Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 69 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast.

Today, I’m tackling the big question: Is it actually possible to live off the land? When I first dreamed of having a farm, the idea of living off the land was incredibly appealing. But reality is much more complex and demanding.

The truth is, growing food and sustaining a farm involves an immense amount of work, time, and energy. It’s not to discourage anyone, but to offer a realistic view of what farm life entails. While the romantic idea of homesteading is wonderful, it's important to understand the effort involved. Growing your own food is a life long journey, not a destination.

On our farm, we produce a lot of our food. Yet, we still rely on grocery stores for some needs, and while we strive for self-sufficiency, we’re not fully independent. We depend on external sources, like grain for our animals, and we are part of modern supply chains. Our lifestyle involves balancing self-produced food with necessary outside inputs, doing our best to live in harmony with our land rather than entirely off it.

The concept of living off the land varies widely. Some people do live off-grid, relying solely on their land, but our approach is more moderate. We aim to close the loop where possible, acknowledging that complete self-sufficiency isn’t realistic for us. Instead, we focus on creating a resilient and sustainable way of life.

Community plays a crucial role in modern homesteading. I used to aim for total self-reliance, but I’ve learned the value of community and shared resources. The goal isn't to revert to the past, but to integrate real food and food security into our lives. It’s about doing what we can where we are, striving for resilience over perfection.

Healthy living means nurturing our relationships, our food, our land, and ourselves. Our aim isn’t to live entirely off the land, but to build a balanced, modern life where we create more than we consume.

Thanks for joining me today. Remember, homesteading is a journey towards resilience and balance. 🌻

If you’d like to join our Patreon page, you can get early access to all our podcast episodes and monthly live Q&As with Miah and Jess (including past lives). Visit our Patreon Page to learn more and check out past episodes of the podcast on the website.

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 68 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast.

Today, I'm talking about the challenges of waiting for dreams to come true and how we can use these periods of waiting to grow. It’s a topic close to my heart, and I hope it resonates with you.

Waiting can feel frustrating, but it's also an opportunity to learn and grow. Instead of seeing waiting as a setback, think of it as a classroom where you can gain valuable lessons. As I often say, "Turn your waiting room into your classroom."

Life often places us in "waiting rooms," whether it’s waiting for a new home, a job, or another important dream of yours. It's crucial to make the most of these times. Use this period to refine your dream, develop new skills, and appreciate the journey. As scripture tells us "Whoever can be trusted with very little can be trusted with very much" (Luke 16:10).

Reflect on this: How can you turn your waiting room into a classroom? Embrace the time you have now to prepare for the future you want. Waiting is not wasted time; it's a chance to grow and get ready for what's next. "If you are willing to work on yourself in the waiting room of your life, you can't lose!"

Thanks for joining me today. Remember, every waiting room is a classroom in disguise. 🌻

If you’d like to join our Patreon page, you can get early access to all our podcast episodes and monthly live Q&As with Miah and Jess (including past lives). Visit our Patreon Page to learn more and check out past episodes of the podcast on the website.

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 67 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast.

In honor of Father's Day, Miah is taking over for Jess today. I'm joined by my friend Jesse from Willowbrook Homestead, and together, we're diving into the heart of fatherhood. We'll explore the crucial questions: How important is it to be a father? What are we doing as fathers, and why? What lessons matter most, and who do we look to for inspiration? How do we juggle the roles of father, provider, and individual?

We emphasize the need to be mindful of how our children experience life and our parenting, acknowledging that memories can differ significantly without that awareness. We'll discuss the balance of effective praise, ensuring we don't over-praise undeservedly or neglect to praise at all.

We'll reflect on learning from our parents' successes and failures and the importance of generational evolution. Plus, we'll talk about the value of apologizing to our children when we fall short of our parenting ideals or make mistakes along the way.

Our goal as fathers is to limit trauma for future generations and foster a nurturing and loving environment. Join us as we delve into the profound journey of fatherhood and share our insights and experiences.

Thanks for tuning in to the Roots and Refuge Podcast. Happy Father's Day to all the amazing dads out there! 🌻

If you’d like to join our Patreon page, you can get early access to all our podcast episodes and monthly live Q&As with Miah and Jess (including past lives). Visit our Patreon Page to learn more and check out past episodes of the podcast on the website.

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 66 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast.

Today, I'm tackling the hard parts of homesteading, inspired by a post I saw in a wonderful Facebook group. It's easy to romanticize, but the reality is that homesteading is incredibly challenging and requires grit, discipline, and sacrifice. Despite the difficulties, it's worth it, and even the hard moments can be beautiful.

Homesteading can be isolating and often goes against the mainstream, but the naysayers can fuel your determination. Rural life brings unique challenges, and there's a hefty price on failure, leading to moments of disappointment when expectations don't match reality. However, the satisfaction and gratitude for hard work, the forethought and planning required (mentioned recipe here), and the deeply rewarding nature of this lifestyle make it all worthwhile.

Remember, homesteading isn't a one-size-fits-all journey, and life on the farm changes with each season. The challenge and intention behind every task are what make this life beautiful and deeply satisfying.

Join me as we explore the hard truths and rewards of homesteading, and let's appreciate the journey together. 🌱

Thanks for listening to the Roots and Refuge Podcast, where we embrace the art of homesteading and mindful living.

