2019 Modern Homesteader’s Christmas Wish List
Despite the fact that most modern homesteaders lust after some version of “the simple life” and like to challenge ourselves to make do with what we’ve got (and be resourceful AF), we also tend to be suckers for good quality kitchen gadgets, garden tools, cookbooks, preserving equipment, natural ingredients and products that either take us back to a simpler time (hello cast iron and wooden spoons!) or make balancing this whole homesteading thing with the demands of life in the 21st century just a little -or a lot- quicker and easier (I’m looking at you, Instant Pot!)
The awesome thing is, as modern homesteading gains traction and more and more people jump on the self-sufficiency train, the more old-fashioned tools and modern-day time savers are becoming available for those of us who are striving for a homegrown, homemade life.
Naturally, many of us already have a list a mile long of practical, useful gifts that would have us swooning on Christmas morning. But if you need a few ideas for the modern homesteader in your life, you’re looking to inconspicuously send a link full of your favourite products to someone who needs a hint *wink wink*, or you just enjoy browsing Christmas gift guides full of your favourite things (yes, seed catalogues absolutely count;), then this list is certain to have everything you’re heart desires and more. (And if it doesn’t, please let me know what’s missing so I can add it!)
I’ll admit, I couldn’t tell you the first thing about what songs are on the Top 40 list right now or what hashtags are trending on social media, but when it comes to what’s hot in the modern homesteading world, I’m your girl.
And so, without further ado, I present to you the first annual Modern Homesteader’s Christmas Wish List!
Because the greatest gift of the season is being close to your loved ones. But the second greatest gift is the one you really want;)
(Please note: I am an affiliate for the products listed below, which means that if you make a purchase through one of these links I may get a small commission for recommending the product. However this doesn’t cost you anything extra and allows me to earn enough to keep this blog (and all of the free content) going strong. Thanks so much for your support!)
Gifts for the Kitchen
Cast Iron Cookware
No homestead kitchen is complete without at least one piece of cast iron cookware. If you weren’t lucky enough to inherit cast iron from you meemaw, here are a few cast iron pieces that will help you build your collection (and maybe even ensure you’ll have some timeless pieces to pass down to the future generations in your family!)
Cast Iron Skillet
Every homestead needs at least one classic cast iron skillet. Not only does cast iron make any modern homesteader feel just a little more like Ma Ingalls from Little House On the Prairie, it’s also a healthier and all around better way to cook food!
Cast iron heats up and cooks food more evenly which helps prevent burning, and it actually adds iron, an essential nutrient, to your food. And there are no harmful chemicals that could end up in your food (which unfortunately can’t be said for non-stick pans). Plus, cast iron lasts forever and can even end up being a family heirloom that can be passed down through generations.
Dutch Oven
A dutch oven is another must on any homestead, whether modern or old-fashioned, on or off the grid. Most modern dutch ovens are made of plain cast iron or cast iron covered with enamel. They can be used to cook food on the stovetop or in the oven, making them incredibly versatile.
There’s also this Spider Dutch Oven with feet that sit above hot ashes in a fire pit or wood burning fireplace and a concave lid that allows coals to sit safely on top, making it possible to bake food over an open flame. This is especially useful for homesteaders living off-grid or to have on hand in case of an emergency.
Cast Iron Pie Pan
If there’s any way to make homemade pie better, it’s with a cast iron pie pan. This cast iron pie pan ensures an evenly baked crust and a classic crimped edge for the perfect homemade pie. Add a rustic touch (and a dose of iron!) to any homemade pie!
Cast Iron Gift Set
This cast iron gift set is the ultimate Christmas gift for anyone with a penchant for old-fashioned living or healthier cooking! The set includes an 8″ skillet, 8″ lid, 8″ crock, handmade wooden trivet, stainless steel cleaning mesh, and organic seasoning paste. Perfect for a gift or as a starter set.
Small Appliances & Kitchen Gadgets
We could all use a little help in the kitchen sometimes. Consider the following gadgets and appliances a helping hand to assist you in getting from-scratch food on the table in record time!
Instant Pot
Ah, the Instant Pot. You’ve most likely heard lots about this handy modern kitchen tool and/or have stumbled upon about a thousand different Instant Pot recipes online. But you may also be wondering if this is just another trendy new kitchen appliance that will end up buried at the back of your cupboard. That’s what I thought before I got my own Instant Pot last Christmas, but OMG, let me tell you… I use it ALL the time.
