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 Farm Chemical That’s Poisoning Corn, Soy, and Your Dinner Plate
As chronic diseases skyrocket, infertility rates climb, and early puberty becomes the norm, we have to ask: What’s really in our food? One answer lies in atrazine—a toxic herbicide heavily sprayed on corn and soy. Despite studies revealing its shocking hormone-disrupting effects, atrazine remains widespread in our food supply. Learn why this chemical is so dangerous and how a farm-to-table diet can help you avoid hidden toxins while nourishing your body with clean, real food.
The Power of Protein: Farm-to-Table Nutrition for Optimal Health
Protein is the foundation of life, but its quality is only as good as its source. Pasture-raised meats, wild-caught fish, and farm-fresh eggs offer superior nutrition compared to factory-farmed alternatives. With protein playing a vital role in muscle repair, immune support, and even cognitive function, sourcing the best quality matters. As synthetic peptide therapy gains popularity, it's essential to recognize that nature has already provided us with everything we need—if we know where to look. Learn how farm-to-table protein fuels health and why properly raised food makes all the difference.
The Ultimate Morning Power Smoothie: A Nutrient-Packed Start to Your Day
This Morning Power Smoothie is more than just a delicious way to start your day—it’s packed with carefully chosen, nutrient-dense ingredients that support energy, digestion, brain function, and overall health. Each ingredient serves a specific purpose, from gut-friendly prebiotics in pistachios to the antioxidant power of blueberries. This smoothie fuels your body with essential nutrients to promote healing, longevity, and vitality.
Why You Should Eat More Eggs: Nature’s Perfect Superfood from Farm to Table
Eggs have been wrongly demonized for years, but science proves they are one of the most complete and nutrient-dense foods available. Rich in high-quality protein, brain-boosting choline, and heart-healthy fats, eggs are essential for optimal health—especially when sourced from pasture-raised hens. Learn why you should eat more eggs, how they support longevity, and why farm-fresh eggs are far superior to industrially farmed alternatives.
How to Cure Egg Yolks: A Traditional Method for Preserving and Elevating Flavor
Egg yolks are one of the most nutrient-dense foods, packed with vitamins, healthy fats, and umami-rich flavor. By curing them in salt and sugar, you can transform fresh yolks into a delicious, Parmesan-like condiment that adds depth to pasta, salads, soups, and more. Whether you’re looking for a way to preserve surplus eggs or elevate your cooking, this time-honored technique is a must-try!
How to Bake 10 Sourdough Loaves at Once – No Dutch Oven Required!
Baking multiple sourdough loaves at once doesn’t require a Dutch oven or fancy equipment! With this simple method, you can bake up to 10 loaves at a time using just a cookie sheet and a wire rack. Learn how to create the perfect crust with steam, develop incredible flavor with slow fermentation, and maximize your baking efficiency—perfect for homesteaders and serious sourdough lovers!
Einkorn Sourdough Bread: The Ultimate Recipe for Perfect Crumb & Spring
Unlock the secret to perfect einkorn sourdough! This ultimate recipe, enhanced with a clever gluten-free twist, delivers a light, chewy loaf with amazing spring and deep tangy flavor—all while harnessing the rich nutrition of ancient einkorn.
How to Start Baking with Einkorn at Home
Baking with Einkorn wheat is a return to real, nourishing food—but it comes with a learning curve. Unlike modern hybridized wheat, Einkorn has a weaker gluten structure, meaning it won’t rise as high or behave quite the same way. But don’t worry! With a few simple tweaks—like adjusting hydration, using sourdough fermentation, and borrowing tricks from gluten-free baking—you can unlock Einkorn’s incredible flavor and digestibility. Whether you’re making bread, waffles, or cookies, this guide will help you master Einkorn baking with confidence.
Einkorn Wheat: The Ancient Grain That Modern Bread Forgot
For thousands of years, bread was a staple of the human diet—nourishing, simple, and sustaining. So why, in the modern era, have wheat allergies and gluten intolerance become so widespread? The answer may lie in the grain itself. Einkorn wheat, the original wheat cultivated by early civilizations, is vastly different from the hybridized wheat of today. With a simpler genetic structure and a unique gluten composition, einkorn is gaining attention for its digestibility and health benefits. Let’s explore what makes this ancient grain so special—and why it might be the key to reclaiming real, wholesome bread.
The Ultimate Einkorn Sourdough Waffles (Made with Lard!)—A Classic, Upgraded
Upgrade your breakfast with these Einkorn Sourdough Waffles made with lard—a crisp, fluffy, and deeply flavorful take on the classic Belgian waffle. Fermented overnight for better digestion and a richer taste, these waffles bring old-world tradition back to the table.
From Farm to Table: The Art of Traditional Dry-Cured Ham
For centuries, dry curing has been the key to preserving pork, transforming a simple leg of pork into a masterpiece of deep, complex flavors. But is country-cured ham the same as charcuterie-style prosciutto? And how do you cure a ham the traditional way for the county fair? Let’s dive into the old-world method of salt curing and the art of slow aging, where patience meets perfection.
The Food Pyramid Will Make You Sick
Most people believe the food pyramid is based on solid science, but the truth is, it was never designed for health—it was designed to serve political and corporate interests. By promoting a diet high in grains and low in fat, it has contributed to skyrocketing rates of obesity, diabetes, and chronic illness. In reality, saturated fat is an essential whole food, while processed carbs and sugar are the real culprits behind modern disease. If you want to reclaim your health, it’s time to flip the food pyramid upside down.
Why Acorn-Fed Pigs Produce Superior Pork and Lard
Not all pork is created equal—especially when it comes from acorn-fed Mangalitsa pigs. These heritage pigs, often called the "Kobe beef of pork," are prized for their rich marbling, buttery texture, and incredible depth of flavor. Thanks to their woodland diet, which includes acorns, hickory nuts, and other natural foods, their pork and lard boast a high concentration of heart-healthy oleic acid, similar to olive oil. This unique fat profile not only enhances the taste but also makes their lard one of the most sought-after cooking fats. Learn why acorn-fed pork is a true delicacy and how our free-range pigs produce meat unlike any other.
Botulism and Home Canning: Understanding the Real Risks and Best Practices
Botulism is one of the biggest concerns in home canning—but how much of the fear is justified? In this post, I break down the science behind safe canning, the difference between water bath and pressure canning, and why old-fashioned methods like inverting jam jars can be risky. After attending the University of Missouri’s Better Process Control School and an MU Extension workshop on food safety, I’m here to help you can with confidence!
The Truth About Cured vs. Uncured Bacon: Understanding the Labels
Ever wondered what the difference is between cured and uncured bacon? The term "uncured" might make you think the meat is completely fresh, but in reality, it’s still cured—just with natural sources of nitrates instead of synthetic ones. This FDA labeling requirement often confuses consumers into thinking one is healthier than the other. In this post, we break down the truth about bacon labels, how both types are made, and what really matters when choosing high-quality bacon.