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Winter is coming, and we're rethinking some of the ways we do things on our homestead! As we transition from fall into winter here in North Idaho, we're looking at everything from livestock and food storage to daily chores and what it really means to become more self-sufficient. Whether you're new to homesteading or you've been doing this for years, we hope this conversation encourages you to rethink your priorities and embrace the season you're in. What's one thing you're rethinking or doing differently on your homestead this winter? Are you simplifying your livestock setup, changing how you preserve food, or finding new ways to become more self-sufficient? Let us know in the comments! We'd love to hear what you're learning. 🌿 THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR: FARMHOUSE TEAS We're thankful to have Farmhouse Teas sponsoring today's episode! We love their herbal teas, including their Not Coffee blends and the custom Plum Tuckered Out tea. This year, we're especially excited about their elderberry syrup mix, which makes preparing homemade elderberry syrup so much easier when there isn't time to forage for elderberries or measure out individual herbs. Shop all my favorites here and use coupon code "CAROLYN10" for 10% off your order (one-time use): https://www.farmhouseteas.com/carolyn #WinterHomesteading #HomesteadingFamily #SelfSufficiency #EverydayHomesteading #homesteadlife  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MORE ABOUT US! WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us! Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!! Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

In this episode, I’m sharing a very personal update on my health journey and what I’ve learned along the way. What started as frustration over stubborn weight eventually led to deeper testing, toxin exposure, high insulin levels, leptin resistance, thyroid concerns, and a whole lot of questions. The good news is that I’m seeing real progress. My insulin numbers are coming down, I’ve lost weight, my energy is better, my brain fog is gone, I’m sleeping better, and I’m getting stronger. This journey hasn’t been simple or linear, but I hope sharing it encourages you to keep asking questions, pay attention to what your body is telling you, and keep moving toward better health. In this episode, I’m talking about: - What my lab work revealed - My experience with toxin testing and detoxification - How my insulin levels changed - What I’ve been doing to improve my metabolic health - The diet, herbs, movement, sleep, and lifestyle changes I’ve focused on - Why strength training is now part of my routine - What I’ve learned from discouraging lab results - Why I’m choosing to keep walking toward better health For more information, visit the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/how-im-reversing-prediabetes/ RELATED RESOURCES: - Our Toxin Journey: https://homesteadingfamily.com/our-journey-with-glyphosate-toxicity/ - Toxins are Making You Sick - Herbal Cleansing Detox: https://homesteadingfamily.com/herbal-cleansing-detox/ - Common Household Toxins: https://homesteadingfamily.com/common-toxins/ - Work with Dr. Torrie Thompson: https://homesteadingfamily.com/toxin-testing - At-home insulin/metabolic health kit: https://zivli.com/testing  Thanks to American Blossom Linens for sponsoring this podcast. If you're ready to layer on some cozy bedding for those chilly fall nights, be sure to check them out and use coupon code HOMESTEADINGFAMILY2026 for 15% off your purchase: https://homesteadingfamily.com/ABL Important: This episode shares my personal health experience and is not medical advice. Please work with a qualified healthcare professional when making decisions about your own health, medications, supplements, or treatment. Time Stamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:08 - American Blossom Linens 4:01 - Main Topic ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MORE ABOUT US! WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us! Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!! Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

What do high gas prices have to do with free potatoes? More than you might think! When everyday expenses keep climbing, it’s easy to feel like there’s very little we can do about it. But Josh and I have found that growing food, cooking from scratch, and choosing our homestead projects carefully can help us take back a little control. In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, we’re sharing the story of a $2,000 garden investment we made when money was tight, why we call this year’s potatoes “free,” and how we decide which projects are worth our time and money. And while Josh would start with the garden, I think there’s an important first step right in your kitchen! You don’t need a big property or an established homestead to begin. I hope this conversation encourages you to choose one practical step that serves your family today and helps you provide more for them in the years ahead. For more information and any links mentioned, visit the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/high-gas-prices-and-free-potatoes Time Stamps: 0:00 - Introduction 0:45 - Chit Chat 7:34 - Grand Teton Ancient Grains 10:11 - Main Topic Thanks to Grand Teton Ancient Grains for sponsoring this podcast. If you'd like to check them out and get a discount, use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY" for 10% off your order: https://homesteadingfamily.com/ancientgrains  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MORE ABOUT US! WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us! Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!! Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