Like a couple weeks ago when I cooked short ribs for the first time and was trying to get dinner on the table at 6:00 at night when I realized they would take 4 hours to cook in the oven! Into the Instant Pot they went and were done in 45 minutes:)
Of course, I also use it for soups, stews, homemade chicken stock, chilli, pot roast, whole chickens, rice… You name it, the Instant Pot can probably cook it.
Dubbed a “multi-cooker” with a seemingly endless variety of functions, the Instant Pot is a pressure cooker, slow cooker and steamer, and has settings to cook everything from rice and porridge to soup and broth and even yogurt. You can even cook frozen chicken breasts to perfection in 10 minutes! Yes, you read that right. You don’t even need to thaw frozen meats when using the Instant Pot and you can still have dinner on the table in less than 20 minutes.
And if all of the amazing food you can make isn’t enough to make you want the hottest item on everyone’s Christmas list this year, you can also make infused oils, extracts, soap, salves and creams. There’s not much you can’t do with an Instant Pot, and while it won’t cook dinner for you and serve it to you at a candlelit table, it’s pretty much the next best thing.
Stand Mixer
I have to say, as much as I love my Instant Pot, there’s no kitchen appliance I use more often than my Kitchenaid Stand Mixer. I use it to make our yeast bread, baked goods, pizza dough, quick breads, cookie dough, brownies, and the list goes on. Plus there are an endless number of cool and useful attachments for the from-scratch home cook, including a food processor, pasta maker, spiralizer, meat grinder and many more.
Food Processor
I’ve lived without a food processor for years, and it sucks. Grating, julienning and slicing everything by hand is super time-consuming, and any time saved in the kitchen is the greatest gift of all for anyone who strives to make all her meals from scratch. This Breville food processor is a solid product and a workhorse that’s made to last in the kitchen. It’s also a godsend during preserving season when you’ve got 100 pounds of cucumber to slice and turn into pickles, cabbage to shred for sauerkraut and peppers and onions to dice up for homemade salsa:)
Mockmill Stone Grain Mill
Grinding your own flour at home means you get all of the health benefits of fresh, whole grains in your home-baked goods. This Mockmill 100 stone grain mill can grind up to 100 grams of soft wheat per minute with its ceramic grinding stones and industrial motor, making it the cream of the cop when it comes to grinding your own wheat berries and ancient grains the fast and efficient way! A must for the serious home baker.
Preserving Equipment & Tools
Preserving food goes hand-in-hand with homesteading. Luckily for us modern folk, there are a few useful tools and appliances that can help put up the harvest safely and with ease. Here are the preservation tools that every homesteader needs in their kitchen in 2019.
Water Bath Canner
A water bath canner is an essential tool for any homesteader, whether modern or old-fashioned. This is the perfect tool for anyone just getting started (or wanting to get started) canning fruit, sauces, jams, jellies, pickles, salsas, spreads, chutneys, juices and preserves. A must-have in any homestead kitchen!
Pressure Canner
While water bath canners are great for jams, jellies, pickles and preserves, you need a pressure canner for serious canning of vegetables, meats, soups, stews and stocks. The pressure canner at the top of pretty much every homesteader’s wish list is the All-American Pressure Canner. There’s nothing you can’t can with this baby!
It can also be used as a water bath canner, which means it’s possible to can everything from pickles and preserves to meat, seafood, vegetables and combination recipes. You can literally preserve almost the entire harvest with just this one tool!
Dehydrator
I didn’t know how badly I needed a dehydrator in my life until I got an Excalibur dehydrator for Christmas a couple years ago. What a game changer!
Dehydrating opens up a whole new world of possibilities when it comes to preserving, making it possible to make your own dried fruits, fruit leathers, dehydrated vegetables, “sun”dried tomatoes, dried herbs, powdered greens, veggie and kale chips, beef jerky, whole dried meals and even yogurt. And all you need to do is set it and forget it! No skill required:)
Food Saver Vacuum Sealer
A Food Saver vacuum sealer is the answer to your prayers when it comes to preserving food in the freezer. The airtight sealing system helps you extend the shelf life and prevent freezer burn for everything from fruits and vegetables to meats and prepared freezer meals. A must-have for any modern homesteader who uses the grid to her advantage;)
Canning Tools
Where would I be without my canning tools? Probably with third degree burns on my arms and a big mess on my counter. Honestly, I don’t know how people can foods without a few handy canning tools like these jar lifters, this canning scoop and this canning funnel.
