The Best Homesteading and Gardening Podcasts for Self-Sufficiency

The Best Homesteading and Gardening Podcasts for Self-Sufficiency

by | Mar 18, 2021 | Gardening, In the Kitchen, Simple Living

One of the first steps to starting a homestead is conducting a LOT of research.  When we really started entertaining the idea of becoming more self-sufficient, I read many articles, watched lots of  videos, and listened to many podcasts.  What I love about homesteading podcasts are that they are typically FREE and that I can utilize dead time, like doing dishes, folding laundry or commuting, by listening to them.  Podcasts allow me to mutiltask and that is super important.

One of the major challenges in homesteading is just having the confidence to take on such a large, lifestyle-changing project.  What I love about homesteading podcasts is that you can really get a sense for the challenges and successes of those who have been doing it for a long time.  Many of the podcasts that I listen to primarily focus on the host’s challenges and successes of their homestead.  Some also showcase guests who can further provide insight into the reality of homesteading.  This insight is so valuable as it provides the listener with confidence and encouragement that they can also achieve such a goal.

This list is comprised of the best Homesteading and Gardening podcasts that I have found.  I have listened to several episodes of each one of them and have chosen the best ones in my opinion to share with you!

Here is a list of Homesteading/Gardening podcasts that could really help you out as you start on your homesteading journey.

Homesteading Podcasts

Pioneering Today Podcast with Melissa K. Norris

The Pioneering Today Podcast with Melissa K. Norris was also one that I started listening to a while ago when I really started to plan and research starting a homestead.  I love how she covers a variety of topics with her episodes.  I feel as though I come away from each one with many actionable tips and tricks. 

One of my favorite aspects of the Pioneering Today Podcast is the amount of episodes dedicated to homestead kitchen topics. From baking ingredient substitutions, to meal planning, to how to build your homestead pantry, a behind the scenes look into a homesteader’s kitchen is not a perspective that I have found in any other podcast.  I also love how you really get the sense of the pride and honor Melissa has in sharing her family’s recipes and traditions.

Here are some of my favorite episodes:

Episode 155: Batch & Freezer Cooking – 12 Time Saving Tips for Homemade Meals

Episode 131: Homesteading for Beginners – 9 Transition Tips from City Life

Episode 119: How to make soap at home – Beginners Guide to Soap Making

Old-Fashioned On Purpose

I have been a fan and follower of Jill Winger ever since I got the first urge to start a garden.  So when she started a podcast, I was all about it!  As with all of her content, her podcast, Old-Fashioned On Purpose, is well done, informative, relatable, and inspiring.

She really has a way of making all of the things homesteading and self-sufficiency seem attainable and doable regardless of who you are!  So much good content, she really is your one-stop shop for homesteading and gardening.  One of my favorite aspects is learning how she weathers the harsh winters of Wyoming and how she makes the most of her garden regardless of her short growing season.

Dreaming of Having a Vegetable Garden this year?

Grab the Your Dream Vegetable Garden Plan for FREE to get you started today!  Start growing your groceries this year!

Rural Women Inspired with Mindy Young

One of the things that I love about homesteaders producing their own podcasts is that after listening to them for a while, you really get a feeling that you are along for the ride with them on their homesteading journey.  That is how I feel when I listen to Rural Women Inspired with Mindy Young.  She is an impressive homesteader.  When she talks about her market garden, I swoon!  Who wouldn’t love a market garden?

She has been doing the homesteading thing her whole life and she offers some really awesome tips and insights for inspiring homesteaders.  She just seems so sweet and friendly!  I also love real stories that she tells because it is always great to hear how even seasoned homesteaders struggle with aspects of the lifestyle and it really helps me relax and slow down a little!  The topics covered are great for beginners, they are not so advanced that they do not seem attainable and doable which I think is so important for podcasters and bloggers who are targeting new homesteaders.  Homesteading can be intimidating!

Farmish Kind Of Life with Amy Dingman

Amy Dingman is the host of the Farmish Kind of Life Podcast.  Amy podcasts about her Minnetosa homestead and gives the listeners an honest and transparent view of homesteading.  This candid look into an established homestead is so helpful for any new homesteader.  What I really like is that while her episodes are concise, usually less than 30 minutes, she manages to pack a lot of information into each episode without too much filer.  After listening to her for a while, I really value her advice.  She finds a nice balance between illustrating the tough reality of homesteading while also maintaining a funny and encouraging tone.  Some unique topics she has covered in the past include; weather prediction tips, rendering lard, and hatching chicks.

