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Feeling Behind? You're Measuring Progress All WrongEver look around your homestead and see nothing but unfinished projects? The garden needs weeding. The bread hasn't been baked. The chickens have their own ideas about productivity. And somehow, another day has gone by without finishing everything on your list. Sound familiar? In this Transformation Journal episode of Homesteading Made Simple, Wendi shares how she went from feeling like a lousy homesteader to realizing she'd actually been making more progress than she thought. It turns out that being productive and making progress aren't always the same thing. In this episode:Why changing seasons of life require changing expectationsHow an overgrown food forest became a symbol of falling behindThe surprising discoveries from Wendi's six-week check-inWhy learning, making decisions, and accepting help are forms of progressHow to recognize personal growth that doesn't appear on a to-do listWhy joy and relationships deserve a place in how we measure successA simple exercise to help you celebrate your own progressTry the Ta-Da List Challenge!Instead of writing another to-do list, spend ten minutes answering these four questions: What did I accomplish? Include small wins and unfinished projects you've moved forward.What did I learn? Think about new skills, discoveries, and lessons.What did I change? Consider decisions, habits, priorities, and things you've stopped doing.What brought me joy? Remember the moments and relationships that made life meaningful.You may discover you've made far more progress than you realized!Download the Transformation Journal Page Let's talk!What's one thing you've accomplished, learned, changed, or enjoyed over the last six weeks? Share your own Ta-Da List moment in the comments. Let's celebrate a little more and criticize ourselves a little less. Thanks for joining me for another Transformation Journal episode of Homesteading Made Simple. 🏡 Website: joyfullyprepared.com 📚 Joyfully Prepared Library: joyfullypreparedlibrary.com 🗓️ Meal Planning Worksheet: joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning 🏠 Joyfully Prepared Realtor: joyfullyprepared.com/realestate 📸 Instagram: @joyfulprepper 👩‍🌾 Facebook Group: joyfulprepgroup.com 🏡Real Estate: https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/

00:00 — Why fire cider is easy, cheap, and very hard to mess up00:55 — What fire cider actually is (and why it feels like cheating)01:30 — Cheap, customizable, practically indestructible02:20 — The foundational ingredients, and why it isn’t just chaos in a jar02:55 — Onion, garlic, and hot pepper: what each one does in the jar03:30 — Ginger, turmeric, and horseradish, the drama queen04:15 — Can’t find horseradish root? What I buy instead04:50 — The half teaspoon that cleared my sinuses05:30 — Lemon and rosemary, two easy add-ins06:00 — How to make it, no measuring required06:50 — Filling the jar: citrus, apple, and my elderberry syrup kit08:00 — Pouring the vinegar and getting the air pockets out08:55 — The parchment trick that protects your lid09:20 — Shake it daily, wait six weeks, strain10:50 — How I take it every day (and protect my teeth)11:20 — Salad dressing, marinades, and spicy chamomile tea12:20 — Feeling sick at Homesteaders of America, and the vendors who helped13:30 — Self, family, community: once you learn a skill, it’s yours14:30 — Don’t toss the leftovers: chutney, powders, chickens, compost15:40 — Freeze-dried and dried ingredients work too16:50 — All you need is a jar and the willingness to tryA few things worth writing downStart with the base, then make it your own. Onion, garlic, hot pepper, ginger, turmeric, and horseradish go in first. Citrus, apple, berries, rosemary, and elderberries are optional add-ins.Wash everything, chop it up, and fill a quart jar about three-quarters full. Pour in raw apple cider vinegar (with the mother) all the way to the top, and poke out the air pockets with a wooden or bamboo stick.Put parchment paper between the jar and a metal lid so the vinegar doesn’t eat at the metal. Label it with the date.Shake it once a day for about six weeks, topping it off with vinegar in the first few days if dried ingredients soak some up. Then strain it and sweeten with honey if you like. Honey isn’t safe for babies under one year old.A tablespoon in a glass of water is a simple daily habit. Sip it through a straw or rinse with plain water afterward to protect your tooth enamel.The strained ingredients aren’t trash. Use them in chutney, dehydrate and powder them, add them to soups and stir-fries, or give them to the chickens or the compost.LinksMentioned in this episode Homesteaders of America and their annual conference — https://homesteadersofamerica.com/homesteaders-of-america-conference/Storing infused vinegars safely Clemson Home & Garden Information Center, Flavored Vinegars — https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/flavored-vinegars/National Center for Home Food Preservation — https://nchfp.uga.edu/Find me Website — https://joyfullyprepared.com/All episodes — https://joyfullyprepared.com/podcast/Joyfully Prepared Library — https://learn.joyfullyprepared.com/libraryFree Facebook group — https://www.facebook.com/groups/joyfulprepInstagram — https://www.instagram.com/joyfulprepper/Send me a message — https://joyfullyprepared.com/contact-me/Looking for homestead property in Central Florida? — https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/Come find meMake a jar this week. Then take a picture and tag me on Instagram at @joyfulprepper. I want to see your best spicy chaos in a jar, and I want to know what you put in yours. And think of the friend who catches every cold that goes around, or the one who keeps saying she’d like to learn herbal remedies but doesn’t know where to start. Send her this episode. She only needs a jar. If you want more, the Joyfully Prepared Library has videos on canning, herbal remedies, and a lot more. Stay joyful, stay prepared, and maybe keep a little garlic on hand just in case.

