Just like we prepare for many other things around the homestead, preparing for a new baby is no different. It takes forethought and planning to help with the smooth transition when adding a new family member. Not only that, but it's important to have plans in place to allow both mom and baby the appropriate and healthy amount of time to recuperate and recover after delivery. For more links and additional information, check out the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/preparing-fo...
Today's Pantry Chat we're chatting with Mary from @MarysNest about learning lessons from those who went through the Great Depression, how these lessons are still applicable today, and tips for implementing more traditional skills into our every day life. For more information, visit the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/cooking-from-home-when-times-get-hard/ Be sure to check out Mary's Nest on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@MarysNest/featured ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MOR...
We’re all busy and have a lot on our schedules, and sometimes we only have time for a quick podcast. Come listen to this podcast short as we answer your questions in a short amount of time. Today’s podcast short is talking all about planning out your garden and knowing where to plant specific crops before it's time to plant. There's a big difference, in our house, between the main crop garden and the kitchen garden. We encourage you to think outside the box when it comes to growing food...
We're all ready for the gardening season to come, but there are a few things we need to prepare for first! Such as ordering your seeds! If you haven't already ordered your seeds, we highly encourage you to do so soon. But how do you read those seed packets when it comes time to start your seeds indoors or plant them in the garden? That's what we're discussing today on this episode of the Pantry Chat. For more information and any links mentioned in this video, visit the blog post here: https:...
We’re in that cozy shoulder season where the garden is winding down, the last jars are cooling on the counter, and the big question creeps in, did we do enough? In this episode, we're talking about how our family prioritizes filling the pantry without burning out. We cover the calm power of buying staples in bulk, simple preservation that fits your real life, and the secret weapon that gets us through winter even without a root cellar, think potatoes, squash, onions, apples, all stored smart....
What would it really take to feed your family if the grocery stores closed tomorrow? In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, Josh talks with survival expert and herbalist Sam Coffman, author of Survival Gardening: Grow Your Own Emergency Food Supply, about how to build a garden that truly sustains life. Learn how to choose calorie-dense crops, build living soil, and use every layer of your garden for maximum yield. Sam shares practical steps to start small (whether you’re growing in a backy...
As the seasons change, our bodies need a little extra care to stay balanced and healthy. In this episode, I’m sharing how our family supports our immune systems with simple, time-tested rhythms instead of quick fixes. From bone broth and fermented foods to elderberry syrup and herbal teas, these are the habits that keep us thriving through fall and winter. You’ll learn how to build a natural wellness routine that fits into your daily life, not one that adds more overwhelm. I’ll also sha...
Five “weeds,” tons of medicine. In today’s Everyday Homesteading episode, Carolyn sits down with herbalist Dr. Patrick Jones to unpack practical, safe uses for five common wild herbs: mallow/marshmallow/hollyhock (roots), plantain (leaf), burdock (root), stinging nettle (leaf/seed/root), and mullein (leaf/flower/root). What you’ll learn: Mallow family roots for soothing mucous membranes and calming “die lines” in stubborn woundsPlantain for punctures, drawing out toxins, and gentle gut suppor...
Let’s talk about starting homesteading when money is tight and time is even tighter. In this Everyday Homesteading episode, we show you how to begin right where you are, in the kitchen, and build skills that naturally grow into gardens, livestock, and a well-stocked pantry. No acreage required, no 40 extra hours a week, no influencer-level gear. In this episode: • Why every homestead should start in the kitchen • Budget homesteading 101, price-per-unit, and ingredient-based shoppi...
In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, we're taking the fear out of canning and putting confidence back in your kitchen. If you’ve ever thought, “I’ve tried so many tutorials and still don’t feel like I actually know what I’m doing,” or “I’m terrified I’ll waste good food or make my family sick,” this one is for you. I'm breaking canning safety down into simple, step-by-step principles so you can stock your shelves with jars you trust. What we cover Why a sealed lid alone does not equal sa...
Why do so many homesteaders quit before they ever see their gardens thrive or their shelves fill with home-canned food? In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, I sit down with my friend Melissa K. Norris to talk honestly about burnout, expectations that don’t match real life, and the simple habits that make homesteading sustainable. We share personal stories, the mistakes we made, and the practical rhythms that helped us keep going. If you’ve felt overwhelmed, I want this conver...