If you’d like to join our Patreon page, you can get early access to all our podcast episodes and monthly live Q&As with Miah and me (including past lives). Visit our Patreon Page to learn more and check out past episodes of the podcast on the website.

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 65 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast.

With the garden season really getting underway now, it's the perfect time to start planning how you'll preserve your harvest. Food preservation is a major task on the homestead, and today I'll share my thoughts on various methods to help you make the most of your produce.

Drying/Dehydrating: Ideal for fruits, herbs, and creating seasoning powders. While not suitable for all produce, it's perfect for herbs, jerky, and cherry tomatoes.

Freezing: Best for preserving nutrition but comes with drawbacks like texture changes and a reliance on electricity. It's great for meats and convenient for many vegetables.

Canning (water bath & pressure): Produces convenient and ready-to-eat products. Canning is a great entry point for a new homesteader. Remember to water bath high-acid foods and pressure can low-acid foods.

Curing/Smoking: A valuable, albeit niche skill that offers variety and uniqueness. It requires time and learning but adds great value and diversity to your pantry.

Fermenting: Offers health benefits and unique flavors. It does require refrigeration after initial fermentation and may not appeal to everyone.

Long Storing: Best for dry goods and things like onions and squash, this method is hands-off and crucial for long-term storage without electricity. Organization is key to keep stock rotated.

Freeze Drying: Provides high-quality, long-lasting products but is costly and time-consuming. It's great for novelties, seasoning mixes, and preserving leftovers.

These methods together ensure a well-stocked pantry throughout the year, even when the garden isn't producing. I hope this information helps you to dive into each technique and find the best preservation strategies for your homestead.

Thanks for joining us on the Roots and Refuge Podcast, where we explore the art of homesteading and mindful living. 🌱

If you’d like to join our Patreon page, you can get early access to all our podcast episodes and monthly live Q&As with Miah and me (including past lives). Visit our Patreon Page to learn more and check out past episodes of the podcast on the website.

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 64 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast.

After a refreshing break, I'm feeling creatively recharged and excited to share my renewed passion for homesteading with you. In this episode I delve into the profound impact the authors Alice Waters and Barbara Kingsolver have had on my journey, particularly through their books, "We Are What We Eat" and "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle."

We'll discuss the journey of gaining knowledge and everything that goes along with improved competence and confidence. I'll discuss my evolving "why" for homesteading, focusing on food security, skills, and creating a simpler, beautiful life for my family.

So please join me as I reflect on finding joy in simplicity, making conscious choices, and aligning daily decisions with core values such as simplicity, frugality, pride, beauty, art, connection, and relationships. Discover how to build a life of beauty by focusing on what truly matters and embracing the small, everyday joys that bring satisfaction and fulfillment.

Thanks for joining us on the Roots and Refuge Podcast, where we celebrate intentional living and mindful choices. 🌱

If you’d like to join our Patreon page, you can get early access to all our podcast episodes and monthly live Q&As with Miah and me (including past lives). Visit our Patreon Page to learn more and check out past episodes of the podcast on the website.

Hey, everyone! Welcome to episode 63 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast.

In today's episode we're diving into a candid discussion about homesteading being a sustainable lifestyle versus a trendy hobby.

We'll explore the concept of mindful consumption across all aspects of life, questioning the true value of investing our energy into every homemade endeavor. We'll also chat about 2 personality types when it comes to facing change. Are you a "frying pan personality" or a "crockpot personality"? Let's dig into the merits of immediate versus gradual change and how to find sustainable habits that align with our values and the reality of our daily lives.

Join me as we navigate the pitfalls of comparison and condemnation in the age of social media, and learn how to apply homesteading principles realistically to create lasting changes.

Remember, living sustainably isn't accidental — it requires relentless mindfulness of our consumption habits. Tune in to discover how I strive to strike the balance between homemade and convenience, ensuring each choice we make in our home is a mindful one.

Thanks for joining me on the Roots and Refuge Podcast, where we're all about fostering intentional living and mindful choices. 🌱

If you’d like to join our Patreon page, you can get early access to all our podcast episodes and monthly live Q&As with Miah and me (including past lives). Visit our Patreon Page to learn more and check out past episodes of the podcast on the website.

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 62 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast.

In today's episode I had the pleasure of sitting down to chat with my friend Kelly Brotherton to delve into the profound topic of intentional friendship and womanhood.

As we reflect on a meaningful weekend spent with cherished girlfriends, Kelly and I share insights into the importance of intentional relationships, particularly for women. We explore the value of fostering connections with individuals who possess diverse perspectives and thinking patterns, highlighting the role of diversity of thought for personal growth.

Join us as we discuss the significance of embracing disagreement and conflict within relationships, grounded in a foundation of love and a shared commitment to growth.

Don't miss this insightful conversation that celebrates the transformative power of female friendships and the beauty of forging meaningful connections.

If you'd like to see more from Kelly you can find her at the Better Together Homestead: https://www.youtube.com/@BetterTogetherLife

Thanks for tuning in to the Roots and Refuge Podcast, where we believe in the strength and solidarity found in community. 🌟

If you’d like to join our Patreon page, you can get early access to all our podcast episodes and monthly live Q&As with Miah and me (including past lives). Visit our Patreon Page to learn more and check out past episodes of the podcast on the website.