My own canning tools are some of the most used items in my kitchen. I even use the scoop and funnel for other messy tasks like using the funnel to transfer dry goods into jars and using the scoop to transfer flour from the big bag into my flour canister, sans mess:)
Fermenting Kit
While you can totally ferment food the old-fashioned way (with nothing more than a fermenting crock), this fermenting kit makes it fun and easy to ferment any food with ease. A great gift for any beginner or seasoned fermenter!
Indoor Growing Kits
Grow food indoors all year long with these indoor growing kits for sprouts, microgreens and mushrooms and ensure you always have a supply of fresh, healthy food to add to your home cooked meals!
Culinary Herb Garden Kit
This rustic, barn-wood style planter box and culinary herb growing kit makes growing herbs indoors both easy and attractive. Don’t wait for warm weather! Grow herbs in your kitchen so you’ll always have them fresh when you need them to all your home cooking.
Sprouting Kit
Sprouts are thought to be one of the most nutrient-dense foods known to man since they contain all the nutrition of full grown plants compacted into tiny sprouts that can be consumed en masse. The best part? You can grow them on your counter all year long! Even better? They’re ready to eat in just a few days and you don’t even need soil!
This sprouting kit comes with everything you need to start sprouting seeds at home even if you have no experience. Also comes with a large variety of seeds and includes stackable trays that can be used to sprout many different seeds at once. Also includes wheat berries and can even be used to grow wheatgrass hydroponically!
Microgreens Starter Kit
Take your indoor growing one step further and grow some microgreens! Similar to sprouts, microgreens are simply baby seedlings that are eaten when they’re still small instead of being allowed to grow to their full size. (The difference is that sprouts are merely sprouted seeds whereas microgreens are allowed to grow into seedlings).
This microgreens starter kit has everything you need to get started growing microgreens indoors including growing trays, a selection of seeds and even the soil! Hydroponic microgreens kits are also available. Another great way to grow fresh, nutrient-packed food that’s ready to harvest in just a few days. Perfect for year-round growing indoors in any size space!
Mushroom Growing Kit
Mushrooms are a fantastic food source to start growing indoors since they don’t exactly need a lot of sunlight. I once knew of a woman who lived in a tin high rise apartment in downtown Vancouver and she grew mushrooms in her bedroom closet! And it’s not hard to see why: This oyster mushroom growing kit comes with everything you need to grow right out of the box – just add water, and you’ll be harvesting delicious mushrooms to cook with in stir fries, pasta dishes, pizza or however else you enjoy mushrooms at home!
Odds, Ends & Stocking Stuffers
Here are a few more odds, ends and items that no modern homestead kitchen should be without.
Wooden Cooking Utensils
I use my wooden cooking utensils almost every day in my kitchen. Not only are they rustic and beautiful on display on my counter, they’re also all-natural and great for cooking food without fear of plastic particles or metals leeching into your food. A great stocking stuffer idea!
Silicone Oven Mitts
I LOVE my silicone oven mitts. Not only do they keep my hands safe and insulated from heat, the silicone exterior makes it easier to grip hot pans and casserole dishes without fear of them slipping out of your hands and making a big hot mess all over your kitchen. And the silicone also makes them easy to wipe clean when you get food on them and prevents burn marks. I got mine as a wedding present and have used them almost daily for almost 5 years now and they’re still just as good as new!
Fermentation Weights
These glass fermentation weights make keeping fermenting foods under the brine a breeze, which helps to minimize food loss and ensure a quality finished product. These make for a fantastic stocking stuffer for any modern (or not so modern) homesteader!
Oversized Mason Jar Storage Jar
There’s nothing a homesteader loves more than staring for hours on end at the pretty Mason jars of home-canned food that line her pantry shelves. But dried goods can sometimes be a bit of an eyesore in their packages, boxes and bags. The solution? Put them in this oversized Mason jar!
You can display dried goods like four, sugar, grains, dried fruits, nuts, etc. in this beauty on your countertop or tucked away in your pantry. Or you could store just about anything else in here (Lego pieces come to mind as I glance over at my living room floor… Kids.)
Cookbooks
What homesteader doesn’t love to flip through cookbooks for hours on end? It’s even better when the recipes are all made from scratch and actually easy to make at home! The following cookbooks are a mix of the hottest sellers right now and tried and true classics bound to give you the inspiration (and instructions) you need to make from scratch cooking a breeze!