Episode 47: Old Fashioned Weather Prediction Tips

Episode 41: Two Ways to Render Lard… And What to Use it For

Episode 43: Hatching Chicks? Incubator Vs. Broody Hen

Dreaming of Having a Vegetable Garden this year?

Grab the Your Dream Vegetable Garden Plan for FREE to get you started today!  Start growing your groceries this year!

Mother Earth News and Friends Podcast

Professional production quality and engaging hosts and guests are only some of the strengths of the Mother Earth News and Friends Podcast.  This is a really awesome podcast.  I love how they tend to find unique homesteading, gardening, and small farm topics that are not commonly covered by other podcasts.  One of my favorite episodes is focused on grant opportunity for small farms and homesteads.  I am willing to bet that there are SO many people who have never even considered this option.

I also love how they really create the feel of a homesteading community, one in which is not just open to experts, but welcomes anyone interested in learning more about self-sufficiency!

Small Farm Nation with Tim Young

While the Small Farm Nation Podcast with Tim Young primarily focuses on the business aspects of managing a small farm, Tim provides so much valuable information that serious homesteaders will find useful and exciting.  Even though I do not have a farm business nor do I ever really plan to have one, I find his tips on marketing your farm, leasing your land, and product pricing so interesting that it makes me want to start a farm business!  I highly recommend listening to his podcast if you even have the inkling of wanting to sell your homestead products.  Not only is the podcast super informative, I haven’t found one that gets so deep in the weeds about farm business, but it is also very professionally done and easy to listen to. Highly recommend!

 

Gardening Podcasts

Epic Gardening

The Epic Gardening Podcast with Kevin has quickly become one of my favorites.  The Epic Gardening podcast consists of a pretty large library of awesome short episodes on very focused topics.  These are usually on topics that I didn’t know that I needed or wanted to know more about.

Kevin drops a new episode everyday,  listening to the newest episode has become a daily ritual for me.  Some examples of topics are: the science of poison ivy, seed starting tips, perennial edibles, grafting and how to grow plants in the bathroom, just to name a few.  As a guest based podcast, the guests are always knowledgeable.  I am enjoying catching up on past episodes. Check it out!

The Daily Gardener with Jennifer Ebeling

If you are looking for something that blends history and intellect with your love of nature and gardening, you cannot miss The Daily Gardener with Jennifer Ebeling.  This podcast is showcases daily episodes releasing every week day, Monday – Friday.  Jennifer offers gardening thoughts and breveties that are sure to help educate and inspire her listeners.  I am also in love with the historical and modern looks at how gardening has evolved and shapes our lives. It really is such a unique focus of this podcast. If you are a garden lover you can’t miss this one!

While you are getting hooked on The Daily Gardner Podcast, don’t miss out on Jennifer’s previous podcast: The Still Growing Podcast.  Even though this podcast is not still in production, there is still a huge library of episodes with really valuable information available.

The Still Growing Podcast fouses on helping listeners to make the most out of their gardens, as well as, to live a more natural life.  This show covers flower, vegetable, and herb gardening in great detail.  It is a very organized and well produced show.  Most episodes showcase an interview with an expert guest on a particular topic.

Gardenerd Tip of the Week

The Gardenerd Tip of the Week podcast is another well done podcast that covers a wide variety of gardening topics.  This podcast showcases a different garden expert each week. They generally discuss a topic and then the expert gives the audience a gardening tip of the week.  The upbeat and lively conversations between the host and her guests are always very indepth and useful.  Some of my favorite topics covered in this podcast are cooking from the garden, foraging, and growing squash.

 

Dreaming of Having a Vegetable Garden this year?

Grab the Your Dream Vegetable Garden Plan for FREE to get you started today!  Start growing your groceries this year!

