Everyday Homesteading

Mistakes happen on every homestead, and today we are sharing some of our biggest ones from the past year so you can learn right alongside us. Whether it is garden chaos, livestock mishaps, or ignoring that little voice of intuition, these lessons are part of growing wiser and more resilient on the homestead.We are also chatting about winter prep, homeschool rhythms, fruit flies in the pantry, and a few behind–the–scenes stories from life here at Riverbend. Grab a warm drink and join us for some real talk about what went wrong and how we are moving forward.Time Stamps0:00 - Introduction1:20 - Chit Chat3:00 - Cabin Build (Card)10:41 - ForJars12:19 - Main TopicGrab Your Spot:Get registered for our free, live How to Homestead Anywhere crash course. This week-long training will help you build resilience and peaceful rhythms no matter where you live: Learn Seed Saving:Start saving your own garden seeds with this simple beginners guide:https://homesteadingfamily.com/seed-saving-for-beginners/Thank You to ForJars:We appreciate ForJars for sponsoring this episode. Check out their line of durable, homestead-friendly canning and preserving tools. Use coupon code HOMESTEADINGFAMILY10 to save 10 percent on your order: https://homesteadingfamily.com/forjarsAs always, we love hearing from you. Share your biggest homesteading mistakes in the comments below so we can learn from each other.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~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/HFWelcomeVideoGrow, Preserve & Thrive with us!Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.comFacebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamilyInstagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamilyRumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamilyA 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/HHHytYour 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-workshopMeals on Your Shelf – Can along with me!  Learn to can and put jars of a delicious meal on your pantry shelf with this FREE video series: https://homesteadingfamily.com/MOYS-free-workshopEvery single month we send out a physical magazine to over 10,000 people! It's filled with seasonal recipes, fresh inspiration for your kitchen, and practical homesteading tips from seasoned homesteaders. Just like the Everyday Homesteading podcast, the magazine equips and empowers you to thrive on your homestead. Sign up now for just $9/month. 

Learn how to make cheese the traditional way using natural raw milk cultures like clabber, kefir, and backsplash whey. In this conversation with Robyn Jackson from Cheese From Scratch, we dig into how to create and maintain your own starter cultures, how to troubleshoot clabber that smells a little funky, and how to use these cultures to make everything from cream cheese to aged wheels.This episode covers:• What clabber is and why it was used for generations• How to build and maintain a healthy clabber culture• How kefir can work as a starter culture• When backsplash whey is useful and when it is not• How to know if your culture has gone bad• How to make a simple clabber cream cheese at home• Why natural cultures can make your cheeses taste better than commercial starters✅ If you want to learn how to work with raw milk in a way that is simple, safe, and incredibly rewarding, this episode will give you the confidence to begin. Learn more here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/natural-cheesemaking/✅ Grab a copy of Robyn's book, Cheese From Scratchhere: https://homesteadliving.com/product/cheese-from-scratch/✅ Check out my Practical Homemade Dairy Masterclass here: https://homesteadliving.com/product/cheese-from-scratch/Time Stamps:0:00 - Introduction2:54 - American Blossom Linens4:48 - Main Topic- Thanks to American Blossom Linens for sponsoring today's podcast. Be sure to grab yourself 20% off your purchase with coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY". Check out all their amazing products 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/HFWelcomeVideoGrow, Preserve & Thrive with us!Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.comFacebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamilyInstagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamilyRumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamilyA 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/HHHytYour 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-workshopMeals on Your Shelf – Can along with me!  Learn to can and put jars of a delicious meal on your pantry shelf with this FREE video series: Every single month we send out a physical magazine to over 10,000 people! It's filled with seasonal recipes, fresh inspiration for your kitchen, and practical homesteading tips from seasoned homesteaders. Just like the Everyday Homesteading podcast, the magazine equips and empowers you to thrive on your homestead. Sign up now for just $9/month. 

In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, we open up about cultivating contentment in every season of our homestead life. It's easy to feel grateful when everything is going smoothly, but true contentment is often built in the hard moments. Today, we talk about choosing gratitude, navigating overwhelm, balancing the desire to grow with the ability to rest, and finding joy in whatever season you are in.✅ For more information, visit the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/cultivating-contentment-on-the-homestead/✅ Get all our favorite sausage recipes here: https://classes.homesteadingfamily.com/pl/2148622418✅ Learn how to render lard here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/rendering-lard-or-tallow/✅ Thank you to ForJars for sponsoring today's podcast. Check out their full line of tools at their website and use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY10" for ten percent off your purchase: https://homesteadingfamily.com/forjarsTIME STAMPS:0:00 - Introduction2:55 - Chit Chat11:11 - ForJars12:35 - 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/HFWelcomeVideoGrow, Preserve & Thrive with us!Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.comFacebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamilyInstagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamilyRumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamilyA 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/HHHytYour 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-workshopMeals on Your Shelf – Can along with me!  Learn to can and put jars of a delicious meal on your pantry shelf with this FREE video series: https://homesteadingfamily.com/MOYS-free-workshopEvery single month we send out a physical magazine to over 10,000 people! It's filled with seasonal recipes, fresh inspiration for your kitchen, and practical homesteading tips from seasoned homesteaders. Just like the Everyday Homesteading podcast, the magazine equips and empowers you to thrive on your homestead. Sign up now for just $9/month. 

