Desperate to grow, cook, and preserve real food for your family in only 5-10 hours a week, but stuck as a new homesteader looking for practical, tried and true methods that work?
You wanted those pantry shelves filled yesterday, but the more you try, the more it seems a distant pipe dream. Online content is filled with impractical, untried homesteading advice, which wastes your precious time and money.
Everyday Homesteading steps in with practical, tested solutions, cutting through the chaos with clear plans tailored for busy beginners to reclaim your family’s health and independence through gardening, raising livestock, fresh seasonal cooking, herbal medicine and safe food preservation.
Hosted by veteran homesteaders, Josh and Carolyn Thomas, who grow 70% of their family’s food while running two businesses and homeschooling their large family, they have mastered practical homesteading for busy modern families. They have taught hundreds of thousands of new homesteaders to thrive with real-life homesteading through their online platforms Homesteading Family and School of Traditional Skills.
Tune in weekly to learn how to grow, cook, and preserve your family’s food, ditch health-destroying toxins, and save money monthly on groceries, all while building strong relationships and a sustainable legacy for your kids. Hit play now!
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Five “weeds,” tons of medicine. In today’s Everyday Homesteading episode, Carolyn sits down with herbalist Dr. Patrick Jones to unpack practical, safe uses for five common wild herbs: mallow/marshmallow/hollyhock (roots), plantain (leaf), burdock (root), stinging nettle (leaf/seed/root), and mullein (leaf/flower/root). What you’ll learn: Mallow family roots for soothing mucous membranes and calming “die lines” in stubborn wounds Plantain for punctures, drawing out toxins, and gentle gut support ...
Let’s talk about starting homesteading when money is tight and time is even tighter. In this Everyday Homesteading episode, we show you how to begin right where you are, in the kitchen, and build skills that naturally grow into gardens, livestock, and a well-stocked pantry. No acreage required, no 40 extra hours a week, no influencer-level gear. In this episode: • Why every homestead should start in the kitchen • Budget homesteading 101, price-per-unit, and ingredient-based shopping • Farmers ma...
In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, we're taking the fear out of canning and putting confidence back in your kitchen. If you’ve ever thought, “I’ve tried so many tutorials and still don’t feel like I actually know what I’m doing,” or “I’m terrified I’ll waste good food or make my family sick,” this one is for you. I'm breaking canning safety down into simple, step-by-step principles so you can stock your shelves with jars you trust. What we cover Why a sealed lid alone does not equal safe ...
Why do so many homesteaders quit before they ever see their gardens thrive or their shelves fill with home-canned food? In this episode of Everyday Homesteading , I sit down with my friend Melissa K. Norris to talk honestly about burnout, expectations that don’t match real life, and the simple habits that make homesteading sustainable. We share personal stories, the mistakes we made, and the practical rhythms that helped us keep going. If you’ve felt overwhelmed, I want this conversation to remi...
If your garden struggled this year — plants wilting, pests taking over, and harvests falling short — don’t lose heart. The problem isn’t your green thumb… it’s your soil. 🌱 In this episode of Everyday Homesteading , we are going back to the basics and talking about the foundation of every healthy, productive garden: living soil. We’ll walk you through the six essential elements your soil needs to thrive, from minerals and organic matter to moisture, oxygen, and microbial life, and share practic...
We’ve got some BIG news to share with you! 🎉 After nearly seven years and more than 250 episodes, we’re wrapping up The Pantry Chat Podcast… but don’t worry, this isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of something new! 👉 Welcome to the Everyday Homesteading Podcast. In this episode, we reflect on the heart behind the Pantry Chat, share what’s happening on the homestead right now, and reveal why we’re relaunching under a new name. The mission hasn’t changed; we’re still here to encourage you, equip...
In this episode of the Pantry Chat, I sit down with my friend Rory Groves from @thegrovestead to talk about his family’s journey from a tech career in the city to raising six kids on a homestead in Minnesota. Rory’s story will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt the tug to get out of the rat race and build something lasting with their family. What started with a single tomato plant on a city balcony turned into a thriving homestead of gardens, orchards, and livestock. But more than that, it tur...
Do you ever wonder how to safely use herbal medicine at home? Whether it’s tinctures, teas, powders, or capsules, figuring out the right dose can feel a little overwhelming, especially if you’re just starting out. In this week’s Pantry Chat, I’m joined by Dr. Patrick Jones from HomegrownHerbalist.net to break it all down in a simple, practical way. We’re covering: 🌿 The pros and cons of different herbal preparations (tinctures, teas, capsules, powders, and salves) 🌿 How to safely dose herbs fo...
