Innovation and technology serve us in so many different ways. Whether it’s making things more convenient, easier, or faster, new tools and techniques allow us to live our lives in different ways. Needless to say, new isn’t always better. When it comes to the kitchen, wooden kitchen tools still reign supreme on the Winger homestead. On today’s episode, I expand on why these phenomenal tools deserve a place in your kitchen. I explain what you need to do in order to properly clean and care for your...
Feb 21, 2020•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Winter on the homestead has become one of my favorite times of the year. It’s that special time of year when I can come inside, cozy up next to the fire with a warm drink, and lose myself in good book. On today’s episode I’m sharing what I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the winter. I’m also sharing my favorite sources of reading material, including new and used books, audio books, magazines, and more. What are you reading this year? Drop me a comment and share what you’re excited to re...
Feb 19, 2020•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Personal development has been an essential tool over the years. Looking back, I realize that some of the assesments I’ve taken have provided the biggest opportunities for growth. They help point out common personality characteristics and their underlying tendencies. On today’s episode, I’m proud to present a creation of very own. See if you identiy with any of these 4 types of Homesteaders. How can this information help you? Get complimentary access to my full library of resources for homesteade...
Feb 17, 2020•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Do you ever reach the end of the day and wonder where all your time went? Do you look at your “to-do’s” and wonder how you’ll ever get it all done? Fitting the homestead lifestyle into the speed of the modern day world can create some serious problems. When it comes down to it, there’s little we can do to speed up the pace of mother nature. This means as homesteaders that we need to focus on time management in the areas of life that we can control. On today’s episode I share 7 of my favorite way...
Feb 14, 2020•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast One of my favorite days of the year has arrived. The seeds for my garden showed up! If you’re anything like me, you’re in full-on garden prep mode. On a recent episode, I discussed my long-term love for heirloom seeds. On today’s episode, I dive deep into what I have planned for my garden this year. From broccoli to peppers to spinach and everything in between, I explain why I’m planting each of these crops and why some may-or-may not work for you. I also share an important lesson that I learned...
Feb 12, 2020•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Natural health remedies seem to share a certain distinction when it comes to health care. While that may be the case, we’ve found many different herbs and essential oils to be a key component of maintaining good health. On today’s episode, I explore the different tactics that I’m utilizing with my family. This involves everything, including simple habits like getting more sleep and eating less sugar to how to maintain proper gut health. You’ll also get my opinion on the ever important hand-sanit...
Feb 10, 2020•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Few things that strike greater fear into the heart of a homesteader than the word botulism. If you’re anything like me, you’ve come to have a healthy respect for canning safety due to the potential serious consequences of improper canning. On today’s episode I detail why recipes that contain dairy, flour, and high levels of fat shouldn’t be canned. You’ll also learn why canning is the one place in the kitchen where you don’t want to mess around with changing a recipe. • Ready to take lap into th...
Feb 07, 2020•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast I don’t know about you, but we are in the dead of winter out here in Wyoming. Inevitably during this time of year, our chickens just don’t produce the same amount of eggs as they normally do. While the weather is certainly a factor, the are a number of possible reasons why your chicken isn’t producing. If you’re ready to figure out how light, age, molting, and so much more have the potential to dramatically shift the production you’re getting out of your chickens. Don’t worry my friends. I’m not...
Feb 05, 2020•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Frugality is something that I’ve always seen as an admirable quality. As most of you know, this is how I grew up and how Christian and I generally live our lives. Believe it or not, there are times where frugality can hurt you. Today I’m going to address two specific warning signs that frugality is getting the best of you. While I’m not here to preach a right-or-wrong way of doing things, I am encouraging you to take a look at your own habits and behaviors to see if these warning signs are getti...
Feb 03, 2020•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever dreamed of starting your own garden but have no idea on where to start? You are in luck my friends. Starting a garden can be extremely intimidating for any first timer. This episode provides a ground-up plan that is so simple anyone can get into the game. I cover key aspects like checking your gardening zone, what equipment you’ll need, types of seeds, and the benefits of soil testing. • To begin this homesteading journey, head to http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/grow to access m...