The Prairie Homestead Cookbook
The Prairie Homestead Cookbook: Simple Recipes For Heritage Cooking In Any Kitchen is the hottest selling homestead-themed cookbook of 2019, hands-down.
Author Jill Winger, creator of The Prairie Homestead blog and host of The Old-Fashioned On Purpose Podcast makes traditional homestead and heritage cooking easy and accessible with simple, fresh farmstead recipes like Maple Sage Breakfast Sausages, Farmer’s BreakfastHash, Homemade French Bread, Honey Whipped Carrots, Tomato Basil Galette and Fudgy Sourdough Brownies, to name but a few. This book is also loaded with lots of other great information on growing and preserving your own food. This is the cookbook that’s topping many a modern homesteader’s wish list this Christmas (including mine!)
Handmade
Part cookbook, part memoir, part practical homesteading and general life advice, author Melissa K. Norris weaves together the story of her family, the wisdom passed onto her through five generations of homesteading experience and the from-scratch recipes that she’s inherited from those who came before her in her book Hand Made: The Modern Guide to Made-From-Scratch Living. Full of easy, straightforward recipes with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. You’ll find everything in his book from sourdough bread to buttermilk biscuits (the best I’ve ever had!) to homemade soap to homespun Christmas decorations and more!
Homestead Kitchen
If you’re a fan of Alaska: The Last Frontier, then you’ll definitely be a fan of Homestead Kitchen: Stories And Recipes From Our Hearth To Yours. Written by ATLF stars Eivin and Eve Kilcher, this is a true homesteader’s cookbook that covers everything from Essential Cooking Staples and Tools to “Cooking the Homestead Way” to homestead recipes categorized by the origins of their ingredients. There are recipes from the garden, the henhouse, the pantry, the root cellar, the milking shed, the forest and the sea, to name a few. Plus many entertaining stories and tidbits of information about the Kilcher family sprinkled throughout.
Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving
I can’t say enough good things about The Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving. I call it my “canning bible” since it’s my go-to guide for canning everything under the sun. This book contains 400 canning recipes and complete step-by-step instructions for water bath and pressure canning so even a total newbie can’t go wrong. Another must-have kitchen “tool” for every modern homesteader.
Gifts for the Garden (and Barn)
Hori Hori Multipurpose Garden Tool
The Hori Hori garden tool is a multipurpose tool that can be used for everything from digging to trenching, planting, cutting, and even opening your beer after a long day working in the garden;) Hori Hori, which translates to “dig dig” in Japanese, is considered one of the best all-around garden tools of 2019. And, of course, it’s a Japanese-made knife, which means it’s built to last.
Canvas Garden Apron
Fashionable and functional, this canvas garden apron has 6 large and medium pockets to hold seed packets, tools, gloves, your phone and anything else you might need out in the garden.
Garden Tool Stool
As an avid gardener, I know how painful it can be to be on your knees on the dirt all the time. That’s why this fold-out canvas garden tool stool is a dream come true for gardeners of all ages! Not only does it offer you a place to sit comfortably anywhere in your garden, it also has eight large pockets to keep all of your tools and gardening gear close at hand.
Gardener’s Scissors Gift Set
These beautiful and functional garden scissors make a perfect stocking stuffer for homesteaders and gardeners. Not only will they be well used come spring when it’s time to start snipping herbs and cutting twine, these stainless steel scissors with bamboo handles packaged in a reusable wooden box make this a gorgeous gift set that would pair well with a pair of quality gardening gloves.
Garden Journal
A garden journal is the perfect gift for homesteaders who love to get their goals and dreams down on paper, record their results and stay organized. This month-by-month guided journal helps to ensure you make the most of your garden by helping you plan your garden calendar all year long so you never miss an important task or date. There’s also space to write, doodle, plan and dream and to record your harvest, yield, seeds, crop rotation cycle and more to give you an advantage the following season too!
Egg Gathering Apron
An egg gathering apron is a must for every chicken farmer! (Yup, even the dudes;) Not only does it make gathering eggs easy and helps to ensure they don’t crack and break, it looks super cute too! Another fun and functional gift that makes homestead life just that much better:)
Gifts for the Home
Essential Oils
Essential oils have changed my life in so many ways. They’re a key ingredient almost every homemade product I make, from candles and room sprays to body butters and salves to homemade cleaners and bath products. And they’ve become an integral part of my journey to creating an all-natural home and medicine cabinet.