Honey is so much more than a sweetener... It’s medicine. In this episode of the Pantry Chat, I sit down with beekeeper and herbalist Kaylee Richardson from The Honeystead to explore how combining bee products like honey, propolis, and beeswax with herbs can take your natural remedies to the next level. We’ll cover: 🌿 Why bees are the “original herbalists” 🍯 How honey makes herbal medicine more effective (and better tasting!) 🛡️ Using propolis as a powerful antimicrobial for throat sprays and ...
It’s midsummer here on the homestead, and that means the harvest is rolling in, the to-do list is growing, and the kitchen floor is… sticky. In this Pantry Chat, we're talking about: 🌱 What to plant now for a winter harvest (and why August is the perfect time) 🐛 How to deal with grasshopper invasions when you can’t keep chickens 🥬 The easiest way to grow lettuce without spending forever washing it 💛 Why gratitude changes everything when homestead life feels overwhelming 🌳 Lessons from our f...
Want to preserve the fresh flavors of summer herbs to use all year long? In this video, I’m showing you how to make herbal oils and herbal vinegars, a simple, beginner-friendly way to infuse all that goodness into your pantry staples. We’ll talk about how to safely make flavored oils (yes, there are safety concerns!), and how herbal vinegars are a perfect, safe project for kids and beginners. These make amazing salad dressings, cooking ingredients, and even homemade gifts! 🌿 In this video: - Wh...
Is your homestead truly secure? In this Pantry Chat episode, I'm joined by Tim Eng (veteran, real estate agent, and fellow homesteader) to unpack the essentials of homestead security. From predator prevention and property layout to firearms training, fencing, alarms, and community defense, this is a must-watch for anyone serious about protecting their homestead. 👉 Topics covered: - Practical ways to secure your home and barn - How to build awareness and reduce vulnerability - The role of firear...
Discover essential strategies for maintaining a thriving garden even in summer heat with 7 water-saving tips, such as effective mulching, strategic deep watering, and utilizing drip irrigation. The hosts also explore traditional dry farming methods and the importance of selecting heat-tolerant plant varieties. Additionally, the episode offers a glimpse into family life on the homestead, discussing wedding planning, raising capable children, and embracing the constant busyness that comes with growth.
In today’s episode, we dive into a summer gardening classic: how to manage insect pressure without chemicals, using simple, natural and organic pest control strategies you can start implementing today. For more information on organic pest control, check out our blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/garden-pest-control/ In this episode, we cover: 🌿 Seasonal chit-chat: What’s thriving in our North Idaho garden: garlic scapes, raspberries, Napa cabbage, red currants, hops, asparagus, shal...
In this episode, Carolyn sits down with Dana K. White of A Slob Comes Clean to talk all things kitchen and pantry organization—without the guilt, stress, or need to pull everything out first! Dana shares her simple, realistic system for decluttering that actually works for busy homesteading families, including her “container concept,” how to let go of food no one’s going to eat, and why organizing isn’t about perfection—it’s about function. For the full breakdown and extra resources, visit the b...
In this episode, Josh sits down with Jade Koyle of Grand Teton Ancient Grains to dive deep into the world of ancient grains like einkorn, emmer, and spelt. They discuss how regenerative agriculture practices not only rebuild soil health but also produce more nutrient-dense crops, leading to better health for your family and the planet. Jade shares why ancient grains haven't been hybridized or altered like modern wheat, and how their original structure makes them easier to digest and more nourish...
Seed-saving is a homesteading skill that takes time and practice. Many feel intimidated and overwhelmed with what can feel like endless information on the topic, but with this seed saving for beginners guide, you can start with the basics. You certainly don't need a college degree to get started with some seed saving on your homestead! For more information, visit the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/seed-saving-for-beginners/ Thanks to Amercian Blossom Linens for sponsoring this ep...
With the preservation season upon us, you may already be feeling the pressure to "get it all done" while also maintaining the home, the garden and the livestock... but what if I told you there's a secret hack for saving time when preserving food at home? Join me for today's Pantry Chat podcast as I share my tips! For more information on what our preserving year looks like, visit the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/food-preservation-a-year-at-a-glance/ Grab your Modern Homesteading...
Join me with my guest, Amy Cross from The CrossLegacy , as we discuss how to properly harvest, wash, dry and store your produce so it lasts weeks (or months) longer! Amy is filled with great tips, from how to know how to wash different types of produce to which items are "produce buddies" or "produce frienemies." For more details, visit the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-keep-fruit-fresh-longer/ Be sure to check out Amy's Zero Waste Produce Guide (use coupon code "Homestea...
