knew it was time to start prepping for the season ahead.  That being said, we don’t have to give in and close up shop at the first sign of winter.  There are a number of different tactics we can utilize to squeeze the last bits of life from our gardens.  In fact, the tips I’m outlining in today’s ep...

Today I’m here to provide you a very organic, extremely affordable way to fertilize your soil, suppress weeds, increase organic matter, and prevent erosion.  I know what you’re thinking-- This sounds way too good to be true!  I’m happy to tell you, this is very, very real.  On this special episode I’m joined by Parker from True Leaf Market, the non-GMO seed company that is literally a dream come t...

Apples hold a special place in my heart.  This incredible fruit is the very first thing I ever canned on my own.  In today’s episode I detail my favorite way to preserve apples for the long-haul.  Find out which apple varieties are the best for canning and why naturally sweet apples are always the best choice.  Today’s episode will teach you how you can create incredibly tasty, crispy apple slices...

The seasons are changing.  Depending on the part of the country you’re in, winter can mean vastly different things.  While it’s great to enjoy the current harvest, a homesteader always has to plan ahead with the upcoming season in mind.  On today’s episode I dig deep into my favorite tactics on preparing for winter, including amending your soil, cleaning up your plants, adding compost, and so much...

Potatoes are by far my favorite vegetable.  I’d imagine it’s pretty safe to say I’m not alone in my affinity for spuds.  No, it’s not even due the fact I was born in Idaho, better known as the home of the potato.  My favorite part of harvesting potatoes is the act of digging them up.  It’s like treasure hunt every time.  Today’s episode is dedicated to everything potatoes.  From harvesting to stor...

Herbs have always seemed to be hit or miss for me.  While I love the flavor fresh herbs bring to my cooking, I tend to either have more than I know what to do with or none at all.  If you’v ever experienced this problem, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.  I detail my four favorite methods of preserving herbs for the long haul.  Many of you are likely aware of dried herbs.  While I do co...

If you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for different ways to maximize the yield from you harvest.  While I love canning, sometimes the volume of your harvest simply doesn’t warrant going through the process.  On today’s episode I’m detailing my favorite way of quickly preserving even the smallest amount of vegetables.  Listen to find out the entire process of quick-pickling, the tools...

On today’s episode, you’re going to learn how Christian and I are managing to raise old-fashioned kids in the modern technological world.  How our we accomplishing this?  Mostly by providing our kids with unstructured time.  It turns out that allowing time for your children to be bored will actually increase their creativity.  Who knew?  Listen to find out why letting go of your kids is actually t...

When is the “simple life” not always simple?  For those of you transitioning into the homestead lifestyle, it’s pretty much all the time.  From barn construction to dairy goats to him baked bread and so much more, it’s a never ending cycle of building and improving.  How do I know?  I’ve been there.  Even with all the homesteading experience Christian and I now have, we still find ourselves overwh...

Whether or not you are currently a homesteader, I’m willing to bet that we both share this common problem.  Time is our most valuable commodity, and usually the first and easiest thing to sacrifice is a good home cooked meal.  Today I’m here to not only explain why you don’t have to sacrifice cooking from scratch but also provide the tools you need to make your home cooked meals a reality. Some hi...

When Christian and I first started out, we were relying on his single income as an electrician.  By staying out of debt and focusing on doing anything we could do to earn extra money, it allowed us to build our homestead piece-by-piece.  Regardless of where you’re at financially, it’s possible to get into the homestead game.  Before you begin on your journey there’s some key things you should know...

Today I’m going to be taking a deep dive into one of the more controversial topics on the homesteading front.  Although both dairy goats and milk cows are viable options, find out why Christian and I eventually moved to milk cows and sold our goats.  Learn the main differences when it comes to cost, pasture space, transportation, and overall taste of milk.  If you are considering entering the worl...

Greetings friends and family!  Back in episode 3 I explained the benefits of raised garden beds and why we chose to use them on our homestead.  Today I’m going to talk about several different options on how you can create raised beds on your own.  You’ll also get a detailed explanation on how we built own very own, incredibly unique raised beds made out of steel.  I’m hoping this episode will make...

Eating fruits and vegetables fresh off the vine is always the preferred method for optimum nutritional value.  Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to consume our fresh foods before they go bad.  So what’s the best way to preserve the harvest?  Research shows that proper canning is the best way to ensure nutrients remain locked in your foods as long as possible.  Listen today to discover everyt...

We all make mistakes.  Let me tell you, Christian and I have made quite a few on our homesteading journey.  In today’s episode, I’m going to dive into the top 5 mistakes we’ve made over the last few years.  These learning experiences are sure to save you time, money, and headaches in the process.  No matter if you own a homestead, are interested in becoming a homesteader, or simply enjoy learning...

As we’re approaching harvesting season on the homestead, it’s crucial to be prepared for the bounty of food that’s about to roll in.  Whether it’s coming from your own garden, a farmers market, or other local producers, understanding how to properly preserve the harvest will provide wonderful meals for months to come.  Today we’re going to focus on my favorite method of food preparation:  canning....