If your garden struggled this year — plants wilting, pests taking over, and harvests falling short — don’t lose heart. The problem isn’t your green thumb… it’s your soil. 🌱 In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, we are going back to the basics and talking about the foundation of every healthy, productive garden: living soil. We’ll walk you through the six essential elements your soil needs to thrive, from minerals and organic matter to moisture, oxygen, and microbial life, and share practi...
We’ve got some BIG news to share with you! 🎉 After nearly seven years and more than 250 episodes, we’re wrapping up The Pantry Chat Podcast… but don’t worry, this isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of something new! 👉 Welcome to the Everyday Homesteading Podcast. In this episode, we reflect on the heart behind the Pantry Chat, share what’s happening on the homestead right now, and reveal why we’re relaunching under a new name. The mission hasn’t changed; we’re still here to encourage you, ...
In this episode of the Pantry Chat, I sit down with my friend Rory Groves from @thegrovestead to talk about his family’s journey from a tech career in the city to raising six kids on a homestead in Minnesota. Rory’s story will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt the tug to get out of the rat race and build something lasting with their family. What started with a single tomato plant on a city balcony turned into a thriving homestead of gardens, orchards, and livestock. But more than t...
Do you ever wonder how to safely use herbal medicine at home? Whether it’s tinctures, teas, powders, or capsules, figuring out the right dose can feel a little overwhelming, especially if you’re just starting out. In this week’s Pantry Chat, I’m joined by Dr. Patrick Jones from HomegrownHerbalist.net to break it all down in a simple, practical way. We’re covering: 🌿 The pros and cons of different herbal preparations (tinctures, teas, capsules, powders, and salves) 🌿 How to safely dose...
Honey is so much more than a sweetener... It’s medicine. In this episode of the Pantry Chat, I sit down with beekeeper and herbalist Kaylee Richardson from The Honeystead to explore how combining bee products like honey, propolis, and beeswax with herbs can take your natural remedies to the next level. We’ll cover: 🌿 Why bees are the “original herbalists” 🍯 How honey makes herbal medicine more effective (and better tasting!) 🛡️ Using propolis as a powerful antimicrobial for throat sprays and...
It’s midsummer here on the homestead, and that means the harvest is rolling in, the to-do list is growing, and the kitchen floor is… sticky. In this Pantry Chat, we're talking about: 🌱 What to plant now for a winter harvest (and why August is the perfect time) 🐛 How to deal with grasshopper invasions when you can’t keep chickens 🥬 The easiest way to grow lettuce without spending forever washing it 💛 Why gratitude changes everything when homestead life feels overwhelming 🌳 Lessons from our fr...
Want to preserve the fresh flavors of summer herbs to use all year long? In this video, I’m showing you how to make herbal oils and herbal vinegars, a simple, beginner-friendly way to infuse all that goodness into your pantry staples. We’ll talk about how to safely make flavored oils (yes, there are safety concerns!), and how herbal vinegars are a perfect, safe project for kids and beginners. These make amazing salad dressings, cooking ingredients, and even homemade gifts! 🌿 In this video:...
Is your homestead truly secure? In this Pantry Chat episode, I'm joined by Tim Eng (veteran, real estate agent, and fellow homesteader) to unpack the essentials of homestead security. From predator prevention and property layout to firearms training, fencing, alarms, and community defense, this is a must-watch for anyone serious about protecting their homestead. 👉 Topics covered: - Practical ways to secure your home and barn - How to build awareness and reduce vulnerability - The role of fir...
Is your garden looking a little droopy in the August heat? 🌞 In this episode of The Pantry Chat, we’re sharing 7 water-saving gardening tips that will help you keep your garden alive and thriving, without running the sprinkler all day long. From mulching and deep watering to smart irrigation, dry farming techniques, and choosing heat-tolerant plants, we’re covering the tried-and-true methods we’ve used in dry climates and here on our North Idaho homestead. Whether you're gardening in a drough...
Susan Henthorn
This is a great informative talk. I am getting into herbs and there is so much info in this . thank you
Susan Henthorn
I have been gardening for several years and there is a lot of good info in this. Thanks for all your help.
Monique
I love Josh and Carolyn! Their practical solutions are such an encouragement to me in my own family's homesteading journey!
Rachel C.
Josh and Carolyn are the real deal! Have enjoyed their content for years!
Libby Daddy
I got a copy of that newsletter it is excellent and free.