The homestead journal - recipes, memoirs and lessons

Welcome to the space where I share my homestead discoveries and dreams! Farm life is a beautiful, wild ride—utterly exhausting but full of wonder and reward at every turn. Step into the heart of farm-to-table living with me, where every meal tells a story of freshness and purpose. Here, you'll find time-honored techniques like canning, curing, fermenting, and baking—reviving the lost skills that turn simple ingredients into nourishing, toxin-free food. Let’s get back to real food, made the way it was meant to be.

The Wilson Family The Wilson Family

Homemade Mayonnaise with Lard!

The problem with most homemade mayonnaise recipes is that they produce a rather runny result. Since mayonnaise is basically a blend of oil and vinegar emulsified together then it is logical that your home made spread is going to take on the nature of the oil that is used to make it.

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The Wilson Family The Wilson Family

The Truth About Lard: Why Everything You Heard Was Wrong

For decades, we were told that lard was bad for our health, but the truth is far from what big corporations wanted us to believe. The campaign against lard wasn’t just misguided—it was intentional. Backed by marketing dollars and weak science, vegetable oil manufacturers convinced us to ditch a natural, nutrient-rich fat for their highly processed alternatives. Now, with modern research at our fingertips, it’s time to set the record straight….

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The Wilson Family The Wilson Family

Curing Salt: Myths, Facts, and Natural Alternatives

Curing salt is a hot topic in the world of food preservation. With concerns about nitrates and their link to health risks, many are left wondering whether curing salts are safe to use. The truth? Not all curing salts are created equal, and nitrates aren’t necessarily the villains they’ve been made out to be. This guide clears up common misconceptions, explains the differences between curing salt types, and provides practical tips for safe home curing—so you can make informed choices without the fearmongering.

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The Wilson Family The Wilson Family

Pasture raised pork is healthier

A big part of our animal husbandry is down to working “with” the natural nature of the animal rather than against it. Learn how the piggy nature of pigs steered our decisions in how we raise our bacon.

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The Wilson Family The Wilson Family

How to cure your own bacon at home

Want to make your own naturally cured bacon without synthetic nitrates? Salt-curing pork belly is one of the oldest and simplest methods of preserving meat, using nothing but salt to enhance flavor and texture. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process step by step, covering the correct salt ratio, curing times, and storage tips to ensure a perfectly preserved slab of bacon. Whether you're after crispy fried slices or a dry-aged delicacy, this method is a must-try for traditional food lovers!

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The Wilson Family The Wilson Family

How to season fresh bacon ( so it tastes cured)

After a little bit of experimenting and some trial and error, i finally nailed it. I know i nailed it because when i asked my daughter what she thought of “mom’s new bacon” she said “its the best bacon i’ve ever had” - and she’s my picky eater too! …Here is what to do -

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