If you’ve ever wondered how to rehydrate dehydrated food so it actually tastes good, this episode is for you! Join me with guest Darcy Baldwin from The Purposeful Pantry as we share our best tips for dehydrating and rehydrating food for everyday use, not just for emergencies.You’ll learn:✅ How to rehydrate vegetables, fruits, and meats for soups, casseroles, and skillet meals✅ Why dehydrating is one of the easiest, most affordable long-term food storage methods✅ When to blanch vegetables before dehydrating✅ How to use green powders and veggie powders to boost everyday nutrition✅ Pantry organization systems that save you time and moneyWhether you’re building a working pantry, stocking up for winter, or learning how to use dehydrated food in real meals, this episode will show you how to make every jar on your shelf a tool for convenience and nourishment.✨ Learn more in the accompanying blog post: https://homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-rehydrate-dehydrated-food/✨ Take Darcy’s full class inside the School of Traditional Skills: https://homesteadingfamily.com/STS_Member_n✨ Learn more from Darcy at The Purposeful Pantry: https://www.thepurposefulpantry.com/✨ Thanks to American Blossom Linens for sponsoring this podcast. Be sure to use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY" for 20% off your purchase here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/s-american-blossom-linensTime Stamps:0:00 - Introduction1:36 - American Blossom Linens3:32 - 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/HFWelcomeVideoGrow, Preserve & Thrive with us! Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.comFacebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamilyInstagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamilyRumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamilyA 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/HHHytYour 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-workshopMeals on Your Shelf – Can along with me!  Learn to can and put jars of a delicious meal on your pantry shelf with this FREE video series: https://homesteadingfamily.com/MOYS-free-workshopEvery single month we send out a physical magazine to over 10,000 people! It's filled with seasonal recipes, fresh inspiration for your kitchen, and practical homesteading tips from seasoned homesteaders. Just like the Everyday Homesteading podcast, the magazine equips and empowers you to thrive on your homestead. Sign up now for just $9/month. 

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. We also share the weekly rhythms that keep the pantry peaceful, like shopping your shelves first and tracking what your family actually eats.If you’ve ever felt pressure to “do it all,” this one will help you breathe, simplify, and still feel prepared.Read the full companion post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/building-up-your-long-term-food-storage-supply/And learn more about our Homestead Kitchen Membership here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcast-MEMBERSHIPThanks to Azure Standard for sponsoring this podcast. If you're a first-time Azure customer, be sure to use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY15" at checkout to receive 15% off your first order of $100 or more: https://homesteadingfamily.com/main-azure-standard-b~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~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/HFWelcomeVideoGrow, Preserve & Thrive with us!Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.comFacebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamilyInstagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamilyRumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamilyA 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/HHHytYour 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-workshopMeals on Your Shelf – Can along with me!  Learn to can and put jars of a delicious meal on your pantry shelf with this FREE video series: https://homesteadingfamily.com/MOYS-free-workshopEvery single month we send out a physical magazine to over 10,000 people! It's filled with seasonal recipes, fresh inspiration for your kitchen, and practical homesteading tips from seasoned homesteaders. Just like the Everyday Homesteading podcast, the magazine equips and empowers you to thrive on your homestead. Sign up now for just $9/month. 

In this insightful discussion, Sam Coffman, a former Green Beret and clinical herbalist, shares his expertise on creating a survival garden. He emphasizes the importance of designing gardens that can sustain families in emergencies, focusing on calorie-dense crops and building living soil. Sam also discusses community resilience, advocating for collaboration over self-sufficiency. Listeners will learn about maximizing small spaces, the significance of soil and water, and practical storage methods to ensure food security amidst rising costs.

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 share my favorite seasonal herbs, tips for clean indoor air, and how emotional rest ties directly into physical health.For more information (and links), visit the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-boost-your-immune-system-naturally/👉 Download your Free Fall & Winter Wellness Checklist at https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcast-wellnesschecklistThanks to American Blossom Linens for sponsoring this podcast. Be sure to check them out and use code "homesteadingfamily". 🎧 Offer: 20% off your order for Homesteading Family listeners 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/HFWelcomeVideoGrow, Preserve & Thrive with us! Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.comFacebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamilyInstagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamilyRumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamilyA 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/HHHytYour 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-workshopMeals on Your Shelf – Can along with me!  Learn to can and put jars of a delicious meal on your pantry shelf with this FREE video series: https://homesteadingfamily.com/MOYS-free-workshopEvery single month we send out a physical magazine to over 10,000 people! It's filled with seasonal recipes, fresh inspiration for your kitchen, and practical homesteading tips from seasoned homesteaders. Just like the Everyday Homesteading podcast, the magazine equips and empowers you to thrive on your homestead. Sign up now for just $9/month. 