In Part 3 of our Soil Series, I’m diving into soil organic matter and why it’s one of the most important pieces of healthy, productive soil. We’ll look at what organic matter actually is, how it feeds soil biology, improves water retention and soil structure, and the practical ways you can build more of it with compost, mulch, cover crops and less tillage. For more information, read the full blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/soil-organic-matter/ - Thanks to the School of Traditional Skills for sponsoring this episode! Their free Traditional Skills Summit is one of our favorite opportunities to learn from experienced homesteaders and traditional-skills instructors. Register for FREE here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/sts-summit Time Stamps: 0:00 - Introduction 0:53 - Traditional Skills Summit 3:27 - Main Topic ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MORE ABOUT US! WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us! Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!! Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

If you’re trying to feed your family better-quality meat, it can be hard to know what all the labels really mean. Grass-fed, grass-finished, pasture-raised, organic... and once you bring that meat home, does it need to be cooked differently? In this episode, Josh and I are talking about the meat we eat here on our homestead and why the way an animal is raised and fed matters so much to us. We’ll explain the difference between grass-fed and grass-finished beef, what pasture-raised really means for chickens and pigs, and how you can start sourcing better meat without feeling like you have to make the jump to “perfect” overnight. Then we’re taking the conversation into the kitchen. I’ll share a simple way to think about different cuts of meat so you know whether to cook them hot and fast or low and slow. Once you understand whether you’re working with a tender or hardworking cut, cooking meat becomes much less complicated. We also talk about buying meat directly from local farmers, purchasing beef or pork in bulk, and why pasture-raised meat can have more variation in flavor and texture than what you may be used to from the grocery store. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s simply to take the next step toward better food for your family. Time Stamps: 0:00 - Introduction & Chit Chat 5:30 - Grand Teton Ancient Grains 9:14 - Main Topic 👉 Watch our podcast all about meat terminology and how to know what you're buying here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUB9x7QeoFM 🌻 Keep your eyes on School of Traditional Skills for the upcoming class with the Doughertys on feeding your animals from your homestead: https://homesteadingfamily.com/STS_Member_n 🌾 Thanks to Grand Teton Ancient Grains for sponsoring this podcast. Be sure to check out all their regeneratively grown grain and get 10% off your order with coupon code "homesteadingfamily" now through October 2026: https://homesteadingfamily.com/ancientgrains #EverydayHomesteading #GrassFedBeef #GrassFinishedBeef #PastureRaised #HomesteadingFamily #podcast #homesteadingpodcast ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MORE ABOUT US! WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us! Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!! Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

Self-care isn’t about escaping your responsibilities. It’s about caring for your body, mind, and soul so you can show up well for your family. In this episode, I share what self-care looks like in my own life, including my morning routine, health habits, and why true self-care should actually move you toward greater health. You can watch and read more at the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/self-care-for-moms/ TIME STAMPS: 0:00 - Introduction 1:04 - American Blossom Linens 4:49 - Main Topic Thanks to American Blossom Linens for sponsoring this podcast. If you want to grab yourself some high-quality sheets that will last (and save some money doing so), be sure to use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY2026" for 15% off your order. Check out all they have to offer here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/americanblossomlinens ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MORE ABOUT US! WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us! Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!! Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

By late summer, the garden can start to feel a little wild. The weeds are growing fast, the harvest is piling up, watering needs are changing, and life outside the garden is getting busier, too. So what actually needs your attention right now, and what can you let go? In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, we’re talking through our top priorities for the late summer garden. We’ll cover why harvesting should come first, how to adjust your watering as the season changes, what to do with bare garden beds, when to plant fall crops or cover crops, and how to keep weeds from creating more work next year. We also talk about something that’s just as important: learning to recognize when good enough really is good enough. You don’t need a perfectly tidy garden to have a successful season. Plus, we’re sharing what’s happening around our homestead right now, from preserving green beans and sauerkraut to fall pasture management, meat chickens, and preparing for the colder months ahead. LINKS MENTIONED: * Traditional Skills Academy Curriculum: https://traditionalskillsacademy.com/ * Thanks to Azure Standard for sponsoring this podcast. If you're new to Azure Standard, be sure to check them out and use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY15" for 15% off your first order of $100 or more (delivered to a drop location): https://homesteadingfamily.com/azurestandard * Grab a pre-order copy of David Stelzer's new book, Seeds of Hope here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/seedsofhope * Check out the accompanying blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/late-summer-garden-care/ Whether your garden is still producing heavily or you’re starting to transition toward fall, we hope this episode helps you focus on the things that matter most and finish the gardening season well. What does your late summer garden look like right now? Let us know in the comments! TIME STAMPS: 0:00 - Introduction 1:17 - Chit Chat 9:55 - Traditional Skills Academy 11:10 - Azure Standard 14:06 - Main Topic #Gardening #VegetableGarden #LateSummerGarden #FallGarden #GardenTips  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MORE ABOUT US! WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us! Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!! Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