There’s an essential oil for just about everything, from illnesses and injuries to stress and anxiety to helping you focus and easing fatigue. Plus they’re an all-natural, synthetic chemical free way to make your home smell ah-mazing. Essential oils are the perfect gift for anyone, and they’re a sure hit with homesteaders everywhere.
Diffuser
Every essential oil enthusiast must have a diffuser. Diffusing essential oils is one of the most common ways to enjoy them and reap their health benefits and their beautiful aromas.
I currently own two diffusers and have a goal of someday having one in every room! I love using them to make my house smell amazing with just a little water and a few drops of essential oils rather than using synthetic fragrances. I especially love that I can diffuse relaxing oils like lavender in my daughter’s bedroom at night to help her sleep or I can add oils that help ease symptoms of illness that the whole family can benefit from when we’re under the weather.
Wood Stove Eco-Fan
Anyone with a wood stove needs one of these eco-fans! It helps to heat your living space by blowing warm air throughout your home, and it’s powered by the heat of the wood stove itself. Just set it on top of your wood stove, light a fire and enjoy the toasty warmth!
Oil Lamp
Nothing says “pioneer” like a good ol’ fashioned oil lamp. Not only does it complete the look of a vintage farmhouse, it’s also backup lighting for if and when the power goes out. Pick up a used one from your local second hand store or order new online (Yes! They actually still make these!)
16-Arm Laundry Dryer
There’s just something about line drying your clothes that harkens back to a simpler time. Not to mention, hanging clothes to dry helps to preserve them longer and saves money and energy. You can hang your clothes to dry inside or out with this adjustable 16-arm dryer that folds up completely and was designed for use in any size space. Great for the apartment homesteader who still wants the benefits of hanging clothes to dry!
Laundry Soap Nuts
Soap nuts naturally produce saponin: a biodegradable, hypoallergenic and extremely effective detergent. A great stocking stuffer or companion gift for the drying rack!
Cast Iron Skillet Clock
Handcrafted in the USA, this cast iron skillet clock is the perfect cute but functional piece of decor for any homestead kitchen, old or new!
Handmade Gifts From The Heart
Every modern homesteader appreciates the art of the handmade gift as much (if not more than) store-bought gifts. Here are some quick and easy QUALITY handmade gifts you can make at home for yourself and for the people on your list, whether they’re homesteaders or not!
- Homemade Soy Candles with Essential Oils
- Christmas Room Sprays with Essential Oils
- Homemade Whipped Body Butter
- DIY Hair Pomade with Rosemary Essential Oil
- Peppermint Sugar Scrub
- DIY Bath Salts with Essential Oils
- DIY Cookie Cutter Birdseed Ornaments
And as always, if you have anything you think should be added to the list, let me know in the comments below!
Wishing you a homemade, homegrown, homestead Christmas 🙂
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If you haven't checked-in lately, the last week or so, we've sorta been in the trenches of homesteading and life over here. While some make it out to be glamorous all the time there are high's and low's just as there are in life.
With all that's going on, I've been making a point to find my way back into the garden, which is not only needed to feed my family, but also for some personal spiritual nourishment.
I just want to take a minute to love on my favorite veggie today, Broccoli! 🥦 It's one we plant over-and-over and I'm leaning into its abundance this year.
Not only is it one of my favorites, but we've also found it's one of the easiest veggies to grow so if you haven't tried it or added it to your garden yet, there's no better time than the present.
I've got an entire post on How to Grow Broccoli from Seed here: https://thehouseandhomestead.com/how-to-grow-broccoli-from-seed/ if you're looking for any tips or tricks.
In my "How to" post you'll also find a link to one of my favorite recipes for Cream of Broccoli Leaf Soup!
Can I be honest?
Sometimes you've gotta take a step back and look at the life you've created for yourself and ask yourself "is this truly what I want?"
The other day I shared about losing two of our rabbits this week to Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease. The stress of losing them comes amidst a backdrop of heightened tensions around here...
From work pressures for Ryan to me trying to run a business and handle a very fussy, colicky 2-month-old (and a very busy 6-year-old), to things ramping up in the garden again and all of the other million things that need to get done (including multiple loads of laundry a day thanks to more spit up than I ever knew a baby was capable of producing), I finally felt like I was ready to crack this week.
Oh, not to mention we're doing this all on next to no sleep thanks again to our sweet boy.
