S17: E4: From Chaos to Calm: Decluttering Secrets for Homesteaders

Homesteading has seasons—sometimes it's front and center, and other times it takes a backseat. In this episode, I’m sharing how our life looks different right now, why that’s okay, and how I’ve made peace with the inevitable FOMO. We’ll chat about the honeymoon stage of homesteading, shifting priorities, and the simple ways I’m keeping it woven into our daily life, even when it’s not the main focus. If you’ve ever felt guilty for stepping back, this one’s for you!Podcast Episode HighlightsMy upcoming cookbook project Homesteading is trendy nowWhy homesteading is taking a backseat in my life nowThinking about my cow OakleyPrepare for your own shifts in lifeThe main three shifts in the homestead lifeMy current callingHomesteading becoming a tool instead of an identityHow burnout can happenDoing less but in more meaningful waysSimplifying and systemizing Not feeling guilt for shifting Final thoughts and encouragementResources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:Learn more about Aquatru here: www.aquatru.comUse the code HOMESTEAD to save 20% on your orderOTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

When we start gardening, it’s easy to focus on the plants—but what if we’re missing the bigger picture? Today, I’m chatting with Gregg Forster of Wisconsin Mineral Solutions about why soil health is the key to nutrient-dense food and thriving farms. We dive into how industrial agriculture has depleted our food’s nutritional value, what homesteaders might be getting wrong, and the simple changes that can make a big difference. Whether you’re growing a backyard garden or running a farm, this episode will change the way you think about soil, sustainability, and the future of our food.Podcast Episode HighlightsGregg's background and how he got into this businessThe nutritional value of fresh produceWhat contributes to nutritional loss in our foodHow this nutritional loss affects our healthWhat we need to nurture in our soilStep 1: Soil TestsStep 2: Adding amendments the right wayStep 3: Adding diversity to your soilRed flags in your garden that there's a problemHow to prevent problems in the first placeHow long does it take to get resultsFinal tips and thoughts from GreggResources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:Learn more about Gregg Forster and his services here: https://www.wisconsinmineralsolutions.com/Learn more about Meal Craft here: https://mealcraftmethod.com/meal-craft-main177846-9453Check out Redmond's Soil Testing Kit here: http://theprairiehomestead.com/soiltestOTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

Ever wondered if raised beds are really worth the hype? In this episode, I sit down with Scott Wilson from Gardening with Scott to dig into the good, the bad, and the surprising when it comes to raised bed gardening. We chat about how to build beds from free/cheap materials, how to fill beds without breaking the bank, how to keep soil healthy year after year, watering strategies, and some genius hacks for getting the most out of every square foot. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just thinking about building your first bed, this episode is packed with practical, no-nonsense advice!Podcast Episode HighlightsWhat Scott's garden looks likeTalking about raised beds (uniform vs. natural)Are raised beds the best option for gardening?How to fill raised garden bedsTalking about hügelkulturHow to replenish the nutrients in raised beds overtimeTill vs.  no-till for raised bedsMulch, amendments, and moreWatering the raised bedsWhat you should and should NOT grow in a raised bedsHow to make a garden raised bed for cheap or freeScott's favorite thing to grow in a raised bedFinal tips and thoughts on raised bedsResources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:Follow Scott Wilson on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWsI0LmiDyezbnN2JCL4P9wFind Scott on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/gardenerscott/Learn more about Meal Craft here: https://mealcraftmethod.com/meal-craft-main177846-9453OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

In this episode, I welcome back Mike Vaona, the engineer-turned-baker behind Rosehill Sourdough, to chat about his recent deep dive into fresh-milled flours. We cover a range of topics, from tweaking hydration levels and the surprising effects of oxidation to the differences between ancient, heritage, and modern wheats. Mike also shares his thoughts on nutrient loss over time, his favorite gluten-free flour, and best practices for baking with fresh-milled flour. This is one deep dive you won't want to miss!Podcast Episode HighlightsMike's current adventures with fresh-milled floursHow Mike has changed his mind on sifting, hydration, and moreA closer look at oxidation and the process of improving breadDifferent wheat berry compare/contrast (bracket competition)Heritage, ancient, and modern wheatsThoughts on having the best of both worldsBest practices with freshly-milled flourResources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:Learn more about Mike and Rosehill Sourdough (and get 10% off!) through this link: https://rosehillsourdough.com/cp/JillFind your nearest mill for wheat berries here: https://amyhalloran.net/mills/Listen to Mike's first episode on the podcast here: Season 15: Episode 7: A More Efficient Way to SourdoughLearn more about Air Doctor here: airdoctorpro.comUse code HOMESTEAD to save up to $300 on your air doctor systemOTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

In this episode, I chat with Mimi Smith-Dvorak, author of Too Many Eggs, a cookbook packed with over 800 ways to use eggs. We dive into the history of eggs, the current egg drama, creative ways to use up a surplus (including flavoring them in the shell!), storage tricks, and even some unexpected non-culinary uses. If you’ve ever found yourself with more eggs than you know what to do with, this episode is for you!Podcast Episode HighlightsA closer look at Mimi's cookbookFeeding the chickensThoughts on current shortages of eggs and pricesFavorite ways to use eggsFavorite historical tidbit about eggsBest practices for making mayonnaiseMaking practical recipes with eggsThe disaster stories with eggsHow to tell if an egg has gone badHistory of eggs and refrigerationNon-culinary uses for eggsFinal thoughts from MimiResources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:Learn more about Mimi Smith-Dvorak and her book Too Many Eggs here: www.toomanyeggs.comLearn more about Aquatru here: www.aquatru.comUse the code HOMESTEAD to save 20% on your orderOTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

