What is and isn’t a homesteader? If you’re anything like me, this question has weighed on your mind at one point or another. To be honest, the deeper I dove into this topic, I quickly realized how difficult it is to define what homesteading is. I’ve come to find that homesteading is less about certain behaviors or checking off certain boxes and more about living by a mindset and a lifestyle. Listen today to find out what that is. >> Click here to get my special master-pack: https://www.the...
Apr 13, 2020•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Time and time again, I get inundated with questions about sourdough. On this very special episode (which was broadcast live on Facebook) I answer every sourdough question you could throw my way. We cover everything from why sourdough starter separates, why it molds, how to tell if sourdough is active, and everything in between. If you’ve ever had any questions as to why your sourdough isn’t panning out, then today is your lucky day! >> Click here to get my special master-pack: https://www....
Apr 10, 2020•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast During uncertain times, basic survival needs like food security become a topic of daily discussion. While I realize homesteading is essentially preparing us for times like these, not everyone that listens to this podcast are on a homestead. Many of you live in a city or in suburbs and don’t have a ton of extra space. Today I’m here to lay out what I’d do if I had to start over in the suburbs. Learn the essential vegetables to grow, why you need to own a grain mill, and how I’d stock my pantry. F...
Apr 08, 2020•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Lately it seems Christian and I have been talking a lot about our dreams for the homestead. More than anything, we’ve realized we share a strong desire to increase our food production this year. Listen today as we take our vision well beyond just adding more chickens and cows. We’re taking steps to further protect our crops from hail and other natural elements to preserve our final yield. Most important, we’re taking steps to produce more food to help provide for our community. During this uncer...
Apr 06, 2020•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today’s episode, I’m taking a bit of a departure from my traditional format to dive into the present state of our homestead. I cover everything from prepping raised beds, meat chickens, what we’re doing with our milking setup, and so much more. While we might still be waiting for the cold weather and the snow to pass, things are slowly starting to ramp up in our world. Let’s get ready for spring! >> Click here to get my special master-pack: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/masterpack...
Apr 03, 2020•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast The chicks are here! Yes, it’s that time of year. Last year we were a bit behind the eight ball and missed out on meat chickens. Not this time my friend. If you’ve ever wanted to raise meat chickens but have yet to take the plunge, this episode is for you. I dive deep into what makes a great meat chickens, why you shouldn’t let your chickens grow too fast, what to feed your chicken, and so much more. Listen today to get a jumpstart on your meat chicken journey! LINKS: >> How to Raise Meat ...
Apr 01, 2020•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast With everything going on in the world today, it’s important to always check back in on some basics. For everyone that has followed me for any period of time, you’d know canning is easily one of my favorite things when it comes to homesteading. I know what many are you thinking right now: why can dry beans? On today’s episode I’m going to explain the many benefits of canning dry beans as well as share my favorite canning method. LINKS: >> Step-by-Step Tutorial: https://www.theprairiehomeste...
Mar 30, 2020•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast What do you do when everything goes as you hoped, or perhaps even better than you hoped? While it’s great to be able to produce our own food on the homestead, sometimes we find ourselves with a perishable bounty that needs to be dealt with. On today’s episode, I explain how I’m dealing with an excess of eggs. While selling some is always an option, listen to find out how I use this abundance in order to inspire new dishes. I also share some of my favorite preservation techniques so you can still...
Mar 27, 2020•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Seemingly in the blink of an eye, the world became homeschoolers. For some of you listening, it’s business as usual. For others? Full time panic mode has ensued. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a rookie doing this for the first time, I’m here to offer some guidance that anyone can use regardless of experience. I explore some of the most common issues people have when it comes to homeschooling (hint: you don’t have to be perfect) and offer solutions that are sure to ease some stress. Rest as...
Mar 25, 2020•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast To say the world is full of uncertainty is a bit of an understatement at the moment. We’re living in some uncharted waters as a country and as humans in general. I for one can say my mind has been spinning over the past couple weeks. Even with the craziness in the world, the events of the past few weeks has reassured me the choice we made to begin the homesteading journey. Not only are we in a position to produce for for our family, but if it’s needed, we can help the community and inspire other...
Mar 23, 2020•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever tried to save a piece of cast iron and found yourself in way too deep? This was my story just last week. After staring at a skillet in my kitchen for years, I finally decided to do something about it. After testing several different solutions, most unsuccessfully, I stumbled upon something that finally worked! Listen today to find out how coconut oil, lard, or flaxseed oil might be your savior when it comes to that old, beat up skillet. Links from show: >> My cast iron fix: h...