I know this is all part of what we signed up for, but when it all happens at once, it can feel completely overwhelming. And when I'm completely overwhelmed and stressed out, that's exactly when I get sick too, which is exactly what happened a couple days ago.
Then yesterday (Saturday) I woke up feeling awful and decided to scroll Instagam as I nursed Noah. I saw other mothers with 6, 8 or even 10 kids somehow keeping it all together getting three square meals on the table every day while managing to keep a tidy kitchen and find time to Instagram about it.
I saw other homestead bloggers reaching new levels of success in their business that I can only dream about right now. And as I sat there in bed, covered in spit up with a ravenous baby nursing off me as I tried to console him, I felt sad for myself in that moment that I couldn't live up to the folks I was comparing myself to.
Later in the day I had to work, so Ryan took the kids to the beach and I stayed home. And I felt sad once again; Sad that I was missing out on yet another weekend with my family because I had created a life where I now have to work weekends just to keep up.
But the silver lining was that the work I had to do yesterday forced me out into the garden, and it was probably the most soothing thing I could have done for my soul.
(Continued in comments…)
Sometime homesteading looks like homegrown vegetables and freshly laid eggs and sourdough rising on the counter.
And sometimes it looks like tears when you have to bury one of your animals 😔
Ryan went out to feed the bunnies yesterday and Flopsy -our little black and white bunny- was laying dead in the pen. There was no blood, other than a little bit by her mouth. Seems like something internal happened. We’re not sure what.
Evelyn helped lay her to rest yesterday. It was a hard weekend for her. First she stayed with grandma and went with her to put her sick, 17-year-old cat down. Then she came home to the news that Flopsy was gone.
But I believe she’s more resilient because of it. We talked to her about how death is a part of all life, and allowed her to go through the stages of grief and process it however she felt she needed to.
Homesteading isn’t always sunshine and rainbows and snuggly barnyard animals. Homesteading teaches us hard lessons and helps us to become stronger and more resilient by challenging us daily.
Yesterday was a sad, hard day. But I’m glad we got to experience it together as a family.
A few years ago, Forbes published an article titled Dear Homesteaders, Self-Reliance is a Delusion.
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What does self-reliant really mean? Is it actually achievable, or just a pipe dream?
Over on the blog today I'm unpacking all of these thoughts, and the things I do know for sure as a homesteader, mother and member of a strong and self-reliant community.
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It’s that time again...
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In the spring issue, we cover a diverse range of topics from how to trade your skills for land to the realities of going off-grid, from seed-starting to what to do with too many eggs, and from the simple joys of a homemade herbal cocktail to the sometimes heavy emotional toll of raising meat animals.
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If you grow plants from seed (or if you want to), you’re likely going to want to start a few of them indoors. And if you start your seeds indoors, something that will make your life so much easier (and make your seedlings bigger, stronger and healthier) is an indoor growing stand with grow lights.
I've got a post I'm sharing with you today that will walk you through choosing the best type of lighting for whatever you're growing and then a step-by-step guide of how to make your grow stand, along with product recommendations if you want to make yours just like mine!
Ours can accommodate up to about 200 seedlings, but you can make yours as small or big as needed:)
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Theme of the Month: ADIDAS
No, not the textiles brand, it stands for: 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗜 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 because it's officially March and we are in full swing around here!
Before you just start throwing seeds in the ground or into red solo cups on your windowsill, it’s important to take some time to read your seed packets and get to know each crop’s specific needs.
Understanding the information on a seed packet is super important when it comes to gardening, especially if you want your plants to get a strong, healthy start and produce an abundance of food for you. And what gardener doesn’t want that?!
Set yourself up for success and take a minute to read through my 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 & 𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘗𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦, before your weekend gardening plans begin.
Grab the guide link in my bio, or get it here: https://thehouseandhomestead.com/how-to-read-seed-packets/
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The benefit of making all-natural toothpaste at home is avoiding the unhealthy additives found in most commercial toothpastes by substituting ingredients with proven benefits for oral health.
So if you’re also on a mission to rid your own home of toxic products and replace them with healthy, all-natural versions that actually work, then I highly recommend whipping up a batch of this all-natural homemade toothpaste.
Wishing you health, wealth and squeaky clean teeth… The all-natural way;)
You can find the recipe here https://thehouseandhomestead.com/all-natural-homemade-toothpaste-recipe/ or at the link in my bio.
