fb-pixel
Homesteading Family Logo
Helping Families

Grow, Preserve & Thrive

You can learn the traditional skills to help your family become more healthy, free and secure.

Join The Movement

They can homestead, so can you!

A man and woman sitting at the counter with a laptop in front of them.
Welcome To

Homesteading Family

We’re Carolyn and Josh Thomas!  We live on 40 acres in Idaho with our 11 children where we grow, preserve, and prepare most of our own food right in our own backyard.

As young parents with a quickly growing family and a desire to feed them healthy, whole foods (even on a tight budget) we knew very quickly that we were going to have to figure out how to grow and prepare it ourselves... good food was just too expensive!

But we didn’t have anyone around us that we could ask about how to make this homesteading thing work. We felt completely alone and scrambling for answers while dealing with the demands of life.

After years of studying, trial and error and learning from anyone who knew more than us, we started figuring out how to make a productive, old fashioned life in the midst of a modern world. We were raising and growing most of our family’s food and medicine, and enjoying the results of eating healthy food, working together as a family, and being more connected to our land.

We didn’t want others to have to go through the same struggles we experienced, so we created Homesteading Family.

As the years have passed we have had an opportunity to speak into the lives of more and more families… And while we are so blessed to get to help others, we also know that this is just the beginning.

Now it is time to take the next step in your journey.

The Homestead Kitchen Membership will help you transform your home from a consumer based home into a productive and healthy home, through thoughtful instruction and well-designed content.

We hope you join us and can’t wait to see how your homestead grows.

Introducing...

Homestead Kitchen magazine

A monthly magazine filled with practical tips from homesteading experts, delicious recipes, and inspiring stories to help you thrive in your homestead kitchen. Each month, you’ll get brand new recipes to help you fill your pantry, freezer and table while learning traditional cooking skills and preservation techniques.

Get the Magazine for Just $1 for your First Month!

Carolyn from Homesteading Family flipping through a copy of the Homestead Kitchen magazine
Recent Blogs

The Latest From Homesteading Family

Jars of home canned tomato sauce in a water bath canner.

Why Didn't My Canning Jars Seal?

If you've ever found yourself asking, "Why didn't my canning jars seal?", this post breaks down the eight most common reasons.

Previous
Next
Accelerate Learning

Featured Classes

A cast iron dutch oven with a loaf of bread inside.

The Art of Homemade Bread

Learning to make consistently good bread at home is challenging, at best. The reason is simple…​​

Herbal remedies on a shelf,

Herbal Medicine Cabinet: COLDS & FLUS

Ready to start treating your family's common health complaints with safe and natural, plant based…

Multiple kinds of dairy products sitting on a kitchen counter.

The Practical, Homemade Dairy Masterclass

Learn to make wonderful and healthy cultured milk products, soft cheese, and hard aged cheese...

Jars of home canned tomato sauce in a water bath canner.

The Abundant Pantry: Canning

Afraid of exploding canners and making your family sick? Not after you learn the simple science behind…

Read By Category

Trending Topics

Grow

Learn the practical gardening methods to fill your plate with organic fruit, veggies, meat and dairy from your own backyard.

Cook

Discover a range of delicious recipes with our collection of tips and tricks to help you succeed in the kitchen.

Preserve

Confidently fill your shelves with safe, healthy food. Learn how to Can, Dehydrate, Ferment, Infuse, Cure, and Brew.

Thrive

Simple, healthy living for the whole family. Learn about topics like Traditional Cooking, Herbal Medicine, and Natural Cleaning.

“I grew up in a bit of a homesteading family and a lot of that lifestyle, yet I moved to the city and had children who never were good city-slickers! I brought them back to the community of my childhood when they were young and now I'm still living in town and longing for the homestead life. This has already been inspiring and I've enjoyed learning from your YouTube channel and will be around learning more even if I move to the bigger city for a time.”
- Rebecca A.
watch and learn

Most Recent Videos

Join us for a peaceful morning on the homestead as we take you along for our real-time pasture rotation chores. There's no step-by-step tutorial here, just a behind-the-scenes look at what daily life really looks like as we move livestock to fresh pasture.