Have you ever wanted to learn something new but talked yourself out of it because you were afraid you wouldn't be good at it? You're not alone! This week, I'm joined by the absolutely delightful Alice O'Connell of Learn to Knit Online. Alice spent years working as a British television and theater actress before discovering knitting as a way to stay calm, grounded, and awake during long days on set. What started with a rather lumpy scarf eventually became a lifelong passion for teaching others. And let me tell you, Alice has some incredible stories to share! In this episode, we talk about:How Alice discovered knitting while working as an actress.Why being a messy beginner is actually a wonderful gift.How knitting can encourage calm, creativity, and self-compassion.Letting go of perfectionism and harsh self-criticism.The surprising transformations Alice has witnessed in her students.Why learning practical skills is an important form of self-care.How repetitive creative activities can provide a welcome break from everyday stress.The joy of making handmade gifts and creating family heirlooms.How to get started knitting without spending a fortune.We also share some personal stories about learning new skills, including my own adventures in quilting and learning to knit mittens and socks while serving as a missionary in Finland. One of my favorite takeaways from this conversation is that we don't have to be perfect at something to find joy in doing it. Sometimes the greatest gift we can give ourselves is permission to learn, make mistakes, laugh, and celebrate the little victories along the way. So grab two sticks and some yarn, and come join us! Alice O'Connell, Learn to Knit Online — https://www.learntoknitonline.com/Learn to Knit (Netherlands site) — https://www.learntoknit.nl/Meet Alice — https://www.learntoknitonline.com/knittingteacheraliceKnit With Confidence course (Amsterdam classes) — https://www.learntoknitonline.com/knitwithconfidenceAlice's Knitting Blog — https://www.learntoknitonline.com/learntoknitblogAlice on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/learntoknitonline/Alice on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOk74C8UXmaaXMysKIduTGASophie Scarf pattern by PetiteKnit — https://www.petiteknit.com/products/sophie-scarf · Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sophie-scarf-2Come find meHere's what I want from you this week: make something. Knit a wonky row, bake a lopsided loaf, plant one pot of herbs. It doesn't have to be pretty. It has to be yours. Then send me a picture. I mean it. Ceramics, bread, a scarf with a hole in it — I don't care what it is. DM me on Instagram at @joyfulprepper, post it in the Joyfully Prepared Facebook group, or send it through the website. You will get the biggest cheer you can imagine, because I know you're doing your best. And share this one with the friend who says, "Oh, I could never do that." She can. She just needs someone to tell her it's okay to be messy first. Website — https://joyfullyprepared.com/All episodes — https://joyfullyprepared.com/podcast/Send me a message — https://joyfullyprepared.com/contact-me/Free Facebook group — https://www.facebook.com/groups/joyfulprepInstagram — https://www.instagram.com/joyfulprepper/Joyfully Prepared Library — https://joyfullypreparedlibrary.com/Looking for homestead property in Central Florida? — https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/YouTube —Homesteading Made Simple

Have you ever thought you were prepared for an emergency, only to discover that something you were counting on didn't work? That's exactly what happened to Greg Peterson during Hurricane Helene. His generator failed. His backup battery failed. And suddenly, the old preparedness saying "Two is one, one is none" became very real. But preparedness doesn't have to be complicated, expensive, or frightening. In this conversation, Greg and I talk about what it really means to live a prepared life. We share stories, laugh about our collections of pressure canners and dehydrators, and explore how small, everyday choices can make a tremendous difference when life takes an unexpected turn. In this episode, we talk about:Why having a backup isn't enough if you never test it.What Hurricane Helene taught Greg about generators, water, and cooking without electricity.How to build a stocked pantry using meals your family already loves.Why skills are more valuable than stuff.Simple alternatives for cooking, lighting, and staying comfortable during a power outage.Why preparedness looks different depending on where you live.How to get started by taking inventory of what you already own.Why self-reliance allows us to serve our families and communities.Greg's wonderful idea for a neighborhood potato planting party!A thought to take with youPreparedness isn't about collecting enough stuff to survive every possible disaster. It's about learning to live in a way that gives you confidence, peace, and the ability to help others. Start with what you have. Learn something new. Build a little at a time. And don't forget to test that generator! Connect with Greg PetersonGreg is the founder of The Urban Farm and host of The Urban Farm Podcast, where he shares inspiring stories and practical knowledge about growing food, urban farming, and creating stronger communities. Listen to The Urban Farm Podcast: Available on your favorite podcast platform. Greg Peterson, The Urban Farm Podcast — https://www.urbanfarm.org/blog/podcast/ Connect with WendiExplore homesteading, food storage, canning, and preparedness resources at Joyfully Prepared . Find more episodes of Homesteading Made Simple on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube.   