It's that time of year 🌱 seed starting season!
I know you can feel it too. The transition from winter to spring is truly a special time. It’s when life begins again. It’s the very first taste of all that lies ahead.
So before you go just planting any and every seed you can get your hands on, I've got a list of 8 Things to Think About Before Starting Seeds, to get you off on the right food!
I will walk you through, planning, sowing, containers, watering, lighting and more, and if that's not enough you can download my Seed Starting Cheat Sheet at the end to lay it all out.
I hope you're as excited as I am for the beautiful Spring season that lies ahead:)
You can find the list here https://thehouseandhomestead.com/before-starting-seeds/ or at the link in my bio.
What are you planting this year? Anything new you've never tried before? Share with me in the comments!
Ever thought about growing mushrooms at home??
A great EASY way to get started is with one of these mushroom grow kits from @northsporemushrooms
All you need to do is cut open the pack, spray with a little water (the kits even come with a handy little spray bottle), and then sit back and watch the magic happen!
And seriously, watching mushrooms goes does feel a little like magic because they grow so fast you can practically see them growing, no time lapse necessary!
The mushrooms are ready for harvest in just a few days. No gardening experience or land necessary! Even a newbie homesteader in an apartment in the city can grow these babies!
This is a great way to dip your tow into the much bigger world of mushroom growing and harvesting, and to try out a few new varieties that you probably won’t find anywhere else.
I grew Pink Oyster Mushrooms, Lion’s Mane and Blue Oyster Mushrooms (all pictured here). I’ll be using the Pink Oyster Mushrooms in a rigatoni pasta for dinner tonight. I turned the Lion’s Mane into Lion’s Mane “crab cakes” and the Blue Oyster Mushrooms are delicious as part of a stir fry or sautéed in butter and spooned over sourdough toast.
If this reel intrigues you, you can grab your own mushroom grow kit (along with time of other mushroom related products, including fruiting blocks, outdoor log kits, medicinal tinctures, capsules and more) at northspore.com. Use code HOUSEANDHOMESTEAD for 10% off your order!
And if you haven’t yet, be sure to check out my interview with Louis Giller of North Spore Mushrooms in the winter issue of Modern Homesteading Magazine. You can also find my recipe for Lion’s Mane “Crab Cakes,” along with other delicious mushroom recipes and an in-depth feature on medicinal mushrooms including Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga and Cordyceps in the winter issue.
Visit modernhomesteadingmagazine.com to subscribe or login to the library and read the current issue.
Mushrooms really are pure magic, don’t ya think? 🍄 ✨
#mushrooms #mushroomhead #shrooming #eatyourshrooms #mushroomsaremagic #modernhomesteading #urbanhomesteading #homegrown
If you’ve been following me for any length of time, it probably comes as no surprise that I don’t exactly love relying on the grocery store to provide for me and my family, and that sentiment is only getting stronger as time goes on.
Between supply chain issues, rising food costs and the plethora of unhealthy ingredients, chemicals and GMO foods on grocery store shelves, I’d rather toil in the garden and kitchen all year to grow and preserve my own food than have to rely 100% on grocery stores to provide for me.
But that being said, we are in no way 100% self-sufficient so when I do go to the grocery story, I haveI have some ingredient guidelines in mind that I use when shopping for my family.
Check out my shopping tips, what I do and don't buy, and where and who I like to buy from here at this link https://thehouseandhomestead.com/healthy-grocery-shopping-tips/ or at the link in my bio.
Usually by late February/early March, right about nowish, I’ve pretty much had enough of winter and the thought of enjoying a tropical fruit platter and a cold adult beverage on a sunny beach in *insert tropical vacation destination here* seems to be just about all I can think about...
But with a newborn at home that's about the last thing on our to-do list right now! So this year, I will be visiting my tropical escape via my favorite Low-Sugar Mango Jam recipe.
If you do have tropical vacation plans, have a piña colada for me 🙏🏼, but if you don't then this recipe may be just what you need to "escape" for a few minutes into that tropical paradise:) 🥭🍹
Check out the recipe here https://thehouseandhomestead.com/low-sugar-mango-jam-recipe/ or at the link in my bio.
Let me know how the recipe works for you, and if add in any additional fruits to change it up!
Great list of homesteader items! In fact, I had a lot of these same items on my Honesteader’s Christmas article! I especially loved how you added non money gifts. The gift of time and help means so much! Thank you for a great blog post.