Healthy soil requires more than nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In Part 2 of our soil health series, we're taking a deeper look at the essential minerals plants need to grow strong, resist stress and produce truly nutrient-dense food. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🪨 The difference between macronutrients and micronutrients 🌱 How nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur support plant growth 🔍 Common signs of mineral deficiencies 🧪 Why soil pH and biology affect nutrient availability ♻️ Natural ways to restore minerals using compost, cover crops and targeted amendments ⚠️ Why you should test your soil before adding lime, gypsum, wood ash or other minerals Healthy soil does much of the heavy lifting for you. When minerals, organic matter, oxygen, water and soil biology work together, you can grow healthier plants and more nourishing food. Read the full blog post: 👉 https://homesteadingfamily.com/soil-minerals/ Catch up on Part 1 of the soil series: 👉 https://homesteadingfamily.com/healthy-soil-starts-here/ A special thanks to Grand Teton Ancient Grains for sponsoring this episode! Grand Teton Ancient Grains grows pure, unhybridized grains on a regenerative farm where soil health is a priority. Choose from spelt, khorasan, emmer and rye, all grown, tested and carefully protected from contamination from the field to the mill. Shop Grand Teton Ancient Grains and use coupon code HOMESTEADINGFAMILY for 10% off your order: 👉 https://homesteadingfamily.com/ancientgrains ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MORE ABOUT US! WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us! Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!! Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

Some of the best homemaking advice isn't new at all. Over the years, I've learned a lot from old household manuals, historical books and the way generations before us managed their homes. While I certainly love my modern conveniences, there are some old-fashioned practices that still make our household and homestead run so much more smoothly. In this episode, I'm sharing six that I still use today, including: 🏡 Giving each day of the week a purpose 🥕 Shopping the garden and pantry before the grocery store 🍽️ Why we serve meals family style 📅 Preparing tomorrow's needs today 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Teaching children to share in the work ✨ Ending the day with a simple house reset These aren't about creating a rigid schedule or keeping a perfectly clean home. They're simple rhythms that reduce decision fatigue, help everyone contribute and actually give our family more freedom. Read the full blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/how-i-manage-our-home-household-management-series/ What old-fashioned homemaking practice do you still use in your home? Time Stamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:54 - American Blossom Linens 5:25 - Main Topic Thanks to American Blossom Linens for sponsoring this podcast episode! Be sure to check out all their offerings, and use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY2026" for 15% off your purchase: https://homesteadingfamily.com/s-american-blossom-linens ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MORE ABOUT US! WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us! Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!! Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

Preserving season can be incredibly rewarding, but when the garden is producing faster than you can keep up, it can also become overwhelming fast! Over the years, we've learned plenty of lessons the hard way about what makes harvest and food preservation season easier... and what makes it much harder than it needs to be. In this episode, we're sharing some of the biggest food preservation mistakes we've made and the practical habits that now help us manage the abundance without burning ourselves out. We'll talk about why you shouldn't wait until the produce piles up, how to choose the best preservation method for each food, preparing ahead for a preserving day, and why we always think about dinner before we start! We also discuss something that's easy to overlook: whether you're preserving food your family will actually eat and whether doing it yourself is truly saving you money. Whether you're putting up a few jars from the garden or preserving a year's worth of food, we hope these lessons make your harvest season a little easier. Check out the blog post for more information and any details mentioned: https://homesteadingfamily.com/tips-for-a-busy-preservation-day/ Links Mentioned: - School of Traditional Skills Annual FREE Summit: Keep an eye out in future podcast episodes for a link to sign up for the free summit! We'll share it as soon as sign-ups are open! - Homestead Kitchen Magazine: https://homesteadingfamily.com/magazine - Carla Emery's Encyclopedia of Country Living: https://amzn.to/4fXywal Time Stamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:30 - Chit Chat 8:42 - Homestead Kitchen Magazine 10:21 - Main Topic ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MORE ABOUT US! WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us! Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!! Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