Tending Seeds: Adventures in Farming, Gardening, and Herbalism

Tending Seeds is a podcast that I have been listening to and really love.  Her main focus is herbalism but she also talks about other topics like flower gardening.  I think it is awesome to start listening to a podcast at its very beginning.  I definitely feel like I am along for the ride with her.  Her episodes are really well done and fun to listen to.  I recommend checking it out, it will be awesome to follow the progress of her gardening journey!

The Joe Gardner Show with Joe Lamp’l

The Joe Gardener Show with Joe Lamp’l  is a very well done podcast.  It is very focused on the ins and outs of vegetable gardening.  There is not much straying from the primary topic which is really great because Joe goes into so much detail in his episodes that you can’t help but find real actionable tips and tricks in every one.

As the host of Fresh from the Garden on the DIY Network and Growing and Greener World on PBS, Joe has ample experience in broadcasting.  He is so easy to listen to, sometimes I just tune in to listen for a few minutes and end up listening to a a whole show because his show is so immersive.  He is the ultimate expert in organic gardening and you really can’t miss his show if you are looking for guidance in the garden.

Sustainable World Radio

Sustainable World Radio with Jill Cloutier is much more than just another gardening or homesteading podcast.  This podcast focuses on the topics of ecology and permaculture.  One aspect that I love about this podcast is that the topics often focus on environment projects from around the world.  Jill does a great job spreading positive awareness on taking care of the earth through permaculture and provides the audience with some great ideas on how to live a greener life.

My favorite episode so far is a recent one focusing on growing Paw Paws.  I am sad to say that I have never heard of Paw Paws before but after listening to this episode, it made me want to just run out and plant one in my garden.  This is definitely a project that will be added to my list.

Dreaming of Having a Vegetable Garden this year?

Grab the Your Dream Vegetable Garden Plan for FREE to get you started today!  Start growing your groceries this year!

Archived Podcasts not currently producing content but have an awesome library of episodes

Living Homegrown Podcast with Theresa Loe

The Living Homegrown Podcast with Theresa Lowe is the first homesteading podcast that I started routinely listening to.  Theresa has an impressive background as a canning and food preservation expert and focuses her podcast on small space homesteading.  She delivers her podcast with such a welcoming and supportive tone that I always finish her episodes with a much higher sense of confidence and drive to pursue new projects and challenges.

She also features a wide range of guests on the podcast. I have learned a lot about from other’s experiences. While she is not currently uploading podcasts and the last upload was in 2019, there is still a huge collection of super helpful episodes.  Here are some of my favorite episodes:

Episode 142: Farming on 5 Acres or Less

Episode 166: Backyard Chicken Keeping Hacks

Episode 120: How to make Natural Household Cleaners

The Modern Homesteading Podcast with Harold Thornbro

The Modern Homesteading Podcast with Harold Thornbro is an all inclusive homesteading podcast which covers everything you need to help you start your homestead.  He focuses of animal husbandry, food preservation, gardening, and other many other self-sufficient skills.  His show is primarily guest based, featuring a wide range of homesteading experts.  I also love hearing about his family’s journey on thier homestead.  Most of his shows are right around a half hour, making it so easy to put on in the car while you are doing errands or driving to work.  This is a must have in your weekly lineup if you are looking to really immerse yourself if the homesteading lifestyle.  While the episodes are not currently being produced, two of my favorite episodes are:

Episode 99: What to Do First to Turn A New Home Into a Homestead

Episode 114: Family Homesteading with Guest Teri Page

Homesteady Podcast

The Homesteady Podcast is such a unique and interesting homesteading podcast that I just had to include it!  Even though new episodes are not being produced right now, I love catching up to all of thier older episodes.  Often times podcasters, bloggers, and writers portray homesteading as a picture perfect endeavor.  The host, Aust makes a point to show homesteading from all angles, the good and the ugly.  Not to mention, his show is really funny and honest.  While he sometimes gets off on tangents about a topic that especially excites him, it is always entertaining, refreshing, and authentic.

His series of episodes on homestead side hustles was extremely insightful and helpful.  As a new homesteader, I found his realistic and honest approach to homesteading very encouraging; as it makes homesteading seem much more attainable when you remove the “magazine cover” feeling.  Check it out!

What is your favorite homesteading or gardening podcast?

Are there any great podcasts that are missing from this list?

Dreaming of Having a Vegetable Garden this year?