Mentioned in this episode Nutrient Survival — freeze-dried food — https://nutrientsurvival.com/Wise Harvest Freeze Dried Foods — https://wiseharvestfreezedriedfoods.com/New Wave Enviro — water bottles and jugs — https://newwaveenviro.com/Azure Standard — bulk organic food — https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=2be6b9010aJackery — solar generators — https://www.jackery.com/Dirtcraft Living Soils (Dirtcraft Organics) — https://dirtcraftorganics.com/Homesteaders of America — 2026 Homesteading Statistics & Demographics Survey — https://homesteadersofamerica.com/2026-homesteading-statistics-demographics-survey-results/Free from me Food Storage Meal Planning Worksheet (10 meals × 7) — https://joyfullyprepared.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Meal-Planning-Worksheet.pdfMeal Planning Guide — https://joyfullyprepared.com/mealplanning/Safety references worth bookmarking Ready.gov — Power Outages (generator safety) — https://www.ready.gov/power-outagesCDC — Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention — https://www.cdc.gov/carbon-monoxide/prevention/index.htmlNational Center for Home Food Preservation (tested canning recipes, including meats) — https://nchfp.uga.edu/Find me Website — https://joyfullyprepared.com/All episodes — https://joyfullyprepared.com/podcast/Send me a message — https://joyfullyprepared.com/contact-me/Free Facebook group — https://www.facebook.com/groups/joyfulprepInstagram — https://www.instagram.com/joyfulprepper/Joyfully Prepared Library — https://joyfullypreparedlibrary.com/Looking for homestead property in Central Florida? — https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/YouTube —https://www.youtube.com/@joyfullyprepared

Why does everything seem to fall apart the minute we stop working on it? It started for me with a red towel. That towel reminded me of a brilliant organization system I created years ago for my seven kids. Everyone got their own color. No more missing towels. No more confusion. Except, of course, it didn't quite work that way. And that's what got me thinking about entropy. Things naturally move toward disorder. Dishes pile up. Laundry returns. Weeds grow. Houses need repairs. Our bodies need care. And somehow there is always another meal to make. It doesn't mean we're doing it wrong. In this episode, we're talking about what happens when you have too many plates spinning and why constantly trying harder may not be the answer. We'll talk about: • Why organization requires ongoing energy• The difference between falling behind and failing• How many invisible "plates" we're carrying around in our heads• Which responsibilities might need to be eliminated• What you can delegate to your children, spouse, or someone else• How simplifying routines can reduce the amount of maintenance your life requires• Why clutter creates another plate to manage• Giving yourself permission to rest when a plate falls You already know how to spin a lot of these plates. The question might not be, "How do I get better at keeping all of them spinning?" It might be, "Why am I spinning all of these plates in the first place?" Mentioned in this episode: Joyfully Prepared Library -https://www.joyfullypreparedlibrary.com Meal Planning Worksheet - https://joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning Joyfully Prepared Realtor - https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/ Website - https://joyfullyprepared.com Instagram - https://instagram.com/joyfulprepper Facebook - https://www.joyfulprepgroup.com Safe Water Drop: SafeWaterDrop.com

Can someone really look into your eyes and learn something about what’s happening inside your body? I’ve been fascinated by iridology for years, so I invited naturopath and iridologist Dr. Angel Hill to finally help me understand it. Angel is a second-generation naturopath who has studied thousands of eyes during her career. She explains how iridology works, what she looks for in the iris, and why she considers it a non-invasive, non-diagnostic tool for helping her clients understand their bodies. We also get into a much bigger conversation about taking responsibility for our health and learning some of the signals our bodies may be giving us. In this episode, we talk about: • What iridology is and how Angel uses it• What an iridology chart looks like• What Angel calls “stress lines” in the eyes• The connection between iridology and homesteading• Gut health and why Angel considers it foundational• Cortisol, insulin, thyroid, and what Angel calls “Hormone Heaven”• Why protein matters, especially with your first meal• Getting outside in the morning and evening• Minerals and electrolytes• Simple ways to become more observant and proactive about your health• Why learning about our bodies can be another form of self-reliance Angel also shares three simple practices she recommends people start with: Get about 30 grams of protein with your first meal.Spend at least 10 minutes outside in the morning.Make sure you’re getting adequate minerals and electrolytes.This conversation reminded me of something I believe deeply about homesteading: self-reliance isn’t just about growing food, preserving the harvest, or preparing for emergencies. It’s also about learning how to care for the body God gave us. Connect with Dr. Angel HillWebsite — https://angelhillonline.com/Book a consult — https://drangelhill.practicebetter.io/YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@AngelEyes32570Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/angeleyes32570Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/angeleyes32570/Angel also has a video explaining iridology, including examples of eyes and some of the things she looks for. Iridology Video Connect with WendiMeal Planning Worksheet - https://joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning Joyfully Prepared Realtor - https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/ Website - https://joyfullyprepared.com Instagram - https://instagram.com/joyfulprepper Facebook - https://www.joyfulprepgroup.com Joyfully Prepared Library -https://www.joyfullypreparedlibrary.com   A quick note: Iridology is considered a complementary or alternative health practice and should not be used to diagnose disease or replace appropriate medical care.

