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

Taking Control of Your Health—The Power of Whole Foods

Your health is in your hands, and it all starts with what’s on your plate. Processed foods may be convenient, but they come at a cost—fueling chronic illness and metabolic dysfunction. The good news? You don’t need complicated diets or expensive supplements to heal your body. By focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods, you can restore balance, boost energy, and prevent disease. Small changes lead to big results, and making the switch to real food is easier than you think!

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The Wilson Family The Wilson Family

Lard’s Fatty Acid Profile: Why Pasture-Raised is Best.

The health benefits of lard come down to its fatty acid composition, which is directly influenced by a pig’s diet. Pasture-raised lard contains a perfect balance of monounsaturated, saturated, and polyunsaturated fats, making it a stable and heart-healthy choice. Acorn-fed pigs produce lard with even higher levels of oleic acid, mirroring the benefits of olive oil. Compared to butter and vegetable oils, lard offers superior nutrition with fewer inflammatory compounds. Choosing pasture-raised lard ensures you’re getting a clean, nutrient-dense fat perfect for cooking, frying, and baking.

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The Wilson Family The Wilson Family

Is Lard a healthy fat?

For years, lard was wrongly blamed for heart disease and replaced by industrial seed oils. However, recent science shows that pasture-raised lard is rich in monounsaturated fats, vitamin D, and essential fatty acids—making it healthier than butter and a superior alternative to vegetable oils. Unlike processed seed oils that promote inflammation, pasture-raised lard supports heart health, brain function, and metabolic balance. While fats are an essential part of a healthy diet, balance is key—embracing natural fats like lard in moderation can help restore proper nutrition.

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The Wilson Family The Wilson Family

Lard vs. Tallow: Key Differences & Best Uses Explained

Lard and tallow are often confused, but they are not the same. Lard, derived from pigs, is softer, milder in flavor, and more versatile in cooking, while tallow, from cows or sheep, is firmer and has a stronger taste. Lard is also more readily available since pigs naturally carry more fat than cows. When sourced from pasture-raised pigs, lard is a nutrient-rich fat packed with omega-3s and vitamin D. Whether you're frying, baking, or seasoning cast iron, lard is a must-have for any traditional kitchen.

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The Wilson Family The Wilson Family

Old fashioned Lard candles

Lard candles offer several benefits, particularly for those seeking natural, eco-friendly options. Made from animal fat, they are biodegradable and free from harmful chemicals found in some commercial candles. Lard burns cleanly, producing less soot and fewer toxins, making them a healthier choice for indoor air quality.

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The Wilson Family The Wilson Family

Rehydrating Sourdough Starter

Rehydrate your sourdough starter with this step by step guide. Follow my day by day instructions as we get your starter bubbly and active ready for your first loaf. Start on Monday and bake your first loaf on Saturday.

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The Truth About Chronic Illness—Why Whole Foods Matter

Chronic illness has become the norm, but it doesn’t have to be. Despite trillions spent on healthcare, disease rates continue to rise—why? The answer lies in what we eat. Processed foods filled with sugar, additives, and unhealthy fats are driving metabolic dysfunction, leading to conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. But the good news? The solution is simple. By shifting to whole, nutrient-dense foods, we can take control of our health and break free from the cycle of chronic illness.

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The Wilson Family The Wilson Family

Sourdough starter - the beginners guide

The journey of sourdough baking starts here! Sourdough starter is a living and active thing - just like having a pet, it requires daily attention and a bit of love but don't let the commitment put you off, learning to sourdough bake opens a gateway of possibilities and is better for your health. Learn about how to make your own starter, how to feed one, how to rehydrate one and what to do when your busy or need to take a break!

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Pork side with crackling

This is a very basic oven roasted pork belly recipe delivers a gorgeous, juicy, melt in your mouth result which when paired with the salty crispy crunchy crackling will quickly become a family favourite!

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Cornish Cross Chickens: Pros, Cons & Raising Tips

Raising Cornish Cross meat birds was an eye-opening experience. While their rapid growth is impressive, their dependence on feed and health challenges made us question their sustainability. From free-ranging struggles to processing pressures, we learned a lot about what it really takes to raise this breed. If you're considering raising your own meat birds, here's what you need to know about Cornish Cross and why they might—or might not—be the right fit for your homestead.

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The British Bap - recipe

The British bap is the ultimate soft, floury bread roll, and its secret ingredient? Lard! Once a staple in post-war baking, lard gives these rolls an unbeatable texture that modern alternatives just can’t match. Whether you enjoy them fresh from the oven with butter or as the perfect sandwich bread, these traditional baps bring back the nostalgia of classic British baking. Easy to make and freezer-friendly, this recipe will have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about bread!

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The Wilson Family The Wilson Family

The Ultimate Natural Sponge – Growing and Using Loofah

Did you know you can grow your own natural sponges? Loofahs aren’t sea creatures—they’re plants! These eco-friendly, long-lasting sponges are perfect for dishwashing and skincare. After three years of using homegrown loofahs, I’ll never go back to synthetic sponges. In this post, I’ll share how to grow them, whether they’re truly antibacterial, and why they’re the ultimate cleaning sponge!

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10 Ways to use Lard

For those of you who have worked out that the ‘fall of lard’ was actually another media and advertising plot to redirect your spending, then read on, because I have been cataloging ALL the ways to use this unsung hero of the fat world, and if you are in the process of restoring this once loved resource back to your kitchen counter top, here are my top 10 ways to use it.

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Pie crust with Lard

The secret to amazing pie crust is fat. The higher the fat content of the dough the flakier the pastry it makes. Grandma knew a thing or two about flaky pastry…it was the lard. Learn how to make pie crust with lard and you will never want pie made any other way!!

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