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 supportBurdock root for liver, skin, and daily prebiotic benefitsStinging nettle leaf for allergies, seed for kidneys, root for male urinary supportMullein to quiet dry coughs, make simple ear oil, and support back/bladder with the rootBest times to harvest roots of biennials, how to slice before drying, and what to stock in a starter herbal kitResources:- For more information, visit the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/healing-herbs-and-plants/- Check out Doc Jones' book here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcast-docjonesweeds- Thanks to Lehman's for sponsoring this podcast. Be sure to check them out, and don't forget to request a FREE catalog at https://lehmans.com- Check out Dr. Patrick Jones and everything he has to offer over at https://homegrownherbalist.netTime Stamps:- 0:00 - Introduction- 2:29 - Lehmans- 4:04 - How You Can Help!- 5:14 - Main TopicIf you enjoy the show, please rate, review, and follow. Then, download the first five episodes of season 6 to help more homesteaders find us.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~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.comFacebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamilyInstagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamilyRumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamilyA 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/HHHytYour 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-workshopMeals on Your Shelf – Can along with me!  Learn to can and put jars of a delicious meal on your pantry shelf with this FREE video series: https://homesteadingfamily.com/MOYS-free-workshopEvery single month we send out a physical magazine to over 10,000 people! It's filled with seasonal recipes, fresh inspiration for your kitchen, and practical homesteading tips from seasoned homesteaders. Just like the Everyday Homesteading podcast, the magazine equips and empowers you to thrive on your homestead. Sign up now for just $9/month. 

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 coverWhy a sealed lid alone does not equal safe food, and what actually makes a jar shelf-stable.The pH "line in the sand" at 4.6, why it matters, and how it guides every canning decision.Exactly when boiling water bath canning is safe, and when you must pressure can.How heat, thickness, and circulation inside the jar impact safety.Common myths that lead to botulism risk, and the simple habits that keep you safe.Using approved recipes, what “acidifying” means for tomatoes and borderline foods.Reliable sources for tested recipes, so you’re not stuck in conflicting advice.Key takeawaysHigh-acid foods can be safely water bath canned because molds and yeast are easy to kill at boiling temperatures.Low-acid foods like meats, vegetables, and most full-meal recipes require pressure canning to reliably reach about 250°F.Approved recipes exist to control pH, density, and processing time so you can stop guessing and start knowing.If you can follow a cake recipe, you will be able to can safely at home.Resources mentionedCheck out all our canning resources, and to watch this podcast episode, on the website here: Free Canning Safety Training for visual learners: https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcast-canningTrusted recipe sources: Ball Blue Book, the National Center for Home Food Preservation, and Homestead Kitchen Magazine’s master-preserver approved recipesSponsor A big thank you to Azure Standard for making bulk, vetted pantry staples affordable. New customers get 15% off a first order of 100 dollars or more with code HomesteadingFamily15.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~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/HFWelcomeVideoGrow, Preserve & Thrive with us!Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.comFacebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamilyInstagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamilyRumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamilyA 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: httpEvery single month we send out a physical magazine to over 10,000 people! It's filled with seasonal recipes, fresh inspiration for your kitchen, and practical homesteading tips from seasoned homesteaders. Just like the Everyday Homesteading podcast, the magazine equips and empowers you to thrive on your homestead. Sign up now for just $9/month. 

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 practical steps you can take to build healthy, vibrant soil right where you are. You’ll also learn how to avoid the common “quick fixes” that can actually make your garden problems worse over time.Whether you’re growing your very first garden or trying to bring tired soil back to life, this episode will help you create the kind of rich, fertile foundation that makes everything in your garden flourish.💚 FREE RESOURCE: Grab our Healthy Garden Soil Action Plan at https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcast-healthygardensteps🎯 Mentioned in This Episode:• 4Jars Canning Supplies — Use code HOMESTEADINGFAMILY10 for 10% off your order!: https://homesteadingfamily.com/canning-jars-8oz-fb• RX Soil Testing – a great way to check your organic matter levels: https://homesteadingfamily.com/rx-soil• Learn more about improving soil quality → https://homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-improve-soil-quality/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~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/HFWelcomeVideoGrow, Preserve & Thrive with us!Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.comFacebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamilyInstagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamilyRumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamilyA 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/HHHytYour 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-workshopEvery single month we send out a physical magazine to over 10,000 people! It's filled with seasonal recipes, fresh inspiration for your kitchen, and practical homesteading tips from seasoned homesteaders. Just like the Everyday Homesteading podcast, the magazine equips and empowers you to thrive on your homestead. Sign up now for just $9/month.