Homesteading and homemaking are often treated as two separate pursuits, but what if they were never meant to be? In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, I'm sharing why I believe homemaking is the true foundation of homesteading. From growing food and preserving the harvest to preparing meals and caring for my family, it's all part of the same purpose: creating a home that reflects our values and nurtures the people we love. If you've ever felt like you're trying to "balance" homemaking and homesteading, I hope this conversation encourages you to see them in a whole new light. 📖 Read the companion blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/why-homemaking-is-the-foundation-of-homesteading/ I'd love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and tell me: What has homemaking or homesteading been teaching you in this season? 🌿 Thanks to American Blossom Linens for sponsoring this episode! I love American Blossom Linens because their sheets are made from 100% USA-grown cotton, crafted entirely in the USA, and built to last for years to come. Visit American Blossom Linens  and use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY2026" to save 15% on your order: https://homesteadingfamily.com/s-american-blossom-linens I'd love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and tell me: What has homemaking or homesteading been teaching you in this season? Time Stamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:49 - American Blossom Linens 4:51 - Main Topic ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MORE ABOUT US! WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us! Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!! Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

Have you ever walked into your garden and felt completely overwhelmed? You're not alone! Every gardener reaches a point where the weeds seem to multiply overnight, the harvest starts piling up, and it feels like there's never enough time to keep up. In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, we're sharing the practical routines, mindset shifts, and garden systems that have helped our family grow and preserve most of our food without burning out. From daily garden walks and harvesting routines to choosing your battles and letting go of perfection, these simple habits can help you enjoy your garden again. In this episode, we discuss: 🌱 Why every garden has a "messy middle" 🌱 How 20–30 minutes a day can transform your garden 🌱 The difference between daily tasks and weekly project days 🌱 Harvesting strategies that prevent overwhelm 🌱 When it's time to let a struggling crop go 🌱 Why observation is one of the most valuable gardening skills 🌱 Creating systems that make gardening easier every year Helpful Resources: 🌿 Avoid Garden Overwhelm: https://homesteadingfamily.com/avoiding-garden-overwhelm/ 🌿 How to Keep Weeds Out of the Garden: https://homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-keep-weeds-out-of-garden/ 💧 Best Time to Water Your Garden: https://homesteadingfamily.com/best-time-to-water-garden/ 🌱 No-Till Gardening: https://homesteadingfamily.com/is-no-till-gardening-right-for-you/ 🌱 Lasagna Gardening: https://homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-use-the-lasagna-gardening-method-or-layering-method/ 🛒 Thanks to Azure Standard for sponsoring this video. Save 15% on your first Azure Standard order of $100+ with coupon code HOMESTEADINGFAMILY15 (orders sent to a drop location only): https://homesteadingfamily.com/azure-standard-yt Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 02:00 – Chit Chat 10:14 – Azure Products We Buy 13:40 – Main Topic If this episode encouraged you, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who's feeling overwhelmed by their garden this season. Growing food doesn't require perfection—just simple systems and steady progress. #gardening #vegetablegarden #gardentips #homesteading #gardenmaintenance #growyourownfood  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MORE ABOUT US! WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us! Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!! Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