42% of American homesteaders came from zero farming background. No grandparent with a garden, no summer on somebody's farm. Nothing. And 28% of them are doing this on less than one acre. Homesteaders of America just released their 2026 survey — over 4,000 homesteaders, compared against the survey they ran in 2022. So for the first time, we can see what actually changed in four years. Retirement nearly doubled. Full-time employment dropped. Land got smaller, not bigger. And every single reason people gave for homesteading got strongerbetween the day they started and today. I read the whole thing twice, because apparently I'm that person now. But here's why I cared: I have people sitting across from me trying to decide whether to buy a piece of land, and almost all of them say some version of the same sentence — "I feel like I'm the only one." This report says: no, honey. You're the majority. I'm Wendi Bergin — homesteader, realtor, and the host of Homesteading Made Simple. Preparedness brings peace, not fear. This one's a foundation episode; I'll be pulling threads out of it for weeks. We talk about: Why 42% of homesteaders have no farming or homesteading background The surprising number homesteading on less than one acre Why homesteaders are getting older, and why that's actually encouraging The biggest financial challenges facing today's homesteaders Why people's reasons for homesteading seem to get stronger over time The skills homesteaders most want to learn next, including herbalism, food preservation, gardening and water Why you don't need 20 acres, a barn or generations of farming experience to begin If you've ever wondered whether you're too late, don't have enough land, or don't know enough to call yourself a homesteader, this episode is for you. The land is the container. What matters is whether that container fits the life you actually want to live. Start where you are. Learn one skill. Then another. Preparedness brings peace, not fear.The report itself 2026 Homesteading Statistics & Demographics Survey Results — Homesteaders of America, published August 2026 Homesteaders of America 2026 Homesteaders of America Conference — Front Royal, Virginia. Wendi's going. Come say hi. Food preservation resources (for the 60% who said preservation is what they want to learn next) National Center for Home Food Preservation — the free, tested-recipe standard USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving   Come find me If you've got questions about buying homestead property — including the "can I really do this on a postage stamp?"question — reach out. I'm a licensed realtor here in Florida, and if you're somewhere else, I can help you find an agent in your state who actually understands homesteading properties. We've got to band together and be a community. And there's a whole run of episodes coming out of this report — the retirement number, the under-one-acre number, the faith number, why herbalism is beating gardening. Tell me which one you want first. Leave a comment or send me a message, and I will genuinely reorder my schedule for you. Share this one with the friend who keeps saying she'll start homesteading "when we finally get some land." 🏡 Website: joyfullyprepared.com 📚 Joyfully Prepared Library: joyfullypreparedlibrary.com 🗓️ Meal Planning Worksheet: joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning 🏠 Joyfully Prepared Realtor: joyfullyprepared.com/realestate 📸 Instagram: @joyfulprepper 👩‍🌾 Facebook Group: joyfulprepgroup.com 🏡Real Estate: https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/

When do you actually get to call yourself a homesteader? Is there some committee that sends you a certificate? 😂 I've realized that I have a funny habit of doing the thing and then still telling myself I'm not quite the real deal. So in this episode, I'm opening up my Transformation Journal and looking back over the last eight weeks of life. We're talking about: Harvesting and preserving elderberries, moringa, goldenrod, skullcap, and butterfly pea flowers Why walking through my food forests brings me so much joy Finishing my quilt top and finally saying, "I'm a quilter!" Cooking more from scratch and becoming more intentional about the food I eat My adventures as a substitute goat milkmaid Some pretty exciting milestones for my daughter Celebrating 29 years of marriage How motherhood prepared me for the emotional side of real estate The real estate experience that made me realize, "I AM a Realtor" Changes I've made to the Joyfully Prepared Library What teaching the Old Testament has taught me about God, Christ, and myself Why I believe Jesus Christ celebrates our growth with us And the realization that yes, I really am a homesteader We are very good at finishing something and immediately moving the goalpost. But sometimes we need to stop, look backward, and notice the evidence. You may already be becoming the person you've been trying so hard to become. Ask yourself: What evidence from the last eight weeks shows who you're becoming? A few things worth writing down The five categories, if you want to start tonight: three wins, at least one tender mercy, one way you were anti-fragile, one transformation, and your goals for tomorrow. That's it. It fits in a cheap notebook. Anti-fragile isn't "nothing can break me." It's that you've been broken before, and the next hard thing meets a person with more experience and more insight than the last one did. Write both first and last names of anyone you mention. A week later you will read "ran into my friend" and have absolutely no idea who that was. Freeze-dried herbs are the low-effort win. Harvest, wash, tray, freeze-dry, blitz