Want to learn more about why we practice rotational grazing and the benefits it brings to our animals, pasture, and soil? Read the companion blog post here:

👉 Real-Time Pasture Rotation on the Homestead - https://homesteadingfamily.com/real-time-pasture-rotation-on-the-homestead/

If you enjoy seeing authentic homestead life, be sure to subscribe for more practical gardening, livestock, food preservation, and self-sufficiency videos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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

Meals 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-workshop

FREE PDF DOWNLOADS:
- Homesteading Family's Favorite Holiday Recipes - Grab all of our family’s favorite holiday recipes. https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-holiday-recipes
- 5 Steps to a More Self-Sufficient Life - Simple steps anyone can take wherever they are to start a more self-sufficient lifestyle. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsYT
- Thrive Wellness Checklist - A simple guide for healthy living: https://homesteadingfamily.com/TWC_YT
- Permaculture for Your Homestead- An introduction to permaculture with some strategies for applying it to one’s homestead and garden.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/PFYH_YT
- Carolyn’s Cottage Garden herb list - Carolyn’s favorite herbs for growing at home.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/CGHL_YT
- Carolyn’s Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles - These easy casseroles are a life-saver for busy weeks! https://homesteadingfamily.com/MABC_YT
- Your FREE Guide to Preserving Eggs - Grab your guide to preserving eggs with multiple methods. https://homesteadingfamily.com/Eggs_YT
- 5 Steps to a Healthy Garden - Get an explanation of what makes healthy soil and 5 steps you can take to improve your garden. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsGardenYT
- Save the Crumbs- Several Recipes for using bread leftovers, a less committal entry to bread than the workshop. https://homesteadingfamily.com/STC_YT
- Fearless Fermenting- A simple guide on basic lacto-ferments. https://homesteadingfamily.com/FF_YT
- Fermenting Tomatoes - Easiest and fastest tomato preservation: https://homesteadingfamily.com/FT_YT
- Preserving Culinary Herbs - Downloadable, step-by-step directions to drying, freezing, and salting culinary herbs. https://homesteadingfamily.com/PCH_YT
- Render Your Own Lard - Grab these easy instructions on how to render your own lard. https://homesteadingfamily.com/RYL_YT
- Grandma Lynn's Blueberry Buckle - A delicious dessert anytime of year: https://homesteadingfamily.com/BB_YT

Join us for a peaceful morning on the homestead as we take you along for our real-time pasture rotation chores. There's no step-by-step tutorial here, just a behind-the-scenes look at what daily life really looks like as we move livestock to fresh pasture.

Want to learn more about why we practice rotational grazing and the benefits it brings to our animals, pasture, and soil? Read the companion blog post here:

👉 Real-Time Pasture Rotation on the Homestead - https://homesteadingfamily.com/real-time-pasture-rotation-on-the-homestead/

If you enjoy seeing authentic homestead life, be sure to subscribe for more practical gardening, livestock, food preservation, and self-sufficiency videos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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

Meals 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-workshop

FREE PDF DOWNLOADS:
- Homesteading Family's Favorite Holiday Recipes - Grab all of our family’s favorite holiday recipes. https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-holiday-recipes
- 5 Steps to a More Self-Sufficient Life - Simple steps anyone can take wherever they are to start a more self-sufficient lifestyle. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsYT
- Thrive Wellness Checklist - A simple guide for healthy living: https://homesteadingfamily.com/TWC_YT
- Permaculture for Your Homestead- An introduction to permaculture with some strategies for applying it to one’s homestead and garden.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/PFYH_YT
- Carolyn’s Cottage Garden herb list - Carolyn’s favorite herbs for growing at home.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/CGHL_YT
- Carolyn’s Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles - These easy casseroles are a life-saver for busy weeks! https://homesteadingfamily.com/MABC_YT
- Your FREE Guide to Preserving Eggs - Grab your guide to preserving eggs with multiple methods. https://homesteadingfamily.com/Eggs_YT
- 5 Steps to a Healthy Garden - Get an explanation of what makes healthy soil and 5 steps you can take to improve your garden. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsGardenYT
- Save the Crumbs- Several Recipes for using bread leftovers, a less committal entry to bread than the workshop. https://homesteadingfamily.com/STC_YT
- Fearless Fermenting- A simple guide on basic lacto-ferments. https://homesteadingfamily.com/FF_YT
- Fermenting Tomatoes - Easiest and fastest tomato preservation: https://homesteadingfamily.com/FT_YT
- Preserving Culinary Herbs - Downloadable, step-by-step directions to drying, freezing, and salting culinary herbs. https://homesteadingfamily.com/PCH_YT
- Render Your Own Lard - Grab these easy instructions on how to render your own lard. https://homesteadingfamily.com/RYL_YT
- Grandma Lynn's Blueberry Buckle - A delicious dessert anytime of year: https://homesteadingfamily.com/BB_YT

YouTube Video VVV1OTlXNVRUUEF1Y1ZOODNUWVF0Q3FRLjIyaVFJS292QXdv

What Morning Chores Really Look Like on a Homestead

views July 8th

Are you working yourself to exhaustion trying to preserve every possible food for your pantry? I used to think a successful pantry meant recreating the grocery store at home. But after more than 20 years of homesteading, I've learned that's one of the fastest ways to burn out.