Grab the Your Dream Vegetable Garden Plan for FREE to get you started today!  Start growing your groceries this year!

How to Choose the Right Garden Soil for any Project

How to Choose the Right Garden Soil for any Project

by | Mar 16, 2021 | Gardening

If there was one thing that I recommend to a beginner gardeners it would be to make sure you choose the right garden soil for your project.

Choosing the wrong type of soil can be a huge and costly mistake and deterimental to the survival of your plants.

The decision of which type of soil to use for your current project may seem overwheming.  Step into a garden center and you will find many different types of soil, soil amendments, and plant food that choosing the right one may seem daunting.

Here you will find a breakdown of the different types of garden soil and how you can ensure you choose the right garden soil for your plants.

mint extract pin

Garden Soil Basics

Some soils are formulated to provide the most ideal conditions for a specific type of plant.  Whether you are starting seeds, planning in a garden bed, potting indoor plants, or creating an in-ground garden plot, the type of soil you choose could make or break you success.

There are several different types of soil such as; native soil, organic soil, synthetic soil, potting soil, seed starter, compost, etc.  Knowing which one is the best for your project could be the difference in having thriving, fruitful plants, or having an unsuccessful garden.

Read on for a simple breakdown for the different types of soils you may see and when and how you should use them.

Dreaming of Having a Vegetable Garden this year?

Grab the Your Dream Vegetable Garden Plan for FREE to get you started today!  Start growing your groceries this year!

Native Soil

Native soil is quite simply, the natural soil from your backyard or landscape.  This is what you may be using if you are planting directly in the ground or in a garden plot.

One thing you DO NOT want to do is take native soil from outside and try to use it for indoor plants.  Native soil can house and harbor insect eggs which will hatch and release pests once it come indoors and reaches a warmer temperature.  Make sure you are only using potting soil for indoor plants.

Before planting in your native soil, it will be important to determine the type and quality of your soil so that you can decide if additional nutrients need to be added, which can be done through testing.

native soil

Types of Native Soil

hauThere are many aspects to your native soil which will greatly determine the success of your garden.  First, you will want to determine wether your soil is sandy, clay, silty, or loamy.  Some of these  consistencies are better than others and if it is not conducive to a healthy garden, you may need to build it out with store bought soil and amendments.

To find out what kind of soil consistency you have, you can conduct what is called the “squeeze test”.

To conduct a squeeze test, first pick up a handful of dirt (make sure the dirt isn’t soaking wet) and rub it between your ungloved fingers.

The consistency and ability to hold its shape will determine which category it is in:

  • Clay – slippery and maintains a ball shape
  • Sand – gritty and crumbly, dry
  • Loam – crumbly but maintains a loose ball.
  • Silty – light and powdery and does not hold shape.

It is so interesting because I actually have multiple types of soil in my yard.  My front garden plot has very wet soil, which definitely consists of heavy clay.  Another area has beautiful loamy soil which has been wonderful for many types of plants.  A few other areas are sandy soil, which usually needs some amendments.

A breakdown of the benefits and negative aspects of each type are as follows:

  • Sandy soil – Water and nutrients drain easily but the soil is less fertile.  Easy to dig but will dry out easy.  Good for root vegetables but not great for vegetables that need more nutrients.
  • Clay soil – Heavy soil that doesn’t drain water easily.  Plants can get waterlogged or root rot since there is no drainage.  You may want to consider raised beds for better drainage if you are looking to grow root vegetables.  Brassicas will grow well in clay soil.
  • Silty soil – Soft and powdery, finer than sandy soil.  Shallow root vegetables such as beets, onions, herbs, are a great option.
  • Loamy soil – The best soil to have!  Loamy soil is somewhat of a mixture of the other types.  Holds moisture well, but also drains well.  Loamy soil will contain and retain nutrients.

Getting your soil tested

For a more serious gardener, knowing what type of soil you have is only the beginning.  The best way to really gauge the quality of your garden soil and how successful it will be in growing your chosen vegetables is to conduct a soil test.  A soil test will tell you what nutrients are missing or what nutrients are in excess.  Having this information will allow you to determine any additives, fertilizer, or amendments that may need necessary.

Two easy ways to conduct a soil sample are to purchase an at-home kit or to collect samples and send them to a local soil testing laboratory.

