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 woundsPlantain for punctures, drawing out toxins, and gentle gut supportBurdock root for liver, skin, and daily prebiotic benefitsStinging nettle leaf for allergies, seed for kidneys, root for male urinary supportMullein to quiet dry coughs, make simple ear oil, and support back/bladder with the rootBest times to harvest roots of biennials, how to slice before drying, and what to stock in a starter herbal kitResources:- For more information, visit the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/healing-herbs-and-plants/- Check out Doc Jones' book here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcast-docjonesweeds- Thanks to Lehman's for sponsoring this podcast. Be sure to check them out, and don't forget to request a FREE catalog at https://lehmans.com- Check out Dr. Patrick Jones and everything he has to offer over at https://homegrownherbalist.netTime Stamps:- 0:00 - Introduction- 2:29 - Lehmans- 4:04 - How You Can Help!- 5:14 - Main TopicIf you enjoy the show, please rate, review, and follow. Then, download the first five episodes of season 6 to help more homesteaders find us.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~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.comFacebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamilyInstagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamilyRumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamilyA 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/HHHytYour 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-workshopMeals 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-workshopAnd hey, don't forget to download this episode, like and subscribe, then share with your friends so more people can hear reliable homesteading advice.
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51:59
The Top Ways to Homestead on a Budget
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 markets, seconds boxes, and CSAs for nutrient-dense food on the cheap • Preservation you can begin this week, from freezing and dehydrating to simple water bath canning and fermentation • Seasonal rhythms on our North Idaho homestead, including winter squash, deep bedding, seed saving, and salt-curing porkSponsor:Azure Standard is our go-to for healthy ingredients and bulk buys. Get 15% off your first order over $100 with code homesteadingfamily15 at https://homesteadingfamily.com/main-azure-standard-bLinks: • Homestead Kitchen Magazine, delivered right to your door (U.S. only): https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcast-magazine⦁ For more information, visit the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/homesteading-skills-to-learn-now/If you enjoyed this conversation, would you take a minute to rate and review the show? Then, download a few episodes so more families can discover Everyday Homesteading. Thank you for helping spread real, doable homestead skills. Because you CAN do this.TIME STAMPS:0:00 - Introduction2:46 - Chit Chat8:03 - We Need YOUR Help!9:35 - Azure Standard10:54 - Main Topic~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~MORE ABOUT US!WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideoGrow, Preserve & Thrive with us!Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.comFacebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamilyInstagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamilyRumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamilyA 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/HHHytYour 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-workshopAnd hey, don't forget to download this episode, like and subscribe, then share with your friends so more people can hear reliable homesteading advice.
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31:56
Every Home Canner Needs To Know These Things
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 coverWhy a sealed lid alone does not equal safe food, and what actually makes a jar shelf-stable.The pH "line in the sand" at 4.6, why it matters, and how it guides every canning decision.Exactly when boiling water bath canning is safe, and when you must pressure can.How heat, thickness, and circulation inside the jar impact safety.Common myths that lead to botulism risk, and the simple habits that keep you safe.Using approved recipes, what “acidifying” means for tomatoes and borderline foods.Reliable sources for tested recipes, so you’re not stuck in conflicting advice.Key takeawaysHigh-acid foods can be safely water bath canned because molds and yeast are easy to kill at boiling temperatures.Low-acid foods like meats, vegetables, and most full-meal recipes require pressure canning to reliably reach about 250°F.Approved recipes exist to control pH, density, and processing time so you can stop guessing and start knowing.If you can follow a cake recipe, you will be able to can safely at home.Resources mentionedCheck out all our canning resources, and to watch this podcast episode, on the website here: Free Canning Safety Training for visual learners: https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcast-canningTrusted recipe sources: Ball Blue Book, the National Center for Home Food Preservation, and Homestead Kitchen Magazine’s master-preserver approved recipesSponsor A big thank you to Azure Standard for making bulk, vetted pantry staples affordable. New customers get 15% off a first order of 100 dollars or more with code HomesteadingFamily15.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~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/HFWelcomeVideoGrow, Preserve & Thrive with us!Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.comFacebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamilyInstagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamilyRumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamilyA 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/HHHytYour 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://homeAnd hey, don't forget to download this episode, like and subscribe, then share with your friends so more people can hear reliable homesteading advice.
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29:43
Why Homesteaders Fail
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 remind you that homesteading is not about perfection. It is about purpose, persistence, and the joy that comes from doing the work with your own two hands. Check out the Homestead Kitchen Membership here: https://homesteadingfamily,com/podcast-homesteadkitchenmembership💚 Thanks to ForJars for sponsoring this episode. Check out some of my favorite kitchen tools I use in my own kitchen and use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY10" for 10% off your order: https://homesteadingfamily.com/forjars 👉 For more information and any links mentioned in this episode, check out the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/why-homesteaders-quit/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~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/HFWelcomeVideoGrow, Preserve & Thrive with us!Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.comFacebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamilyInstagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamilyRumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamilyA 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/HHHytYour 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-workshopAnd hey, don't forget to download this episode, like and subscribe, then share with your friends so more people can hear reliable homesteading advice.
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38:05
The Silent Killer That is Ruining Your Garden
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 practical steps you can take to build healthy, vibrant soil right where you are. You’ll also learn how to avoid the common “quick fixes” that can actually make your garden problems worse over time.Whether you’re growing your very first garden or trying to bring tired soil back to life, this episode will help you create the kind of rich, fertile foundation that makes everything in your garden flourish.💚 FREE RESOURCE: Grab our Healthy Garden Soil Action Plan at https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcast-healthygardensteps🎯 Mentioned in This Episode:• 4Jars Canning Supplies — Use code HOMESTEADINGFAMILY10 for 10% off your order!: https://homesteadingfamily.com/canning-jars-8oz-fb• RX Soil Testing – a great way to check your organic matter levels: https://homesteadingfamily.com/rx-soil• Learn more about improving soil quality → https://homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-improve-soil-quality/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~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/HFWelcomeVideoGrow, Preserve & Thrive with us!Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.comFacebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamilyInstagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamilyRumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamilyA 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/HHHytYour 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-workshopAnd hey, don't forget to download this episode, like and subscribe, then share with your friends so more people can hear reliable homesteading advice.
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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