In this video, I'm sharing the mindset shift that completely changed the way I preserve food. Instead of asking, "What do I want to eat?" I started asking, "What preserves well?" That one simple change has saved me countless hours while helping me build a pantry that's practical, resilient, and full of nourishing food my family actually uses.

In this episode, you'll learn:
✔ Why treating your pantry like a grocery store leads to unnecessary work and burnout
✔ The foods I make a priority to preserve every year
✔ How root cellaring and fermentation can dramatically reduce your preserving workload
✔ When it's actually smarter to buy food that's already preserved
✔ How to build a seasonal pantry that saves time, money, and effort

⏰ Time Stamps
0:00 - Introduction
1:24 - Azure Standard
4:47 - Main Topic

📚 Resources Mentioned
Stop Treating Your Pantry Like a Grocery Store:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/stop-treating-your-pantry-like-a-grocery-store/

Food Preservation: A Year at a Glance:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/food-preservation-a-year-at-a-glance/

Root Cellaring for Beginners:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/preservation-101-root-cellaring/

Eating Seasonally on the Homestead:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/meal-planning-on-the-homestead/

This episode is sponsored by Azure Standard, one of Josh's and my favorite sources for bulk foods, pantry staples, organic produce, garden supplies, livestock feed, and hard-to-find homesteading essentials. We especially appreciate that they now offer home delivery in many areas, making it even easier to stock up on the quality products we rely on. If you're looking for a trusted source for homesteading supplies, be sure to check them out using the link below. And for first-time customers, you can use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY15" for 15% off your FIRST order of $100 or more, shipped to a drop location: https://homesteadingfamily.com/main-azure-standard-b

👇 I'd love to hear from you: What's one food you no longer preserve because you've realized it simply isn't worth the time? Or what's one thing you'll never stop preserving yourself? Share your answer in the comments!

#FoodPreservation #Homesteading #PantryStorage #FoodStorage #Canning #SelfSufficiency


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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

Meals 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-workshop

FREE PDF DOWNLOADS:
- Homesteading Family's Favorite Holiday Recipes - Grab all of our family’s favorite holiday recipes. https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-holiday-recipes
- 5 Steps to a More Self-Sufficient Life - Simple steps anyone can take wherever they are to start a more self-sufficient lifestyle. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsYT
- Thrive Wellness Checklist - A simple guide for healthy living: https://homesteadingfamily.com/TWC_YT
- Permaculture for Your Homestead- An introduction to permaculture with some strategies for applying it to one’s homestead and garden.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/PFYH_YT
- Carolyn’s Cottage Garden herb list - Carolyn’s favorite herbs for growing at home.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/CGHL_YT
- Carolyn’s Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles - These easy casseroles are a life-saver for busy weeks! https://homesteadingfamily.com/MABC_YT
- Your FREE Guide to Preserving Eggs - Grab your guide to preserving eggs with multiple methods. https://homesteadingfamily.com/Eggs_YT
- 5 Steps to a Healthy Garden - Get an explanation of what makes healthy soil and 5 steps you can take to improve your garden. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsGardenYT

Are you working yourself to exhaustion trying to preserve every possible food for your pantry? I used to think a successful pantry meant recreating the grocery store at home. But after more than 20 years of homesteading, I've learned that's one of the fastest ways to burn out.

In this video, I'm sharing the mindset shift that completely changed the way I preserve food. Instead of asking, "What do I want to eat?" I started asking, "What preserves well?" That one simple change has saved me countless hours while helping me build a pantry that's practical, resilient, and full of nourishing food my family actually uses.

In this episode, you'll learn:
✔ Why treating your pantry like a grocery store leads to unnecessary work and burnout
✔ The foods I make a priority to preserve every year
✔ How root cellaring and fermentation can dramatically reduce your preserving workload
✔ When it's actually smarter to buy food that's already preserved
✔ How to build a seasonal pantry that saves time, money, and effort

⏰ Time Stamps
0:00 - Introduction
1:24 - Azure Standard
4:47 - Main Topic

📚 Resources Mentioned
Stop Treating Your Pantry Like a Grocery Store:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/stop-treating-your-pantry-like-a-grocery-store/

Food Preservation: A Year at a Glance:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/food-preservation-a-year-at-a-glance/

Root Cellaring for Beginners:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/preservation-101-root-cellaring/

Eating Seasonally on the Homestead:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/meal-planning-on-the-homestead/

This episode is sponsored by Azure Standard, one of Josh's and my favorite sources for bulk foods, pantry staples, organic produce, garden supplies, livestock feed, and hard-to-find homesteading essentials. We especially appreciate that they now offer home delivery in many areas, making it even easier to stock up on the quality products we rely on. If you're looking for a trusted source for homesteading supplies, be sure to check them out using the link below. And for first-time customers, you can use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY15" for 15% off your FIRST order of $100 or more, shipped to a drop location: https://homesteadingfamily.com/main-azure-standard-b

👇 I'd love to hear from you: What's one food you no longer preserve because you've realized it simply isn't worth the time? Or what's one thing you'll never stop preserving yourself? Share your answer in the comments!

#FoodPreservation #Homesteading #PantryStorage #FoodStorage #Canning #SelfSufficiency


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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

Meals 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-workshop

FREE PDF DOWNLOADS:
- Homesteading Family's Favorite Holiday Recipes - Grab all of our family’s favorite holiday recipes. https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-holiday-recipes
- 5 Steps to a More Self-Sufficient Life - Simple steps anyone can take wherever they are to start a more self-sufficient lifestyle. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsYT
- Thrive Wellness Checklist - A simple guide for healthy living: https://homesteadingfamily.com/TWC_YT
- Permaculture for Your Homestead- An introduction to permaculture with some strategies for applying it to one’s homestead and garden.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/PFYH_YT
- Carolyn’s Cottage Garden herb list - Carolyn’s favorite herbs for growing at home.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/CGHL_YT
- Carolyn’s Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles - These easy casseroles are a life-saver for busy weeks! https://homesteadingfamily.com/MABC_YT
- Your FREE Guide to Preserving Eggs - Grab your guide to preserving eggs with multiple methods. https://homesteadingfamily.com/Eggs_YT
- 5 Steps to a Healthy Garden - Get an explanation of what makes healthy soil and 5 steps you can take to improve your garden. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsGardenYT

YouTube Video VVV1OTlXNVRUUEF1Y1ZOODNUWVF0Q3FRLlZxQUhnZ0xTOTBB

How I Preserve a Year's Worth of Food Without Burnout

views July 4th

Do you really need to sterilize your canning jars before preserving food?

This is one of the most common questions I get from both new and experienced canners, and the answer surprises a lot of people.

The truth is, for most approved water bath and pressure canning recipes, sterilizing jars ahead of time isn't necessary. In this video, I'm breaking down what current canning recommendations say, why the guidance has changed over the years, and what you actually need to do to safely prepare your jars for canning.

We'll also cover:
✔️ When sterilizing jars is (and isn't) necessary
✔️ The difference between clean and sterilized jars
✔️ Why I always keep my jars warm before filling them
✔️ Which canning supplies can be reused safely
✔️ Common mistakes that can lead to seal failures

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting canning advice, this video will help simplify the process and build your confidence in the kitchen.

Read the full blog post here:
👉 https://homesteadingfamily.com/do-you-need-to-sterilize-canning-jars-before-canning/

Grab my FREE Every Time You Can Checklist:
👉 https://homesteadingfamily.com/confident-canner-podcast

#Canning #WaterBathCanning #PressureCanning #CanningTips 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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

Meals 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-workshop

FREE PDF DOWNLOADS:
- Homesteading Family's Favorite Holiday Recipes - Grab all of our family’s favorite holiday recipes. https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-holiday-recipes
- 5 Steps to a More Self-Sufficient Life - Simple steps anyone can take wherever they are to start a more self-sufficient lifestyle. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsYT
- Thrive Wellness Checklist - A simple guide for healthy living: https://homesteadingfamily.com/TWC_YT
- Permaculture for Your Homestead- An introduction to permaculture with some strategies for applying it to one’s homestead and garden.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/PFYH_YT
- Carolyn’s Cottage Garden herb list - Carolyn’s favorite herbs for growing at home.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/CGHL_YT
- Carolyn’s Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles - These easy casseroles are a life-saver for busy weeks! https://homesteadingfamily.com/MABC_YT
- Your FREE Guide to Preserving Eggs - Grab your guide to preserving eggs with multiple methods. https://homesteadingfamily.com/Eggs_YT
- 5 Steps to a Healthy Garden - Get an explanation of what makes healthy soil and 5 steps you can take to improve your garden. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsGardenYT
- Save the Crumbs- Several Recipes for using bread leftovers, a less committal entry to bread than the workshop. https://homesteadingfamily.com/STC_YT
- Fearless Fermenting- A simple guide on basic lacto-ferments. https://homesteadingfamily.com/FF_YT
- Fermenting Tomatoes - Easiest and fastest tomato preservation: https://homesteadingfamily.com/FT_YT
- Preserving Culinary Herbs - Downloadable, step-by-step directions to drying, freezing, and salting culinary herbs. https://homesteadingfamily.com/PCH_YT
- Render Your Own Lard - Grab these easy instructions on how to render your own lard. https://homesteadingfamily.com/RYL_YT
- Grandma Lynn's Blueberry Buckle - A delicious dessert anytime of year: https://homesteadingfamily.com/BB_YT

Do you really need to sterilize your canning jars before preserving food?

This is one of the most common questions I get from both new and experienced canners, and the answer surprises a lot of people.

The truth is, for most approved water bath and pressure canning recipes, sterilizing jars ahead of time isn't necessary. In this video, I'm breaking down what current canning recommendations say, why the guidance has changed over the years, and what you actually need to do to safely prepare your jars for canning.

We'll also cover:
✔️ When sterilizing jars is (and isn't) necessary
✔️ The difference between clean and sterilized jars
✔️ Why I always keep my jars warm before filling them
✔️ Which canning supplies can be reused safely
✔️ Common mistakes that can lead to seal failures

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting canning advice, this video will help simplify the process and build your confidence in the kitchen.

Read the full blog post here:
👉 https://homesteadingfamily.com/do-you-need-to-sterilize-canning-jars-before-canning/

Grab my FREE Every Time You Can Checklist:
👉 https://homesteadingfamily.com/confident-canner-podcast

#Canning #WaterBathCanning #PressureCanning #CanningTips

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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

Meals 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-workshop

FREE PDF DOWNLOADS:
- Homesteading Family's Favorite Holiday Recipes - Grab all of our family’s favorite holiday recipes. https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-holiday-recipes
- 5 Steps to a More Self-Sufficient Life - Simple steps anyone can take wherever they are to start a more self-sufficient lifestyle. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsYT
- Thrive Wellness Checklist - A simple guide for healthy living: https://homesteadingfamily.com/TWC_YT
- Permaculture for Your Homestead- An introduction to permaculture with some strategies for applying it to one’s homestead and garden.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/PFYH_YT
- Carolyn’s Cottage Garden herb list - Carolyn’s favorite herbs for growing at home.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/CGHL_YT
- Carolyn’s Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles - These easy casseroles are a life-saver for busy weeks! https://homesteadingfamily.com/MABC_YT
- Your FREE Guide to Preserving Eggs - Grab your guide to preserving eggs with multiple methods. https://homesteadingfamily.com/Eggs_YT
- 5 Steps to a Healthy Garden - Get an explanation of what makes healthy soil and 5 steps you can take to improve your garden. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsGardenYT
- Save the Crumbs- Several Recipes for using bread leftovers, a less committal entry to bread than the workshop. https://homesteadingfamily.com/STC_YT
- Fearless Fermenting- A simple guide on basic lacto-ferments. https://homesteadingfamily.com/FF_YT
- Fermenting Tomatoes - Easiest and fastest tomato preservation: https://homesteadingfamily.com/FT_YT
- Preserving Culinary Herbs - Downloadable, step-by-step directions to drying, freezing, and salting culinary herbs. https://homesteadingfamily.com/PCH_YT
- Render Your Own Lard - Grab these easy instructions on how to render your own lard. https://homesteadingfamily.com/RYL_YT
- Grandma Lynn's Blueberry Buckle - A delicious dessert anytime of year: https://homesteadingfamily.com/BB_YT

YouTube Video VVV1OTlXNVRUUEF1Y1ZOODNUWVF0Q3FRLlF1NGV5cFlQMXl3

The Truth About Sterilizing Canning Jars

views July 1st

What does it really look like to manage a large homestead garden? In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, I'm joined by my oldest daughter, Rachel, who has taken over management of our main crop garden this year. We sit down for a candid conversation about what's working, what we're learning, and a few garden bloopers that prove even experienced gardeners don't always get it right!

