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Herbal Remedies

A jar of hops and a jar of hops tincture.

Hops Tincture Recipe

Learn how to make a hops tincture recipe at home for calm nerves, better sleep, and digestive support using a simple, trusted method.

A woman holding a mug filled with cold and flu tea.

Best Tea for a Cough

There’s nothing like a soothing cup of herbal tea with honey and lemon for a sore throat and cough, but which is the best

Herbal honey and fresh herbs.

Herb Infused Honey Recipe

We all know the great benefits of honey, both for medicinal purposes and its delicious culinary uses. Have you considered making your own infused

Fresh picked calendula flowers on a cutting board.

Calendula Oil Recipe

Organic calendula oil infusion is essential for all herbal medicine cabinets. Use this tutorial to make it yourself, and enjoy the benefits.

Fresh basil growing in the garden.

How to Grow Basil

Use this guide to learn how to grow basil from seed in an indoor pot or plant outdoors. It won’t take long before you

Chamomile flowers.

Growing Chamomile

The benefits of growing chamomile go far beyond a good tea. Learn how to use this immune-building plant for skin, hair and more.

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Is complete self-sufficiency really possible? Or is there something even more important that homesteaders should focus on?

For years, we thought the goal was to produce everything ourselves. But after nearly 25 years of homesteading, we’ve learned that trying to do it all can actually lead to overwhelm, burnout, and less resilience.

In this episode, we’re sharing why skills matter more than self-sufficiency, how community plays a critical role in resilience, and how shifting your mindset can bring more freedom and confidence to your homesteading journey.

Whether you’re just starting out or years into homesteading, this conversation will help you focus on what truly matters.

In this video, we cover:
- Why complete self-sufficiency isn’t realistic
- The difference between self-sufficiency and resilience
- Why building skills matters more than doing everything yourself
- How community strengthens your homestead
- How to avoid burnout and overwhelm

Read the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/self-sufficiency-is-a-myth/

Thanks to Azure Standard for sponsoring this episode! Azure has been our trusted source for bulk foods and pantry staples for years. When we can’t grow or produce something ourselves, Azure Standard is often our first choice. Get 15% off your first order of $100 or more using coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY15" at checkout: https://homesteadingfamily.com/main-azure-standard-b

Time Stamps:
0:00 - Introduction
1:15 - Chit Chat
5:01 - Azure Standard
6:17 - 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
- 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

Is complete self-sufficiency really possible? Or is there something even more important that homesteaders should focus on?

For years, we thought the goal was to produce everything ourselves. But after nearly 25 years of homesteading, we’ve learned that trying to do it all can actually lead to overwhelm, burnout, and less resilience.

In this episode, we’re sharing why skills matter more than self-sufficiency, how community plays a critical role in resilience, and how shifting your mindset can bring more freedom and confidence to your homesteading journey.

Whether you’re just starting out or years into homesteading, this conversation will help you focus on what truly matters.

In this video, we cover:
- Why complete self-sufficiency isn’t realistic
- The difference between self-sufficiency and resilience
- Why building skills matters more than doing everything yourself
- How community strengthens your homestead
- How to avoid burnout and overwhelm

Read the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/self-sufficiency-is-a-myth/

Thanks to Azure Standard for sponsoring this episode! Azure has been our trusted source for bulk foods and pantry staples for years. When we can’t grow or produce something ourselves, Azure Standard is often our first choice. Get 15% off your first order of $100 or more using coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY15" at checkout: https://homesteadingfamily.com/main-azure-standard-b

Time Stamps:
0:00 - Introduction
1:15 - Chit Chat
5:01 - Azure Standard
6:17 - 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
- 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

346 24

YouTube Video VVV1OTlXNVRUUEF1Y1ZOODNUWVF0Q3FRLms5MkM5TkZ4VDJV

The Self-Sufficiency Myth No One Talks About

4.5K views February 28th

Have your dinner rolls ever turned out dry, bland, or disappointing? These soft, buttery sourdough Parker House dinner rolls are the solution.

In this video, Abigail walks you step-by-step through our family’s favorite sourdough dinner roll recipe. These rolls are incredibly soft, rich in flavor, and made with simple, wholesome ingredients like active sourdough starter, buttermilk, butter, and honey. They’ve become a staple in our home, especially for holidays and family gatherings. 

Unlike conventional rolls, sourdough dinner rolls offer deeper flavor, better texture, and improved digestibility. Once you learn this method, you’ll never go back to store-bought rolls again.

What You’ll Learn in This Video:

• How to make soft sourdough Parker House dinner rolls from scratch
• Tips for creating light, fluffy, perfectly risen rolls
• How to properly knead, shape, and proof sourdough dough
• The secret to getting a golden, buttery crust
• How to time your rises for fresh, hot rolls when you need them

Grab the printable recipe with step-by-step directions here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/parker-house-rolls-made-with-sourdough/

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

#sourdoughrecipe #sourdoughrolls #dinnerrollsrecipe

Have your dinner rolls ever turned out dry, bland, or disappointing? These soft, buttery sourdough Parker House dinner rolls are the solution.