Jan 31, 2020•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast For quite some time I was terrified of nitrates. In all honesty, it was a big source of anxiety for a long time. This didn’t relent until sometime last year when I started digging deep into the truth behind nitrates. Come to find out, nitrates aren’t all that bad. Many are even naturally occurring in our favorite meats. Today’s episode is dedicated to busting nitrate related myths and reassuring you that they in fact are not carcinogenic. Be sure to check out the links below for some incredible ...
Jan 29, 2020•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Perhaps the biggest road block anyone faces on the homesteading journey is trying to figure out how to buy land. It’s such a big issue that it prevents most people from considering the homestead life in the first place. On today’s episode, I explain several strategies that we utilized in order to make our homesteading life work. Beyond simple strategies like cleaning up debt and working extra jobs, I explain why the correct mindset can power your through any barrier keeping you from living the h...
Jan 27, 2020•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast As a gardening fanatic, one of my favorite times of the year has arrived. I don’t know about you, but when my seed catalogs arrive at the beginning of the year I find it hard to contain myself. About seven years ago I started using heirloom seeds exclusively. Why did I make the switch? On today’s episodes I dive into many different reasons why I prefer heirloom seeds and the characteristics that make them different from traditional seeds. I even provide my two favorite resources for heirloom see...
Jan 24, 2020•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast I’ve failed in nearly every way imaginable attempting to make sourdough. So why would you listen to me? I’ve taken the lumps so you don’t have to. On today’s episode, I’m walking you step-by-step through my favorite way to make a sourdough starter. Not only have I found this method to be extremely effective, but you’ll be amazed at how simple this process really is. I’m here to show you that heritage cooking doesn’t always have to be difficult. • If you're falling in love with the idea of a...
Jan 22, 2020•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast While I thought that some people might question how we pull off homesteading with kids, it turns out this is one of the most-asked questions among listeners. The truth is, it has everything to do with our parenting style. While I’m sure there are people who will disagree with some of our ideals, this is just me explaining what works for our family on the homestead. It’s not perfect by any means, but our ultimate focus is to get our kids comfortable with being uncomfortable, teach them how to dea...
Jan 20, 2020•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast With the rapid evolution of technology and modern conveniences in our society, it’s easy to ask if the old ways are falling to the wayside. While it’s true that some things are bound to disappear, it’s also true that from the hustle of New York City to the calm of the Wyoming countryside, more-and-more people are discovering homesteading each and every day. It might not be a full-on homestead as you and I know it to be, but people are growing their own food and raising animals despite their loca...
Jan 17, 2020•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Cast iron can be intimidating. With all of the misinformation floating around, it’s easy to understand why some avoid it all together. Cast iron is by far my favorite way to cook, but it can present some real challenges for any new user. Today we cover the difference between standard cast iron, enamel coated cast-iron, when you should and shouldn’t season your pan, what to do with a pre-seasoned pan, some brands to check out, and so much more. I explain what to look out for with garage sale and ...
Jan 15, 2020•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast While I absolutely LOVE living in the country, there are certainly some challenges you have to deal with. One of the biggest challenges is grocery shopping. While we do grow and produce many different food items on our homestead, due to our growing seasons and climate restrictions it simply isn’t possible to produce everything we need on our own. So how do we cope? I’m glad you asked! On today’s episode I’m going to layout my method for supplementing our own produce with market and store bought ...
Jan 13, 2020•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Yes. I said it. I don’t like ‘homesteading' anymore. When I first got involved with ‘homesteading’, the word carried a certain endearing quality. It somehow encompassed the animals, the open fields, the freedom, and the community. Most of all, ‘homesteading’ represented being a bit of a maverick. In the very beginning there weren’t that many homesteaders. Today, it seems everyone is taking their shot at homesteading. No longer is what we call homesteading confined to the farm in Wyoming. Al...
Jan 10, 2020•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast On previous episodes, I’ve discussed how homeschooling has reaped massive benefits in my life. I’ve even discussed how my children are benefitting from the exact same practice. On today’s episode I’m here to pull back the curtain on how Christian and I homeschool our children. I discuss everything including schedules, books we use, the main differences between homeschooling and public schooling, and so much more. • To begin this homesteading journey, head to http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/gr...