Rachel shares what it means to be responsible for a garden without having to do all the labor herself, how we're involving younger children in the garden, and some of the systems we're putting in place to make gardening easier and more sustainable year after year.

We also talk about sprinkler timers, compost surprises, cats in freshly planted beds, and Rachel's best advice for both new and experienced gardeners.

In this episode, we cover:

🌱 How our family manages the main crop garden together
🌱 The difference between responsibility and doing all the work yourself
🌱 Practical ways to involve children of all ages in the garden
🌱 New watering systems we're testing this season
🌱 Garden mistakes, lessons learned, and funny stories from this year
🌱 Rachel's top tips for staying on top of your garden without feeling overwhelmed

One of my favorite takeaways from this conversation is Rachel's reminder that daily observation is one of the most valuable gardening habits you can develop. A few minutes walking through the garden each day can help you catch problems early, harvest crops at the right time, and enjoy the process a whole lot more.

🛏️ American Blossom Linens - Thanks to American Blossom Linens for sponsoring this podcast. We love their products because they're designed to last for years and are backed by an impressive 2-year money-back guarantee. They're also made with a focus on reducing unnecessary chemicals and toxins in the products you use every day. Use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY2026" for 15% off your order: https://homesteadingfamily.com/s-american-blossom-linens

Time Stamps:
0:00 - Introduction
1:45 - Chit Chat
5:27 - American Blossom Linens
7:54 - 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

Meals 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-workshop

FREE PDF DOWNLOADS:
- Homesteading Family's Favorite Holiday Recipes - Grab all of our family’s favorite holiday recipes. https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-holiday-recipes
- 5 Steps to a More Self-Sufficient Life - Simple steps anyone can take wherever they are to start a more self-sufficient lifestyle. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsYT
- Thrive Wellness Checklist - A simple guide for healthy living: https://homesteadingfamily.com/TWC_YT
- Permaculture for Your Homestead- An introduction to permaculture with some strategies for applying it to one’s homestead and garden.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/PFYH_YT
- Carolyn’s Cottage Garden herb list - Carolyn’s favorite herbs for growing at home.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/CGHL_YT
- Carolyn’s Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles - These easy casseroles are a life-saver for busy weeks! https://homesteadingfamily.com/MABC_YT
- Your FREE Guide to Preserving Eggs - Grab your guide to preserving eggs with multiple methods. https://homesteadingfamily.com/Eggs_YT
- 5 Steps to a Healthy Garden - Get an explanation of what makes healthy soil and 5 steps you can take to improve your garden. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsGardenYT
- Save the Crumbs- Several Recipes for using bread leftovers, a less committal entry to bread than the workshop. https://homesteadingfamily.com/STC_YT
- Fearless Fermenting- A simple guide on basic lacto-ferments. https://homesteadingfamily.com/FF_YT
- Fermenting Tomatoes - Easiest and fastest tomato preservation: https://homesteadingfamily.com/FT_YT
- Preserving Culinary Herbs - Downloadable, step-by-step directions to drying, freezing, and salting culinary herbs. https://homesteadingfamily.com/PCH_YT

What does it really look like to manage a large homestead garden? In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, I'm joined by my oldest daughter, Rachel, who has taken over management of our main crop garden this year. We sit down for a candid conversation about what's working, what we're learning, and a few garden bloopers that prove even experienced gardeners don't always get it right!

Rachel shares what it means to be responsible for a garden without having to do all the labor herself, how we're involving younger children in the garden, and some of the systems we're putting in place to make gardening easier and more sustainable year after year.

We also talk about sprinkler timers, compost surprises, cats in freshly planted beds, and Rachel's best advice for both new and experienced gardeners.

In this episode, we cover:

🌱 How our family manages the main crop garden together
🌱 The difference between responsibility and doing all the work yourself
🌱 Practical ways to involve children of all ages in the garden
🌱 New watering systems we're testing this season
🌱 Garden mistakes, lessons learned, and funny stories from this year
🌱 Rachel's top tips for staying on top of your garden without feeling overwhelmed

One of my favorite takeaways from this conversation is Rachel's reminder that daily observation is one of the most valuable gardening habits you can develop. A few minutes walking through the garden each day can help you catch problems early, harvest crops at the right time, and enjoy the process a whole lot more.

🛏️ American Blossom Linens - Thanks to American Blossom Linens for sponsoring this podcast. We love their products because they're designed to last for years and are backed by an impressive 2-year money-back guarantee. They're also made with a focus on reducing unnecessary chemicals and toxins in the products you use every day. Use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY2026" for 15% off your order: https://homesteadingfamily.com/s-american-blossom-linens

Time Stamps:
0:00 - Introduction
1:45 - Chit Chat
5:27 - American Blossom Linens
7:54 - 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

Meals 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-workshop

FREE PDF DOWNLOADS:
- Homesteading Family's Favorite Holiday Recipes - Grab all of our family’s favorite holiday recipes. https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-holiday-recipes
- 5 Steps to a More Self-Sufficient Life - Simple steps anyone can take wherever they are to start a more self-sufficient lifestyle. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsYT
- Thrive Wellness Checklist - A simple guide for healthy living: https://homesteadingfamily.com/TWC_YT
- Permaculture for Your Homestead- An introduction to permaculture with some strategies for applying it to one’s homestead and garden.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/PFYH_YT
- Carolyn’s Cottage Garden herb list - Carolyn’s favorite herbs for growing at home.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/CGHL_YT
- Carolyn’s Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles - These easy casseroles are a life-saver for busy weeks! https://homesteadingfamily.com/MABC_YT
- Your FREE Guide to Preserving Eggs - Grab your guide to preserving eggs with multiple methods. https://homesteadingfamily.com/Eggs_YT
- 5 Steps to a Healthy Garden - Get an explanation of what makes healthy soil and 5 steps you can take to improve your garden. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsGardenYT
- Save the Crumbs- Several Recipes for using bread leftovers, a less committal entry to bread than the workshop. https://homesteadingfamily.com/STC_YT
- Fearless Fermenting- A simple guide on basic lacto-ferments. https://homesteadingfamily.com/FF_YT
- Fermenting Tomatoes - Easiest and fastest tomato preservation: https://homesteadingfamily.com/FT_YT
- Preserving Culinary Herbs - Downloadable, step-by-step directions to drying, freezing, and salting culinary herbs. https://homesteadingfamily.com/PCH_YT

YouTube Video VVV1OTlXNVRUUEF1Y1ZOODNUWVF0Q3FRLjdXeHh4T0Y0NDBn

Our Daughter Took Over the Garden... Here's What Happened

views June 27th

Looking for a simple, natural way to soften rough hands and care for dry skin? This easy homemade sugar scrub is one of our favorite DIY body care recipes because it uses simple ingredients, takes just minutes to make, and works wonderfully.

In this video, Abigail shows you step-by-step how to make a homemade sugar scrub that gently exfoliates while nourishing your skin. Whether you're spending your days in the garden, preserving food, caring for animals, or simply dealing with dry skin, this is an easy recipe you'll find yourself making again and again.

Here at Homesteading Family, we love learning practical skills that help us care for our homes and families naturally. Homemade sugar scrub is a great place to start because it's affordable, customizable, and makes a wonderful handmade gift.

In this video, you'll learn:
• How to make homemade sugar scrub
• The best ingredients to use
• Why sugar is a gentle natural exfoliant
• Ways to customize your scrub with essential oils
• Tips for storing and gifting your sugar scrub

Get the full recipe and tutorial here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/easy-homemade-sugar-scrub/

What are your favorite homemade body care products? Let us know in the comments below!

#HomemadeSugarScrub #NaturalSkincare #DIYSkincare 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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

Meals 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-workshop

FREE PDF DOWNLOADS:
- Homesteading Family's Favorite Holiday Recipes - Grab all of our family’s favorite holiday recipes. https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-holiday-recipes
- 5 Steps to a More Self-Sufficient Life - Simple steps anyone can take wherever they are to start a more self-sufficient lifestyle. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsYT
- Thrive Wellness Checklist - A simple guide for healthy living: https://homesteadingfamily.com/TWC_YT
- Permaculture for Your Homestead- An introduction to permaculture with some strategies for applying it to one’s homestead and garden.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/PFYH_YT
- Carolyn’s Cottage Garden herb list - Carolyn’s favorite herbs for growing at home.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/CGHL_YT
- Carolyn’s Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles - These easy casseroles are a life-saver for busy weeks! https://homesteadingfamily.com/MABC_YT
- Your FREE Guide to Preserving Eggs - Grab your guide to preserving eggs with multiple methods. https://homesteadingfamily.com/Eggs_YT
- 5 Steps to a Healthy Garden - Get an explanation of what makes healthy soil and 5 steps you can take to improve your garden. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsGardenYT
- Save the Crumbs- Several Recipes for using bread leftovers, a less committal entry to bread than the workshop. https://homesteadingfamily.com/STC_YT
- Fearless Fermenting- A simple guide on basic lacto-ferments. https://homesteadingfamily.com/FF_YT
- Fermenting Tomatoes - Easiest and fastest tomato preservation: https://homesteadingfamily.com/FT_YT
- Preserving Culinary Herbs - Downloadable, step-by-step directions to drying, freezing, and salting culinary herbs. https://homesteadingfamily.com/PCH_YT
- Render Your Own Lard - Grab these easy instructions on how to render your own lard. https://homesteadingfamily.com/RYL_YT
- Grandma Lynn's Blueberry Buckle - A delicious dessert anytime of year: https://homesteadingfamily.com/BB_YT