Mar 20, 2020•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Contrary to popular belief, I wasn’t born into the homestead life. If you go back and listen to some of my first episodes you can get the full story on how Christian and I caught the homestead bug. In the end, learning how to homestead has been nothing more than an insatiable desire to learn and taking massive imperfect action everyday. Listen today as I dig into some of my favorite places to gather information. I know some of you will be inspired to take some action of your own. Links from show...
Mar 18, 2020•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast While we’d all love an open, sunny spot to plant our garden, the reality of it is some things are beyond our control. Rest assured, a shady spot doesn’t always mean a death sentence. On today’s episode, I explain how it's possible to grow a garden even without ideal sunlight. Links from show: >>Blog Post: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2020/02/vegetables-that-grow-in-the-shade.html >> Head over to www.theprairiehomestead.com for from-scratch recipes, homestead inspiration, ...
Mar 16, 2020•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever jumped head first into starting seeds and quickly find yourself overwhelmed? Trust me, when I first started expanding my garden I was right there with you. The truth is that this will always be the case unless you build a system for planting seeds. Well my friends, with the days getting longer and the air outside feeling a bit different, it’s finally time to start the seeds. Today I’m going to walk you through my own system for starting seeds, complete with full instructions so you...
Mar 11, 2020•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast While I love to cook, at times it can become a drag. With everything we have going on with the kids, our various businesses, and the responsibilities of running a homestead, at times I end to fallback on the tried-and-true recipes that my family has loved throughout the years. While this might be easy and efficient, things tend to get stale over time. On today’s episode I’m here to share some of my favorite ways on how to shake the funk and get the creative juices flowing. Whether it’s finding n...
Mar 09, 2020•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s no secret by now. If you’ve been listening at all to the podcast lately, you’d know that I’ve got gardening on my mind. I’ve said i many times before but I’ll say it once again; gardening is likely a close second on my “what I love about homesteading list”, trailing only the animals. Wha’s the best news out of all this win it comes to gardening? It’s far easier than you think. Listen to today’s show to find out why and gain some valuable tips on how you can get started today! Links from sho...
Mar 06, 2020•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast Between late frosts in the spring, early frosts in the fall, blizzards in the middle of May, and everything in between, Wyoming is one of the most difficult climates you’ll find to grow a garden. So I do I combat this every year? I focus on understanding the frost cycle and only grow what will thrive in our zone. I start seeds inside to capitalize on prime growing season. Learn why you should be leery of the big box stores and why working with local suppliers who know your zone is crucial. If yo...
Mar 04, 2020•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Believe it or not, many of the best ways to use up leftover sourdough starter have nothing to do with baking bread. If you’ve ever wondered what to do with your leftover sourdough starter, then this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. Join me on today’s show where you’ll learn my top 5 favorite discard recipes, including pancakes, waffles, and biscuits. So slow your roll, don’t ditch that dough, and find out how to take advantage of that discard in this incredibly helpful episode. >> H...
Mar 02, 2020•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast I’m not going to lie. This episode is likely to ruffle some feathers. However, this is a topic that’s been weighing on my mind for quite some time. On various videos or social media posts, I’ve received a number of questions about how Christian and I have been able to afford our homestead. Many assume we come from a wealthy background, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m here to explain how we found a small property, got out of debt, worked odd jobs, and built our homestead overtime...
Feb 28, 2020•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you’ve been listening or following me for a while, you’d know that it was horses that actually spurred my initial interest in homesteading. While most people wouldn’t consider a horse as a traditional ‘homestead’ animal, I’ve found that they hold a very special place in our daily lives. On today’s episode, I explain how to make sure you’re getting the right type of horse for you and your family. More important, I explain why a horse is NOT your dog. >>Get complimentary access to my full...
Feb 26, 2020•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Thanks to social media, I might appear to be some type of super woman. The truth of the matter is, Instagram and Facebook posts never tell the full story no matter how transparent I try to be. I’m able to “Do It All” because I’ve become extremely efficient with time management and have realized that I simply can’t do it all. On today’s episode, I explain how things like finding help, saying no, and blocking time have enabled me to not only become super productive, but also free up more time in o...
Feb 24, 2020•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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