in a blender. Moringa, goldenrod blossoms, skullcap, butterfly pea flower all went in the same summer. Single-ingredient preserving buys you options. Plain tomato sauce becomes anything later. Pre-seasoned spaghetti sauce only ever becomes spaghetti. Batch-cook, don't meal-plan. A cooked chicken pulled off the bone, a pot of dry beans, and cooked pasta in the fridge means dinner is assembly, not a project. You are not starting at zero in a new career. Patience, negotiation, listening, keeping people calm — those transfer. Wendi's motherhood is doing real work in her real estate business. Links Azure Standard (organic wheat and bulk food, delivered to local drops) — https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=2be6b9010a Carol Little, R.H. — Studio Botanica, on goldenrod — https://www.studiobotanica.com/gorgeous-goldenrod-health-benefits/ The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson — https://www.urbanfarm.org/blog/podcast/ The Mamapreneur Podcast with Robbin Kelton — live August 28, 2026 — https://mamapreneurpodcast.com/ · https://www.youtube.com/@mamapreneurpodcast Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder by Nassim Nicholas Taleb — where the term comes from The Joyfully Prepared Library (now buy-once, yours to keep) — https://learn.joyfullyprepared.com/library Earlier episode: Skill Stacking — Earlier episode: the original transformation journal episode — National Center for Home Food Preservation — tested recipes for anything you're canning — https://nchfp.uga.edu/ Work with Wendi (Florida real estate) — https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/ All episodes — https://joyfullyprepared.com/podcast/ Contact — https://joyfullyprepared.com/contact-me/ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/ Come find me If you don't keep a journal yet, don't buy anything. Grab whatever notebook is already in the drawer and write down three wins tonight. That's the whole assignment. And then tell me what you're becoming — I really do want to know. https://joyfullyprepared.com/contact-me/ If this one landed, send it to the friend who does more in a week than anyone you know and still says she "hasn't really gotten around to anything."

Nobody puts a picture of the barn in the listing and says, "We're not completely sure what's holding this thing up." Buying a homestead is a lot like dating — and today we're playing Would you date this homestead? We're past the basics. You know your price, your location, your acreage. This is what happens after the property catches your eye: what the listing photos aren't showing you, what to look for when you finally walk the land, the deed restriction that nearly cost us the property we loved, and the plumbing problem hiding under our slab that no inspection caught. I'm Wendi Bergin — Realtor, homesteader, and someone who has crossed a beautiful property off her own list more than once. Preparedness brings peace, not fear. That applies to buying land too. Chapters 00:00 — Falling in love with a listing before you've seen the barn 00:45 — Why buying a homestead is a lot like dating 01:05 — Welcome to Would you date this homestead? 01:20 — The dating profile: what the listing photos are not showing you 01:55 — Decoding listing language: "rustic," "peaceful country living" 02:20 — The Polk County drive-by, and the water we found 02:55 — Not in a flood zone yet: how new construction changes that 03:40 — The property that was 30 minutes from church, and why I crossed it off 04:25 — "Plenty of room for animals" doesn't mean you're allowed to have them 04:50 — The real question: the property, or the life you're imagining in it? 05:05 — First date: get out of the kitchen and walk the land 05:35 — Would that fence actually hold the animals you want? 06:00 — Why we tore out every fence on our property 06:15 — Outbuildings: is there water and power to the barn? 06:40 — The pig waterer I didn't know existed 07:20 — Pipes running there isn't the same as water that works 07:50 — Stand still and listen: traffic, dogs, shooting ranges, smells 08:30 — Distance matters: barn to house, feed, groceries 08:55 — Why our goats may never make it to the barn 09:25 — The one nobody asks: what will chores be like in the rain? 09:45 — The coughing goat, the nice sandals, and church 10:30 — What a good agent is actually there to do 11:05 — "Would I still want to live there on a tired Tuesday?" 11:40 — Meet the family: zoning, deed restrictions, and yes, HOAs 12:20 — Five acres each, horses allowed, goats not 13:05 — "It takes one person to pull up those deed restrictions" 13:50 — What I screened for: ag zoning, no HOA, flood zone 14:25 — Easements, insurance requirements, and animal rules 14:50 — Why we couldn't raise pigs in New Jersey 15:20 — Can you sell eggs? Park an RV? Run a business? Build a barn? 15:45 — Go deeper: episode 207 on buying land 16:05 — Well or city water, septic, who maintains the road, internet 16:40 — Calling the county until you get a real answer 17:25 — The baggage: every property has history 17:55 — Inspection questions worth asking out loud 18:50 — When the vines are doing most of the work holding up the fence 19:10 — None of this automatically means walk away 19:45 — Red flags don't turn green because the farmhouse sink is pretty 20:10 — Slab houses, buried plumbing, and what we didn't know 21:00 — Jackhammering up the half bath 21:40 — Relationship material: can you afford the house and the work? 22:35 — Land care in New Jersey vs. Florida, honestly 23:35 — What will you have to give up to own it? 24:20 — Maybe you need two acres, not five 24:50 — There is no perfect property 25:30 — Marry it, or