Jan 08, 2020•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast When it comes to homesteading, one of the most overlooked essentials is a well-stocked pantry. Whether it’s an unexpected road closure, a blizzard, or a few additional guests, planning for the unexpected is sure to save you time and stress. On today’s episode, I walk you through the absolute must-haves from my very own pantry. Learn why to buy meat in bulk, what fats I always keep on hand, and so much more. • To begin this homesteading journey, head to http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/grow to ...
Jan 06, 2020•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast It seems that today that many kids lack one of the most important skills that leads to long term success in every area of life. This of course is creativity. It seems that creativity could be getting stifled by the evolution of technology. As things become easier and easier to access at the push of a button, we’re filling our free time with mindless activities that don’t allow for precious boredom to set in. Creativity essential to develop is because it teaches us how to solve problems, how to d...
Jan 03, 2020•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Intentionally or unintentionally, sometimes we can hide parts of ourselves that others would really like to see. If you follow me on social media or any of the other places my brand shows up to the world, it might be easy to assume that I always live some perfect curated life. The truth is, we all have things about ourselves that might surprise other people. On today’s episode, I’m here to share some things about myself that I’ve never openly talked about. I’m sure that this episode will turn so...
Jan 01, 2020•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Once again we’ve arrived at that magical time of the year. The special time where hope springs eternal and a new year is upon us. I’ve always loved this last week of the year because it gives me the opportunity to reflect on the past year and plan what’s to come. On today’s episode, I layout the steps I always take to ensure I’m ready for success going into the new year. • To begin this homesteading journey, head to http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/grow to access my full library of resources t...
Dec 30, 2019•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast One of the most common questions when it comes to homesteading is “What do you do to keep the animals warm in the winter?” Naturally, our first instinct is to grab lamps or other forms of heating elements. The thing that most of us forget is that the vast majority or animals are designed to withstand the cold own their own. Above anything else, animals just need a way to get out of the wind and a way to stay dry. On today’s episode I’m going to explain what we do in our coop and provide the esse...
Dec 27, 2019•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Looking back on how things started, it’s truly quite incredible to reflect on how I arrived at the point. For anyone that has followed for any length of time, you’d know that my entire venture into entrepreneurship started with a blog. When I first started, I had no intention of making money. All I really wanted to do was tell my story. It wasn’t until a friend reached out to me asking for advice that I realized the possibilities that were in front of me. If you’ve ever wondered where I got my s...
Dec 23, 2019•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Modern life is convenient, but is this always a good thing? Generally speaking, if something is becoming easier, quality is likely being sacrificed in the process. As things become easier, we become more-and-more comfortable. We become complacent and eventually stop growing. While I’m not here today to bash technology and all of our wonderful modern conveniences, today I’m here to explain why taking on a challenge is essential for our long-term growth. For me, it’s chopping firewood in the cold....
Dec 20, 2019•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Winter in Wyoming means frequent trips outside to grab firewood for our wood stove. So why heat with wood in the first place? Economy, efficiency, and independence highlight the incredible benefits of heating your home with a wood stove. While I do profess the use of wood, there are a number of things you need to consider before jumping in and installing a wood stove in your home. Man sure to check out the link below for even more information! • Want to see how Christian and I installed the wood...
Dec 18, 2019•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Although I was born in Idaho, I still call Wyoming my home. Wyoming is an incredible place, but before you pack up the chickens and head this way, I’m here to explain the good, the bad, and the ugly about homesteading in Wyoming. In today’s episode I describe why your diet can affect where you choose to establish a homestead, why weather needs to be a serious consideration, and how to determine the ideal situation based on your needs. If you’re still sitting on the sidelines when it comes to hom...
Dec 16, 2019•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Depending on the part of the country you’re in, you’re likely finding yourself in the thick of winter. While I’ve learned to love some of the winter moments, there are several keys you must keep in mind to ensure your animals stay safe throughout the cold months. On today’s episode, I layout how we stay prepped for the rough weather. This includes anything from shelter, watering systems, adjusted feeding schedules, and so much more. No matter if you’re a seasoned pro or a homestead newbie, you’r...
Dec 13, 2019•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast