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Yes, it’s true…Homesteading can indeed be overwhelming.I, personally, have been on my homesteading journey for 32 years. I began in an urban neighborhood in the bedroom community of Seattle, WA. It was a simple, humble beginning which started from necessity. I began canning, making soap, grinding wheat, making bread, sewing, and gardening on a tiny plot of land. I learned a lot of “inside skills” in those days. After 12 years of urban homesteading, we moved to the Monterey area of CA. My six chi …

Have some spare jars and a few too many pumpkins? A few years ago, our house was full of… pumpkins. Hundreds of pounds of pumpkins. We made pumpkin everything… bread… muffins… pies… soup. Still, more pumpkin.So, what did we do? Canned some. It isn’t that hard!The big thing to note when using your own canned pumpkin is that it contains far more water than store bought canned pumpkin. So, when you break into a jar you will need to remove excess water before making use of the pumpkin chunks inside …

You heard the news. Frost is on the way, and your pepper plants are laden with fruit still… of different shapes, sizes, and colors. Or perhaps you are just ready to be done with the garden, and it is time to pull the plants and get all the remaining produce possible.Don’t be sad. Every summer must eventually come to an end. And we have a way to enjoy part of that summer bounty all winter long. Fresh organic peppers are pricey. Frozen organic peppers? Forgot about it! But what if you could make y …

I never imagined I would enjoy pumpkin muffins as much as I do. A few years ago, my wife started making them, often with our own home-grown pumpkin puree, and I was amazed at just how good they are!You can make these muffins with freshly pureed pumpkin, or if you have canned pumpkin (either your own or storebought) both will work! If using homemade canned pumpkin, be sure to remove the excess moisture by straining the pumpkin chunks well before measuring. We use the Frontier organic pumpkin pie …

The first in a long list of reasons you should be making your own yogurt is that the process is easier than you think. Surprisingly, making yogurt is less complicated than most recipes. While it does take time, much of that time the yogurt is fermenting, which doesn’t require any effort from you. Not only is it relatively easy, it’s also a good money saver, as homemade yogurt is less expensive than store-bought yogurt. That’s two reasons. Reason three? You get total control of what goes into you …

When it comes to what we eat, more and more people are aiming to find natural and chemical-free options. However, even organic foods can gather dirt, bacteria, or even bugs throughout the growing, shipping, and selling process. As such, it's always vital to make sure produce is properly washed and cleaned before eating or cooking with it. So shouldn't these foods be cleaned in a way that is both effective and free from chemicals?Why Is Cleaning Produce Important?Produce is always at risk for var …

Canning tomatoes is a perfect way to preserve the bounty of your garden, making sure the fresh flavors of summer are tucked snuggly in your pantry all year long. Whether you’re making spaghetti or pizza sauce, tomato soup or a hearty stew, home-canned tomatoes offer a depth of flavor that store-bought versions simply can’t match.If you’re new to home food preservation, canning tomatoes is an easy place to start. It’s straightforward, requires minimal equipment, and offers a safe, reliable way to …