thank it for a lovely afternoon 26:00 — What I actually want to know before I show you anything 26:40 — Buying outside Florida? I'll help you interview an agent A few things worth writing down The listing tells you whether you want a first date. It's not enough to decide whether you want to marry it. Fencing, outbuildings, water, and power are separate questions. Pipes to the stall don't mean working water; a barn can have water and no electricity. Stand still on the property for a full minute. Photos can't carry traffic noise, barking dogs, a shooting range, or the smell from the neighbor's operation. "Plenty of room for animals" and "legally allowed to have animals" are two entirely different things. Check zoning, deed restrictions, and HOA documents yourself — even on large acreage. Inspections don't catch everything. Ours didn't catch the plumbing under the slab, because nobody had lived in the house for three years. The question isn't whether the property has baggage. It does. The question is whether it's baggage you can afford, manage, and live with. Links Episode 207 — Three Things to Know Before Buying Land for a Homestead  Work with Wendi (Florida real estate) — https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/ Contact — https://joyfullyprepared.com/contact-me/ All episodes — https://joyfullyprepared.com/podcast/ FEMA Flood Map Service Center — check any property's flood zone — https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home Come find me If you're thinking about buying a homestead here in Florida, I would love to help you. If you're buying somewhere else, I can still help you interview an agent in your area who knows that "room for chickens" is not enough information. Reach out before you commit to that charming farmhouse with the questionable fence — https://joyfullyprepared.com/contact-me/ And if this one was useful, send it to the friend who's been sending you Zillow listings at eleven at night.   🏡 Website: joyfullyprepared.com 📚 Joyfully Prepared Library: joyfullypreparedlibrary.com 🗓️ Meal Planning Worksheet: joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning 🏠 Joyfully Prepared Realtor: joyfullyprepared.com/realestate 📸 Instagram: @joyfulprepper 👩‍🌾 Facebook Group: joyfulprepgroup.com 🏡Real Estate: https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/

Greg Peterson says the only place that lack lives is between our ears — and if you've ever stood in your kitchen staring at 50 pounds of tomatoes, you know he's right. We talk about what to do with all of it. Greg hosts The Urban Farm Podcast (he just passed episode 1,000), and this one runs on both our feeds. We get into the harvest mindset, the one mistake that turns abundance into panic, and a long list of ways to put tomatoes, zucchini, and basil up for winter — including a few I'd never tried until this year. If you're new here: I'm Wendi Bergin, and I believe preparedness brings peace. Not fear. Peace. Chapters 00:00 — Welcome, and why we recorded this for both our audiences 01:20 — "The only place lack lives is between our ears" 02:10 — 40 tomato plants, worm composting, and volunteer tomatoes everywhere 03:30 — Seed starting and seed saving: what a grex is and why you'd want one 04:45 — Wendi's confession: she won't eat a fresh tomato 06:15 — The biggest mistake people make when harvest season starts 07:20 — Freeze first, can later — handling the early trickle 08:15 — Jars, lids, and buying in bulk before you're desperate 10:10 — Pint or quart? Wide mouth or regular? 11:30 — Why Wendi stopped canning seasoned sauce and cans it plain 13:40 — Why tomatoes need added lemon juice now 14:10 — Water bath vs. pressure canning, explained simply 16:00 — Tested recipes, rebel canning, and "when in doubt, throw it out" 19:30 — Bone broth and canning elderberry juice 21:10 — Fixing watery salsa, and the steam juicer trick 22:30 — Freezing tomatoes to release the water 23:40 — Don't throw out tomato water: stews, chili, and cooking pasta in it 25:10 — Roasted tomato sauce, skins on 26:00 — The two separate steps of canning: the recipe and the preserving 26:50 — Azure Standard, and what a bulk buying club actually is 29:00 — Freshly milled grain, Sue Becker, and the sourdough question 31:45 — Grain mills: NutriMill, WonderMill, MockMill 34:00 — Tomato powder and everything you can do with it 36:00 — Too much zucchini: relish, pickles, fritters, mock pineapple 39:00 — Zucchini lasagna with no pasta at all 40:20 — Preparedness brings peace 43:20 — Basil: pesto, basil salt, basil sugar 44:30 — Greg's 1,000 episodes and where to find us both A few things worth writing down The number one harvest-season mistake is walking in unprepared. Count your jars and your lids before the tomatoes come in. Today's tomatoes are less acidic than the ones our mothers canned. Added lemon juice is what makes water bath canning safe for them. Water bath handles high-acid foods — fruits, pickles, relishes, jams, acidified tomatoes. Pressure canning is required for meats and vegetables. Canning plain and seasoning later is simpler, safer, and more versatile. The canning process can throw off the flavor of herbs and spices. Follow tested recipes. USDA guidelines, the Ball Blue Book, your canner's manual. When in doubt, throw it out — the jar is worth more than the beans. Links Greg Peterson, The Urban Farm Podcast — https://www.urbanfarm.org Azure Standard — https://www.azurestandard.com Bread Beckers (Sue Becker) — https://amzn.to/4wXJ7cM Ball Blue Book of Preserving - https://amzn.to/4whgqpW USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning — https://nchfp.uga.edu Bill McDorman — seed saving, monthly seed chat on The Urban Farm Podcast Come find me Homesteading Made Simple / Joyfully Prepared — wherever you listen, and now on YouTube.  If this one helped, share it with the friend whose counter is currently buried in zucchini.   Joyfully Prepared Library -https://www.joyfullypreparedlibrary.com Meal Planning Worksheet - https://joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning Joyfully Prepared Realtor - https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/ Website - https://joyfullyprepared.com Instagram - https://instagram.com/joyfulprepper Facebook - https://www.joyfulprepgroup.com