Looking for a simple, natural way to soften rough hands and care for dry skin? This easy homemade sugar scrub is one of our favorite DIY body care recipes because it uses simple ingredients, takes just minutes to make, and works wonderfully.

In this video, Abigail shows you step-by-step how to make a homemade sugar scrub that gently exfoliates while nourishing your skin. Whether you're spending your days in the garden, preserving food, caring for animals, or simply dealing with dry skin, this is an easy recipe you'll find yourself making again and again.

Here at Homesteading Family, we love learning practical skills that help us care for our homes and families naturally. Homemade sugar scrub is a great place to start because it's affordable, customizable, and makes a wonderful handmade gift.

In this video, you'll learn:
• How to make homemade sugar scrub
• The best ingredients to use
• Why sugar is a gentle natural exfoliant
• Ways to customize your scrub with essential oils
• Tips for storing and gifting your sugar scrub

Get the full recipe and tutorial here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/easy-homemade-sugar-scrub/

What are your favorite homemade body care products? Let us know in the comments below!

#HomemadeSugarScrub #NaturalSkincare #DIYSkincare

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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

Meals 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-workshop

FREE PDF DOWNLOADS:
- Homesteading Family's Favorite Holiday Recipes - Grab all of our family’s favorite holiday recipes. https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-holiday-recipes
- 5 Steps to a More Self-Sufficient Life - Simple steps anyone can take wherever they are to start a more self-sufficient lifestyle. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsYT
- Thrive Wellness Checklist - A simple guide for healthy living: https://homesteadingfamily.com/TWC_YT
- Permaculture for Your Homestead- An introduction to permaculture with some strategies for applying it to one’s homestead and garden.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/PFYH_YT
- Carolyn’s Cottage Garden herb list - Carolyn’s favorite herbs for growing at home.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/CGHL_YT
- Carolyn’s Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles - These easy casseroles are a life-saver for busy weeks! https://homesteadingfamily.com/MABC_YT
- Your FREE Guide to Preserving Eggs - Grab your guide to preserving eggs with multiple methods. https://homesteadingfamily.com/Eggs_YT
- 5 Steps to a Healthy Garden - Get an explanation of what makes healthy soil and 5 steps you can take to improve your garden. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsGardenYT
- Save the Crumbs- Several Recipes for using bread leftovers, a less committal entry to bread than the workshop. https://homesteadingfamily.com/STC_YT
- Fearless Fermenting- A simple guide on basic lacto-ferments. https://homesteadingfamily.com/FF_YT
- Fermenting Tomatoes - Easiest and fastest tomato preservation: https://homesteadingfamily.com/FT_YT
- Preserving Culinary Herbs - Downloadable, step-by-step directions to drying, freezing, and salting culinary herbs. https://homesteadingfamily.com/PCH_YT
- Render Your Own Lard - Grab these easy instructions on how to render your own lard. https://homesteadingfamily.com/RYL_YT
- Grandma Lynn's Blueberry Buckle - A delicious dessert anytime of year: https://homesteadingfamily.com/BB_YT

539 19

YouTube Video VVV1OTlXNVRUUEF1Y1ZOODNUWVF0Q3FRLjdxNnk0TE5pQUVz

Stop Buying Expensive Body Scrubs

4.2K views June 24th

YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS!

HOMESTEAD KITCHEN MAGAZINE

Learn how to make the most out of simple, seasonal produce in your own kitchen with Homestead Kitchen magazine. With monthly inspiration on growing, cooking and preserving, you’ll be filling your table and your pantry with delicious, new, homestead goodness every month.

Subscribe today for just $1

How to Homestead Anywhere Crash Course

Join me for a FREE live virtual event January 5th – 9th

Close

Get simple, actionable steps you can take right now to join the homesteading movement, whether you live in a

high-rise apartment, a suburban neighborhood or on multiple acres.