Good quality coffee is hard to come by, especially a blend that you can actually enjoy black. Join us in this podcast episode with Lore Coffee Roasters' Graysen and Nicholas as we dig deeper into what makes quality coffee, why sourcing is important, and how to know it's mold and mycotoxin free. Give Lore Coffee a try with our custom half-caff blend and be sure to use coupon code "Homestead15" for 15% off your first purchase: https://homesteadingfamily.com/half-caff-coffee-blend Check out Lore Co...
With summer comes scrapes, burns, stings and bites. Let's prepare our herbal medicine cabinets now so we're armed and ready for the season! In this episode, I'm sharing three of my go-to remedies for the summer, including a calendula sunburn salve, plantain bug bite balm and a peppermint lemon cooling spray. For the printable, step-by-step recipes, visit the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-start-using-medicinal-herbs/ Thanks to Azure Standard for sponsoring this podcast. If...
If you're on the fence about buying a freeze dryer, these 10 surprising foods you can freeze dry may convince you to make that purchase. What foods can you freeze dry? Let us share our favorites with you! For links to these tutorials, visit the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/10-surprising-foods-you-can-freeze-dry/ Sign up for my freeze drying class, The Abundant Pantry: Freeze Drying here: https://classes.homesteadingfamily.com/the-abundant-pantry-freeze-drying-evergreen Grab my ...
Justin Rhodes joined Josh in this episode of the Pantry Chat to discuss recovery on the homestead after Hurricane Helene and homestead builds, which happen to be the topic of his new book. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/HFWelcomeV...
The chicken, the pig and the dairy cow! They're the three essential homestead animals for ultimate resiliency. For more details and any links mentioned, visit the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/best-homestead-animals/ Thanks to Lehman's for sponsoring this podcast. Visit https://lehmans.com and shop all their amazing analog products! TIME STAMPS 0:00 - Intro 0:31 - Chit Chat 6:55 - Lehman's 9:44 - Year of Rest 12:10 - What to Start First on a Homestead 16:06 - Main Topic ~~~~~~~~...
You’re incredibly busy! One thing that shouldn't add to your stress is figuring out how to get meals on the table. Join me as I share with you how from-scratch cooking can transform your home into a haven of wholesome, delicious meals. Learn more and catch my other podcast episode where I shared how I get three home-cooked meals on the table every day here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/3-home-cooked-meals-every-day/ Thank you to ForJars for sponsoring this podcast. Use promo code Homesteadingf...
Compost is key to supercharging your garden soil, and whether you purchase it or make food scraps, manure, worm, or mushroom compost, you need to know how to use compost to get the most out of this black gold. For more information, visit the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-use-compost/ This podcast is sponsored by American Blossom Linens. Grab your USA-made linens and other products with a 20% off discount! Use coupon code “HOMESTEADINGFAMILY” for 20% off and free shipping ...
Have you been lured by the idea of an herbal cleansing detox? In this modern world, we are exposed to more toxins than ever before. Josh and I have been going through a detox journey under the supervision of our healthcare practitioner, so a detox protocol is at the forefront of our minds. Have you been lured by the idea of an herbal cleansing detox? Let's take a look at the basics, including what is and isn't a safe approach. For more information, visit the blog post here: https://homesteadingf...
Every spring, we eagerly await the emerging soil and can't wait to get our hands dirty again! Then, we know all too well the feeling of garden overwhelm that quickly follows. But it doesn't have to be this way! Here are our best tips for avoiding garden overwhelm and enjoying many of our favorite times of the year. For more information and any links mentioned, visit the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/avoiding-garden-overwhelm/ - Check out the Seedtime App here: https://homesteadi...
If you're wondering what an EMP is and whether you should investigate it, this podcast is for you. If you think this doesn't pertain to you, let me ask you if you feel like your appliances or electronics aren't lasting as long as they used to. It could be due to small electrical power surges coming into your home every day, overtaxing those appliances! For more information, visit the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/what-is-an-emp/ Check out EMP Shield and use coupon code "Homestea...
If you feel like you're behind on garden planning, or maybe you didn't even do any garden cleanup last fall and are feeling the pressure, this Pantry Chat podcast is for you. It's very rarely too late to do something in the garden as we have so many options. It may not seem ideal, but here are our best late start gardening tips. - For links and more information, visit the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/late-start-gardening-tips-its-not-too-late/ - Check out American Blossom Linen...