In this video, Abigail walks you step-by-step through our family’s favorite sourdough dinner roll recipe. These rolls are incredibly soft, rich in flavor, and made with simple, wholesome ingredients like active sourdough starter, buttermilk, butter, and honey. They’ve become a staple in our home, especially for holidays and family gatherings.

Unlike conventional rolls, sourdough dinner rolls offer deeper flavor, better texture, and improved digestibility. Once you learn this method, you’ll never go back to store-bought rolls again.

What You’ll Learn in This Video:

• How to make soft sourdough Parker House dinner rolls from scratch
• Tips for creating light, fluffy, perfectly risen rolls
• How to properly knead, shape, and proof sourdough dough
• The secret to getting a golden, buttery crust
• How to time your rises for fresh, hot rolls when you need them

Grab the printable recipe with step-by-step directions here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/parker-house-rolls-made-with-sourdough/

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

#sourdoughrecipe #sourdoughrolls #dinnerrollsrecipe

560 45

YouTube Video VVV1OTlXNVRUUEF1Y1ZOODNUWVF0Q3FRLkx0dkpzWDlmR2hn

Our Family's Favorite Sourdough Dinner Rolls Recipe

4.6K views February 25th

Have you ever called the vet… only to realize you didn’t have the answers they needed?

We’ve been there.

Even though we focus on raising healthy, vigorous animals on our homestead, occasionally something happens. A cow goes down. A ewe struggles after lambing. A dog suddenly won’t eat. And when you pick up the phone, the vet starts asking questions you weren’t prepared for.

In this episode, I sit down with longtime veterinarian Dr. Patrick Jones from @HomeGrownHerbalist to talk about exactly what you should know before you call the vet.

We cover:
- What “signalment” means (and why it matters)
- The first vital you should always check
- Why breed and age change everything
- What your vet really wants to know about poop
- How to tell if it’s an emergency tonight or a tomorrow morning issue
- The simple barn-side checks that can save time and stress

This conversation will help you feel calmer, more prepared, and more confident the next time something unexpected happens with your animals.

If you’re raising livestock or caring for animals at home, this is information you’ll want to tuck away before you need it.

🔗 Read the full blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/things-to-know-before-calling-the-vet/
🌿 Learn more from Dr. Patrick Jones: https://homegrownherbalist.net

Thanks to the sponsor of this podcast, Farmhouse Teas! Check out the Plumb Tuckered Out tea (and all the rest of our favorites), and be sure to use the coupon code "HSPodcast" for 10% off your order (one time use per customer): https://homesteadingfamily.com/FHTeas-Favorites

Time Stamps:

0:00 - Introduction
2:57 - Farmhouse Teas
5:57 - 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
- 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

Have you ever called the vet… only to realize you didn’t have the answers they needed?

We’ve been there.

Even though we focus on raising healthy, vigorous animals on our homestead, occasionally something happens. A cow goes down. A ewe struggles after lambing. A dog suddenly won’t eat. And when you pick up the phone, the vet starts asking questions you weren’t prepared for.

In this episode, I sit down with longtime veterinarian Dr. Patrick Jones from @HomeGrownHerbalist to talk about exactly what you should know before you call the vet.

We cover:
- What “signalment” means (and why it matters)
- The first vital you should always check
- Why breed and age change everything
- What your vet really wants to know about poop
- How to tell if it’s an emergency tonight or a tomorrow morning issue
- The simple barn-side checks that can save time and stress

This conversation will help you feel calmer, more prepared, and more confident the next time something unexpected happens with your animals.

If you’re raising livestock or caring for animals at home, this is information you’ll want to tuck away before you need it.

🔗 Read the full blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/things-to-know-before-calling-the-vet/
🌿 Learn more from Dr. Patrick Jones: https://homegrownherbalist.net

Thanks to the sponsor of this podcast, Farmhouse Teas! Check out the Plumb Tuckered Out tea (and all the rest of our favorites), and be sure to use the coupon code "HSPodcast" for 10% off your order (one time use per customer): https://homesteadingfamily.com/FHTeas-Favorites

Time Stamps:

0:00 - Introduction
2:57 - Farmhouse Teas
5:57 - 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
- 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 VVV1OTlXNVRUUEF1Y1ZOODNUWVF0Q3FRLm05RmVlZ2szbW00

Don't Call the Vet Until You Check This

views February 21st

Bread doesn’t fail because you’re bad at it. It fails when we treat it like a formula instead of a living process.

In this video, I’m sharing why bread is such an important homesteading skill and how learning to read your dough removes the guesswork from baking. We’ll talk about why flour amounts change, how to know when kneading is done, and the simple tests that help you get consistent bread every single time.

If you’ve tried bread before and felt frustrated or get inconsistent results, this approach will completely change how you see bread making.