An at-home soil testing kit will be less complicated but it may also be less accurate and comprehensive.  At-home kits will give you information on your soil’s pH and levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash.  These tests can be purchased at any garden supply center.

An at-home soil test is a great option for your yearly soil upkeep, but it is important to at least conduct one laboratory level test when first starting.  This will give you a really great idea of what you are working with.

I was able to do a soil test through a local university.  Check out the universities and colleges in your area and see if they offer a soil testing program.  You can also check out your state’s extension agriculture office to see if they have any programs in your area.

soil

Seed Starting Soil

If you have decided to start your own plants from seeds indoors you will want to make sure that you are using a seed starter.

Seed starting mixtures are specifically desifned to be extremely light weight.  The purpose of a seed starting mix is to allow the seed to sprout and reach the surface of soil.  If the soil is too heavy or dense, the delicate seedling will not be able to push it’s way to the top.

In addition to having a light and airy texture, a seed starting mix also has nutrients and food that allow the seed to germinate.

Once a seedling has emerged from the surface, and has developed leaves, it will be transplanted to a larger pot with potting soil.

seed starting soil

Dreaming of Having a Vegetable Garden this year?

Grab the Your Dream Vegetable Garden Guide for FREE to get you started today!  Start growing your groceries this year!

Gardening Soil vs Potting Mix

One of the biggest questions I get about soil is: “What is the difference between gardening soil and potting mix?”.

Garden soil is typically top soil, or natural soil mixed with amendments that make it suitable for the average outdoor plant.  You may see bags of these advertised at a garden center as flower garden soil or vegetable garden soil.

Garden soil is ideal if you are filling raised beds or adding soil back into your in-ground garden beds.  You do not want to use garden soil for indoor plants as there may be insect eggs that will hatch once it is inside.

Potting mix is typically a mix of ingredients that are not from natural soil.  Instead it uses a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, bark, among other things.  The purpose of these ingredients is to allow for good drainage which makes potting soil the best options for containers and indoor plants.

Some potting mixes may contain synthetic materials so if you are trying to keep your plants and garden organic, you will want to double check the formula that you are purchasing.  In addition, potting mix can be more expensive than other soils so you will want to do a cost assessment if you are filling a lot of containers or pots.

garden pots

Top Soil

Top soil is the top layer of soil.  If you are trying to build out your garden and need to add structure, you will want to add top soil.  If you are purchasing it in bulk, you can usually get screened or unscreened.  Screened topsoil has been sifted to remove rocks and other debris and typically has an even consistency.

Top soil does not have additional nutrients or amendments as gardening soil does.  Top soil is your typical material for landscaping and can be used as fill dirt.

If you are planning on growing in the purchased top soil, you will most likely need to add nutrients to allow for a better garden medium.  Gardening soil is basically top soil with the nutrients and amendments already added.

garden soil shovel

Compost

Compost is not a stand alone planting medium.  It is a material that is added to provide nutrients, food, and minerals back into the chosen soil.

Compost is a natural mixture made typically made of waste that decomposes to create a nutrient rich material that is very beneficial to plants.  Compost provides structure to the soil, as well as, allows for better drainage.  Compost is made of organic materials such as leaves, tree needles, fruit and vegetable waste, and garden waste (as long as it does not have any disease).

compost

While choosing the right garden soil may seem complicated, as you can see there are circumstances where one soil will be superior to the others.

Choosing the right garden soil for you specific garden project is one of the most important decisions you can make and choosing incorrectly could hinder your ability to grow a beautiful and abundant garden.

If you are planning a garden this year and are not sure where to start, don’t miss our FREE Your Dream Vegetable Garden Guide.  This guide will get you started with all of the beginning steps to creating a beautiful, bountiful garden.  Get yours here: Your Dream Vegetable Garden Guide

Dreaming of Having a Vegetable Garden this year?

Grab the Your Dream Vegetable Garden Guide for FREE to get you started today!  Start growing your groceries this year!

2 Homemade Toilet Cleaners that Really Work

2 Homemade Toilet Cleaners that Really Work

by | Feb 18, 2021 | Simple Living

When it comes to cleaning the house with little kids, being able to whip together a cleaner in just a few seconds is a lifesaver.  I have been looking for any way to eliminate toxic cleaners and use more natural ingredients.  A homemade toilet cleaner was at the top of my list.