If you live in a cold northern area, you may have assumed growing fruit and nuts was out of the question, but I'm happy to tell you that it's not! In this episode, I chat with St. Lawrence Nurseries about the best cold hardy fruit and nut tree varieties, common planting mistakes, and essential care tips for success. We cover watering, fertilizing, pruning, and more to help you cultivate a thriving orchard—even in harsh winters. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced grower, this episode is packed with practical advice!Podcast Episode HighlightsBackground of St. Lawrence NurseryA closer look at cold-hardy fruit treesHow to figure out what plants you can grow Favorite cold-hardy plants Growing peaches and pears in a cold regionGrowing cold-hardy nut treesWhen to order and plant treesHow to plant your trees successfullyOrganic pest control tipsDealing with strong windsBest watering tipsHow long for fruit productionTips for pruning treesFinal tips and thoughts on cold climate fruit and nut treesResources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:Learn more about Meal Craft here: https://mealcraftmethod.com/meal-craft-main177846-9453Learn more about St. Lawrence Nursery here: https://www.slngrow.com/Email St. Lawrence Nursery at: [email protected] St. Lawrence Nursery here: https://www.instagram.com/sln_grow/OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

What if the light around you is messing with your health more than you realize? In this episode, the amazing Johnna Sutton of Sutton Nutrition is back to talk about how artificial light, blue light exposure, and circadian rhythms impact our energy, sleep, and overall well-being. We dive into how to adjust your routine with the seasons, why cold winter temps are good, and practical steps to use light to have more energy and better sleep. If you've ever felt out of sync but couldn't figure out why, this conversation is for you!Podcast Episode HighlightsThe history of circadian rhythmModern culture's view on discomfortScience of circadian rhythmThe three big things that affect your bodyHow light affects your bodyHow to adjust our routines to fix our circadian healthHow temperatures affect our bodiesHow food affects our bodiesFinal thoughts on living with nature and modernityBest steps for where to start fixing your circadian rhythmResources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:Learn more about Meal Craft here: https://mealcraftmethod.com/meal-craft-main177846-9453Follow Johnna’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suttonoutdoorsmt/Montana Functional Health: https://mfhcare.com/ and Johnna's article here: https://mfhcare.com/article/get-your-light-right/Listen in to my other interview with Johnna Sutton here: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/tph_podcasts/season-17-episode-2-the-missing-piece-mastering-nutrition-for-the-homesteaderOTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

In this episode, I sit down with Noelle Johnson, aka the AZ Plant Lady and author of Water Smart Gardens, to uncover practical tips for making your garden more water-efficient without sacrificing beauty or productivity. We dive into time-saving watering strategies, the best veggies to grow in dry climates, creative rainwater collection ideas, and whether your lawn really deserves all that water. If you're ready to grow smarter, not harder, this conversation is packed with advice you won’t want to miss!Podcast Episode HighlightsWhy water smart gardening is for everyoneHow to start the transition to a water smart gardenStep One: identify your thirstiest plantsStep Two: let your plants grow to their natural sizeHow to help our vegetable gardens become more drought-tolerantHow to water your vegetable gardenWhat Noelle's garden looks like in ArizonaHow often to water the gardenThoughts on shade clothBest time to plant trees and shrubs for saving waterThe problem with plants from big box storesOlla watering systemRain water harvestingThoughts on annual flowers and lawnsFinal thoughts and tips from NoelleResources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:Learn more about Meal Craft here: https://mealcraftmethod.com/meal-craft-main177846-9453Learn more about Noelle Johnson here: https://www.azplantlady.com/and here: https://www.instagram.com/az.plant.lady/Find Noelle's book The Water Smart Garden here: https://amzn.to/3QebPSDOTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

Curious about foraging but not sure where to begin? In this episode, I chat with Whitney of Appalachian Forager about the essentials of starting your foraging journey, including how to get started foraging, how to safely identify wild mushrooms, best practices for preparing them, and tips for preserving your harvest. Whether you're a beginner or looking to deepen your connection with the wild, Whitney is a wealth of wisdom!Podcast Episode HighlightsBeginner tips for people new to foragingTrusted resources for foragingBest tips for starting to forage for mushroomsMost lethal mushrooms in the U.S.The best mushroom to forage firstSeasons, weather, and mushroom foragingTerrain and locations for mushroom foragingThe window of time for mushroom foragingForaging in suburban and urban areasEthics, sustainability, and foragingPreserving and preparing mushrooms Final thoughts and tips from WhitneyResources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:Learn more about Air Doctor here: airdoctorpro.comUse code HOMESTEAD to save up to $300 on your air doctor systemLearn more about Whitney here: https://appalachianforager.com/home and check out her Instagram account here: https://www.instagram.com/appalachian_forager/Check out Whitney's new book Go Forth and Forage here: https://amzn.to/4hmkmiqOTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

In this episode, I chat with Dana K. White, author and creator of A Slob Comes Clean, about the surprising connections between decluttering and homesteading. We dive into Dana’s practical strategies, including the Container Concept and her no-mess decluttering method, to help you create a more functional and peaceful home. Whether you’re managing a homestead or just tackling everyday clutter, Dana’s tips will inspire you to simplify and reclaim your space.Podcast Episode HighlightsDana's backstory on how she went from a messy life to a clean oneThe mindset of declutteringWhy simplifying our homes can help our homesteadsPractical steps to start declutteringDealing with emotional detachments to stuffThe correlation with sustainabilityTips for making our home a hospitable placeChatting about decluttering and your family Final thoughts and tips from DanaResources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:Learn more about Dana K. White here: www.aslobcomesclean.comLearn more about Aquatru here: www.aquatru.comUse the code HOMESTEAD to save 20% on your orderOTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!