Healthy soil doesn't happen by accident. It starts with protecting the living ecosystem beneath your feet. In this first teaching episode of my Soil Health series, I'm sharing why keeping your soil chemical-free is the foundation for everything else we'll cover. Whether you're growing vegetables, fruit trees, flowers, or pasture, the health of your soil determines the health of your plants. We'll look at how herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and synthetic fertilizers affect the beneficial biology living in your soil and why quick fixes often create bigger problems over time. I'll also explain how healthy soil naturally becomes more resilient, helping your plants better withstand pests, disease, and drought. If you've ever struggled with weak plants, poor harvests, or garden problems that seem to come back year after year, this episode will help you understand why the solution starts below the surface. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why a chemical-free foundation is the first step to healthy soil • How common garden chemicals impact beneficial soil life • Why healthy soil is a living ecosystem, not just dirt • Simple steps you can take to begin restoring your soil naturally This is Part 1 of my Soil Health series, so if you're ready to grow healthier, more nutrient-dense food while working with nature instead of against it, you're in the right place. For the companion blog post, visit: https://homesteadingfamily.com/healthy-soil-starts-here/ And if you missed the introduction to the series, you can catch that here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-improve-soil-quality/ Thanks for listening to Everyday Homesteading. I'll see you in the next episode as we explore the next building block of healthy soil: minerals. Thanks to Homestead Kitchen magazine for sponsoring this podcast. Grab your copy of this monthly print magazine here and start enjoying homesteading knowledge, tips and recipes in the palm of your hands: https://homesteadingfamily.com/in-the-homestead-kitchen-yt Time Stamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:12 - Homestead Kitchen Magazine 3:22 - Main Topic ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MORE ABOUT US! WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us! Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!! Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

Have you ever stopped to consider that caring for the land isn't just a homesteading skill, but part of our Christian calling? In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, I'm joined by Brendan McClenahan from Plant With Purpose and the TEND Initiative to explore what the Bible says about stewardship, creation, and why growing food can deepen our faith. For many Christians, conversations about caring for the earth have become complicated. But long before environmental movements existed, God gave humanity the responsibility to cultivate and care for His creation. Together, Brendan and I discuss how homesteading, gardening, and working the land aren't separate from our faith. They're one of the ways we live it out. We also talk about why true self-sufficiency is a myth, how community has always been part of God's design, and practical ways churches and families can reconnect with creation through simple acts like gardening, composting, and supporting local farmers. If you've ever wondered how your faith and your homestead fit together, I think this conversation will encourage you. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔ What the Bible says about stewarding God's creation ✔ Why Christians shouldn't avoid conversations about creation care ✔ How gardening and homesteading can strengthen your faith ✔ Why self-sufficiency isn't God's design for His people ✔ Practical ways to build community through caring for the land Time Stamps: 0:00 – Introduction 2:21 – Homestead Kitchen Magazine 4:25 – Main Topic Resources Mentioned: 📖 Read the companion blog post: https://homesteadingfamily.com/biblical-stewardship-of-the-land/ 🌱 Learn more about the TEND Initiative: https://tendlife.org 📰 Subscribe to Homestead Kitchen Magazine: https://homesteadingfamily.com/in-the-homestead-kitchen-yt If this episode encouraged you, I'd love it if you'd subscribe, leave a comment, and share it with someone who has a heart for growing food, stewarding God's creation, and building a resilient home. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MORE ABOUT US! WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us! Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!! Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

Have you ever finished a canning session only to discover one or more jars didn't seal? It happens to every home canner at some point, and even after more than 20 years of canning and preserving food for my family, I still have an occasional seal failure. In this video, I'm sharing the most common reasons canning jars don't seal, how to troubleshoot failed seals, and what you should do if you find an unsealed jar. We'll also cover simple habits that can help you prevent seal failures in future canning sessions so you can preserve your harvest with more confidence. In this video you'll learn: ✔ The most common reasons canning jars don't seal ✔ How to tell if a jar has sealed properly ✔ How headspace, siphoning, and dirty rims affect your seal ✔ Why overtightening bands can cause problems ✔ What to do if a jar doesn't seal within 24 hours ✔ When it's safe to refrigerate, freeze, or reprocess your food ✔ Why I always remove screw bands before storing my jars For even more troubleshooting tips, read the companion blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/why-didnt-my-canning-jars-seal/ Time Stamps: 0:00 – Introduction 1:22 – American Blossom Linens 3:39 – Why Canning Jars Don't Seal This episode is sponsored by American Blossom Linens. Josh and I love investing in quality products that are made to last, and American Blossom Linens fits that philosophy perfectly. Their sheets, towels, blankets, and pillows are all made in the USA from high-quality cotton and backed by a two-year return policy. Use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY2026" to save 15% on your order here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/s-american-blossom-linens/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MORE ABOUT US! WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us! Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!! Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.