If you’ve been gardening for any length of time, you already know that you have a lot to do, every day, if you want to bring in a good harvest. All of your plants need inspection, tending to, watering, feeding, and other specialized forms of care. It can be exhausting! But, just like our grandparents … Read more
It seems like everyone is coming around to the notion that plastic can be bad news. With so much in our daily lives being made of plastic, including the things we use in the kitchen and packaging that’s constantly in contact with our food, long-term toxicity from microplastics is a hot-button topic. Accordingly, my family … Read more
Regular exfoliation is a very common practice to help keep the skin in tip-top shape. Exfoliation can scrub away dead skin cells, oil, gunk, and other built-up debris to help your skin look and feel better. Sadly though, so many commercially available exfoliators are either packed with harsh, irritating chemicals or else are fantastically expensive. … Read more
No matter what you do around your homestead, I’m willing to bet you work with your hands. And work with them a lot! Naturally, constant use, exposure to the elements, and wear and tear will result in sore, cracked, and rough skin. There’s nothing wrong with working hands, especially if you aren’t worried about being … Read more
If you’re anything like me when tidying up in the kitchen and around the house, you go through paper towels fast and furiously. Cleaning up a mess? Paper towels. Wiping windows, the oven door, and the microwave door? Paper towels. Drying my hands? You got it, paper towels. It’s easy to get addicted to the … Read more
There’s nothing better than a perfectly ripe, tangy, and sweet orange. They really are one of life’s great pleasures. But did you know that oranges are good for so much more than snacking or enjoying at the breakfast table? It’s true! These famous fruits have many practical uses around your home, in the garage, and … Read more
Goat milk, for some of us, takes a little bit of getting used to. It definitely doesn’t taste like cow’s milk. If I’m being honest, some of us will never get used to it! I’ve heard it described as too tangy, too rich, too funky, and even skunky. I know, hardly appealing. But what you … Read more
When homesteaders start thinking about livestock, they usually think of chickens, cows, or pigs, but increasingly we are seeing goats gain more ground in the United States. They’re much smaller and cheaper than larger livestock and are truly multi-purpose, capable of producing meat, milk, and in some cases valuable fiber. But as always, picking the … Read more
Chickens are omnivores, and as omnivores, they eat a wide variety of foods. Lots of plant matter, yes, but also animal protein. One favorite food that all chooks love is insects, and among insects, there is nothing that will get your birds excited like a juicy, wriggling mealworm. They’re an amazing source of protein, packed … Read more
Wood heat has been around forever. Well, I can’t say forever: I suppose there was a point in time when mankind didn’t even have control over fire! But once we did, wood has been the fuel of choice ever since. Versatile, abundant, and cheap, it still makes a great choice today if you have a … Read more
Winter is invariably a challenging season. Intense cold makes everything harder, people and animals are more prone to getting sick, and quality forage is either dead or concealed under snow, meaning you’ve got to provide your livestock with food around the clock. Different livestock species handle winter weather better or worse, and when it comes … Read more
No matter what sorts of animals you take care of on your homestead, expanding your herd or flock the all-natural way is always going to be an exciting, and somewhat nerve-wracking time. Pregnant animals need lots of additional care, and the closer that the delivery date comes the more there is to do to make … Read more
Animals are typically classified as herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores. Our cows, for instance, are herbivores because they eat nothing but plant matter… but just how strict is this classification? Ask around and you’ll hear plenty of stories from cattle owners about how, every now and then, one or more of their cows will eat a … Read more
Is there anything more luxurious in the bath than a skin-soothing bar of homemade honey and oatmeal soap? Nope! Made with oats, honey, and a dash of tea tree oil, this soap is a miracle for dry, itchy, and irritated skin. Winter dryness or just for relaxation and daily skincare, this soap is just the … Read more
Everybody knows that cows are herbivores, right? And that an herbivorous animal is one that eats solely plant matter… They don’t eat mostly plant matter and a little animal protein: they eat only plants. Simple enough, but when you stop to consider the various types of feed and other foods that are sometimes given to … Read more
If you’ve owned chickens for any length of time, you already know that these plucky birds are eating machines. Food, truly, seems to be the only thing that motivates them. But feeding them is a lot easier in warm weather. With cold weather comes challenges… For example, chickens won’t be able to peck and scratch … Read more