👉 Read the full blog post here:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/the-secret-to-reliable-bread/

🎥 Free Bread Training
If you want to see these techniques in action, I’m hosting a free bread training where I walk through each step on video and show you exactly what to look for.
👉 Sign up here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcast-bread

🛏 Today’s Sponsor: American Blossom Linens
Most sheets are made with toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, PFAS, and flame retardants. American Blossom Linens makes toxin-free sheets right here in the USA, and they’re built to last. Use code HOMESTEADINGFAMILY2026 to get 15% off your order (one use per customer). They also offer a 2-year money-back guarantee, so you can try them risk-free: https://homesteadingfamily.com/s-american-blossom-linens

Time Stamps:
0:00 - Introduction
2:15 - American Blossom Linens
5:53 - 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
- 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

Bread doesn’t fail because you’re bad at it. It fails when we treat it like a formula instead of a living process.

In this video, I’m sharing why bread is such an important homesteading skill and how learning to read your dough removes the guesswork from baking. We’ll talk about why flour amounts change, how to know when kneading is done, and the simple tests that help you get consistent bread every single time.

If you’ve tried bread before and felt frustrated or get inconsistent results, this approach will completely change how you see bread making.

👉 Read the full blog post here:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/the-secret-to-reliable-bread/

🎥 Free Bread Training
If you want to see these techniques in action, I’m hosting a free bread training where I walk through each step on video and show you exactly what to look for.
👉 Sign up here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcast-bread

🛏 Today’s Sponsor: American Blossom Linens
Most sheets are made with toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, PFAS, and flame retardants. American Blossom Linens makes toxin-free sheets right here in the USA, and they’re built to last. Use code HOMESTEADINGFAMILY2026 to get 15% off your order (one use per customer). They also offer a 2-year money-back guarantee, so you can try them risk-free: https://homesteadingfamily.com/s-american-blossom-linens

Time Stamps:
0:00 - Introduction
2:15 - American Blossom Linens
5:53 - 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
- 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 VVV1OTlXNVRUUEF1Y1ZOODNUWVF0Q3FRLm1Kb2NVWVBEZUw0

How to Read Your Dough (Instead of Hoping for the Best)

views February 14th

If I were building a barn from scratch, where would I start?

In this video, I walk through how I’d design a barn that works whether you’re starting with one stall or planning to grow over time. This isn’t about building the biggest or fanciest barn. It’s about designing something functional, flexible, and realistic for a working homestead.

I share the core components every barn needs, why a 12×12 stall is the ideal modular starting point, and how to lay things out so you can expand later without tearing things down or wasting money. If you’re building on a budget, dealing with winter weather, or trying to make daily chores easier, this approach will save you time and frustration.

I also show how stall layout, breezeway width, ventilation, access, and storage all work together — and what I think through before I ever start setting posts.

👉 Read the full blog post and see the barn layout breakdown here:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/barn-design-must-haves/

In this video, I cover:

- Where I’d start if I were building a barn small and in stages
- Why I recommend 12×12 stalls for most homestead animals
- How wide and tall a breezeway should be, and why it matters
- How I plan for ventilation, light, and sanitation
- What I build now vs. what I plan for later
- How to design a barn that grows with your homestead

Whether you’re housing one dairy cow or working toward a larger setup, this barn layout works at nearly any scale.

👍 If this video is helpful, give it a like
🔔 Subscribe for more practical homesteading advice
💬 Drop your barn questions in the comments — I read them

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

#barnbuild #barndesigns

If I were building a barn from scratch, where would I start?

In this video, I walk through how I’d design a barn that works whether you’re starting with one stall or planning to grow over time. This isn’t about building the biggest or fanciest barn. It’s about designing something functional, flexible, and realistic for a working homestead.

I share the core components every barn needs, why a 12×12 stall is the ideal modular starting point, and how to lay things out so you can expand later without tearing things down or wasting money. If you’re building on a budget, dealing with winter weather, or trying to make daily chores easier, this approach will save you time and frustration.

I also show how stall layout, breezeway width, ventilation, access, and storage all work together — and what I think through before I ever start setting posts.

👉 Read the full blog post and see the barn layout breakdown here:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/barn-design-must-haves/

In this video, I cover:

- Where I’d start if I were building a barn small and in stages
- Why I recommend 12×12 stalls for most homestead animals
- How wide and tall a breezeway should be, and why it matters
- How I plan for ventilation, light, and sanitation
- What I build now vs. what I plan for later
- How to design a barn that grows with your homestead

Whether you’re housing one dairy cow or working toward a larger setup, this barn layout works at nearly any scale.

👍 If this video is helpful, give it a like
🔔 Subscribe for more practical homesteading advice
💬 Drop your barn questions in the comments — I read them

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

#barnbuild #barndesigns

YouTube Video VVV1OTlXNVRUUEF1Y1ZOODNUWVF0Q3FRLjJPTDNlMHdlR2JB

How to Design a Barn That Grows With You

views February 11th

How to Homestead Anywhere Crash Course

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

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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.