Some days the news is too much. The food industry is working against us, the wars won't stop, the education system is a mess, and there's a phone in your pocket demanding you pay attention to all of it. You can't fix any of that today. But you can create peace, calm, and rest inside your own home — and that starts with you. Wendi's friend Carol was her cheerleader through years of raising seven kids and homeschooling them. On the days Wendi called crying that she was a horrible mother, Carol told her the truth: you're doing a great job. Even on the day she sat on the couch and did nothing, Carol said, "I think that was your best today." This episode is Wendi being your Carol. In this episode: Why you're doing a better job than the voice in your head is telling you What it means that women are mothers whether or not they've borne a child Isaiah 55:8–9 and what "higher thoughts" actually asks of us Why the comfort zone is comfortable — and how to think your way out of it anyway Wendi's quilting breakthrough, and the moment a skill becomes an identity Heading into a new school year without losing yourself in it Where the ten minutes of peace are hiding (hint: check your scroll time) A short, honest rant about processed food, white flour, and the Industrial Revolution Thinking and behaving like your future self — starting today Why keeping a journal is how you notice your prayers being answered "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." — Isaiah 55:8–9 Mentioned in this episode: Be Your Future Self Now by Dr. Benjamin Hardy —  The April episode with Judith Horvath, on how the food industry hired scientists away from the tobacco industry — The Truth About Your Food  The March episode on rising food prices and getting prepared — Stop Assuming Someone Else Will Be Prepared   🏡 Website: joyfullyprepared.com 📚 Joyfully Prepared Library: joyfullypreparedlibrary.com 🗓️ Meal Planning Worksheet: joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning 🏠 Joyfully Prepared Realtor: joyfullyprepared.com/realestate 📸 Instagram: @joyfulprepper 👩‍🌾 Facebook Group: joyfulprepgroup.com 🏡Real Estate: https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/

Welcome to BeanTok! Apparently, the internet has finally discovered what homesteaders and prepared families have known for years—beans are pretty amazing. In this episode, we're separating the hype from the helpful, exploring why beans are suddenly trending on TikTok, and talking about how one inexpensive pantry staple can improve your health, simplify meal planning, and save money on groceries. Today's Joyfully Prepared Takeaways Discover why #BeanTok has millions of people talking about beans. Learn Wendi's simple method for cooking a week's worth of dried beans in the Instant Pot. Understand what really causes bean gas—and why it's often a combination of bean preparation and allowing your gut time to adjust. Learn how soaking and pressure cooking improve digestion and help your body absorb more nutrients. Find out why Wendi started adding cannellini beans to her morning protein shake—and why she isn't stopping anytime soon. Compare the true cost of dried beans versus canned beans and see how small changes can save your family money over time. Discover easy ways to use cooked beans in tacos, soups, salads, dips, breakfasts, smoothies, and freezer meals. Learn how replacing part of the meat in your favorite recipes can stretch your grocery budget without sacrificing flavor. Be inspired to rediscover one of the most affordable, nutritious, and versatile foods already sitting in your pantry. This Week's Joyfully Prepared Challenge Cook one pound of dried beans. Use them in at least two different meals this week. If you're feeling adventurous, blend a few cannellini beans into your morning protein shake—you just might surprise yourself! Resources Mentioned Beans & Beyond: Cooking for Preparedness & Everyday Meals (Digital Bean Guide) Search #BeanTok on TikTok for recipe ideas and inspiration. Try recipes like bean salads, soups, tacos, dips, and the viral Marry Me Beans. Remember, preparedness doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes it begins with something as simple as learning to use what's already in your pantry. 🏡 Website: joyfullyprepared.com 📚 Joyfully Prepared Library: joyfullypreparedlibrary.com 🗓️ Meal Planning Worksheet: joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning 🏠 Joyfully Prepared Realtor: joyfullyprepared.com/realestate 📸 Instagram: @joyfulprepper 👩‍🌾 Facebook Group: joyfulprepgroup.com 🏡Real Estate: https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/

Ever feel like everyone else has a beautiful planner and a color-coded freezer inventory while you're just... remembering things? A Facebook question about staying organized turned into something better: proof that there are four completely different ways to run a homestead, and all of them work. Find out which kind of homestead manager you are — and why your natural wiring is the strength you should be building on, not fighting. What you'll learn The four homestead management styles — and why they only look like disagreement. Why beginners assume experienced homesteaders remember everything (and what's really going on). The difference between habits, routines, delegation, and automation — and which tasks deserve which. How to stop borrowing someone else's system and build one that works with your strengths. Why watching how other people do it is the fastest shortcut in homesteading. The 4 homestead manager types 🧠 The Memory Manager — it's all in your head. You just know when the flour's low and the chicken feed's almost out. Occasionally you run out of butter. 🎨 The Visual Manager — if you can't see it, it doesn't exist. Whiteboards, sticky notes, freezer inventories, and a very pretty journal. 📊 The Planner — spreadsheets, calendars, inventory sheets. You know exactly how many jars of green beans you canned and how long they'll last. 🔄 The Rhythm Manager — Sunday is bread day, Monday is sheets. The routine remembers so you don't have to. Most of us are a little bit of several. Play to your strength Memory Manager: lean into routines and habits, and use one simple catch-all — a whiteboard or a phone note — for the unusual stuff. Visual Manager: don't fight it. Whiteboards, lists, and inventories on the wall are a strength, not a crutch. Planner: keep planning. Your systems keep you ahead instead of catching up. Rhythm Manager: keep building routines. When a task always lands on the same day, you never spend energy deciding when to do it. Timestamps 00:00 — The Facebook question that started it all 01:00 — Welcome to Joyfully Prepared 02:00 — Type 1: The Memory Manager (and the dish detergent story) 03:30 — Running out of butter during the lockdowns 05:00 — Type 2: The Visual Manager 06:00 — Type 3: The Planner (spreadsheet people, we love you) 08:00 — Type 4: The Rhythm Manager 10:00 — The systems Wendi didn't realize she had 13:00 — Flying banners over UVA: learning a better way from someone else 14:00 — The goat farm water bucket tweak 15:00 — Why nobody in that comment thread had the same answer 16:00 — Preparedness isn't perfection. Preparedness is peace. 16:45 — This week's challenge 18:30 — Free download: the Food Storage Meal Planning System   🏡 Website: joyfullyprepared.com 📚 Joyfully Prepared Library: joyfullypreparedlibrary.com 🗓️ Meal Planning Worksheet: joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning 🏠 Joyfully Prepared Realtor: joyfullyprepared.com/realestate 📸 Instagram: @joyfulprepper 👩‍🌾 Facebook Group: joyfulprepgroup.com 🏡Real Estate: https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/

In this episode you'll learn: Why there isn't one "perfect" emergency food The three layers of a practical food storage system When no-cook meals make the most sense The pros and cons of freeze-dried emergency meals How everyday pantry foods fit into emergency preparedness Why food fatigue is a real concern during emergencies How comfort foods can reduce stress during difficult situations Why children and older adults may struggle with unfamiliar emergency foods How to test freeze-dried meals before investing in long-term food storage Simple ways to build a food storage plan that matches your family's needs This Week's Challenge Buy one freeze-dried meal and taste-test it with your family. Decide together whether it's something you would actually want to eat during an emergency. Then take a look at your pantry and see if you're building all three layers of preparedness. Remember: Preparedness isn't about buying everything. It's about making thoughtful decisions that bring peace. 🏡 Website: joyfullyprepared.com 📚 Joyfully Prepared Library: joyfullypreparedlibrary.com 🗓️ Meal Planning Worksheet: joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning 🏠 Joyfully Prepared Realtor: joyfullyprepared.com/realestate 📸 Instagram: @joyfulprepper 👩‍🌾 Facebook Group: joyfulprepgroup.com 🏡Real Estate: https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/

Have you ever bought something because everyone else said you needed it? This week, Wendi shares the surprising lessons from a heated Facebook discussion asking, "What's the biggest waste of money on a homestead?" While the original answer was raised garden beds, the comments revealed something much deeper: every homestead is different, and wise decisions depend on your unique circumstances. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the real question isn't "Is it worth it?" but "Is it worth it for me?" How to identify the problem you're actually trying to solve before making a purchase. Why your time and physical energy are valuable resources. How to think beyond the purchase price and consider long-term costs. Practical ways to use creativity and resourcefulness before spending money. Why your climate, soil, property, and season of life should influence every homestead decision. The importance of making room for beauty and joy, even when something doesn't produce a financial return. Whether you have a suburban backyard, a few acres, or a working farm, this episode will help you make thoughtful, intentional decisions that fit your family and your goals. Remember: Preparedness isn't about buying what everyone else buys. It's about making thoughtful decisions that bring peace to your life. 🏡 Website: joyfullyprepared.com 📚 Joyfully Prepared Library: joyfullypreparedlibrary.com 🗓️ Meal Planning Worksheet: joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning 🏠 Joyfully Prepared Realtor: joyfullyprepared.com/realestate 📸 Instagram: @joyfulprepper 👩‍🌾 Facebook Group: joyfulprepgroup.com 🏡Real Estate: https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/