I love being able to take a few ingredients, usually 2-3 and some essential oils and make a cleaner that can be used immediately.

I have come to realize that the store-bought cleaners that I used to spend $3-$5 dollars a bottle on are dangerous, harsh, and just unnecessary for daily cleaning.

These homemade concoctions are so easy and inexpensive to make, you will never want to buy a commercial brand toilet cleaner again.

I love having options and being aware of possible ingredient substitutions for the recipes that I use regularly. 

While most of the ingredients that are included in these super simple recipes are things that I have on hand at all times, it is great to have an alternative if necessary.

Cleaning your toilet, is not fun.  I also find that I am cleaning my toilet way more frequently than I do a whole bathroom cleanup, so I needed a method that was easy and quick.

Fortunately, these simple and easy recipes are so effective to use, they really get the job done quickly.

1. Vinegar Version Toilet Bowl Cleaner

iiIngredients for vinegar version:

  • 1/2 cup Vinegar
  • 1 cup Baking Soda
  • 3 – 5 drops Essential Oils (Lemon, Lavender, Tea Tree, or Clove are great choices to disinfect and freshen) My absolute favorite essential oils are Jubilee of Wellness. You can find their awesome line of oils here: Jubilee of Wellness Essential Oils. 

 

Directions:

  1. Add ingredients to the toilet bowl First add the vinegar, then sprinkle the backing soda over top.  Finally add the essential oils.
  2. Let sit for 15 minutes.
  3. Scrub with a toilet brush and and rinse by flushing.

Your 1st Step to a Simple Living Lifestyle!

A great place to start with Simple Living is to start making your own cleaning and personal products!

With this FREE eBook, you can easily get started with over 10 quick but effective recipes that use ingredients you already have in your house!

2) Hydrogen Peroxide Version

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup Hydrogen Peroxide
  • 1 cup Baking Soda
  • 3 – 5 drops Essential Oils (Lemon, Lavender, Tea Tree, or Clove are great choices to disinfect).  My absolute favorite essential oils are Jubilee of Wellness. You can find thier awesome line of oils here: Jubilee of Wellness Essential Oils

Directions:

  1. Add ingredients to the toilet bowl. First add hydrogen peroxide to the toilet, then sprinkle baking soda over top.  Finally add the essential oils.
  2. Let sit for 15 minutes.
  3. Scrub and rinse by flushing.

Of these two methods, I much prefer the vinegar method.  Hydrogen peroxide will do in a pinch but vinegar is cheaper and I always have it on hand.

Typically I keep a small jar of vinegar (which I fill and refill from a larger bulk bottle), a mason jar of baking soda with a sprinkle lid (a lid from a parmesan cheese container works great), a bottle of lemon essential oils, and a toilet brush in my bathroom closet at all times.

The job is easy which is great because I hate cleaning the bathroom!

Love these super easy, homemade recipes?  Check out our easy, effective, and homemade ant killer. 

If so, grab the Simple Living DIY ebook by signing up below!

Your 1st Step to a Simple Living Lifestyle!

A great place to start with Simple Living is to start making your own cleaning and personal products!

With this FREE eBook, you can easily get started with over 10 quick but effective recipes that use ingredients you already have in your house!

How to Make Vintage Dried Orange Slices

How to Make Vintage Dried Orange Slices

by | Dec 12, 2020 | In the Kitchen, Simple Living

Can you relate?

I tend to swoon for anything vintage or traditional especially when it comes to decorating for the holidays.  Have you ever seen those beautiful dried orange slices that are typically found during the holidays? They are often associated with vintage, old-fashioned Christmas decor. Good news, they are SO easy to make!

mint extract pin

Why Dry Orange Slices?

Dried Orange slices are very easy to make, very versitle and add a wonderful homemade element to crafts and cooking.

Believe it or not, oranges and other citrus fruits are in season during the winter months, which is why it is so commonly used in holiday decor.

Traditionally, people utilized fruits and vegetables as they were in season. In the winter, they also use preserved foods from thier spring/summer harvests.

This is typically why we see so many oranges and cranberries both in Christmas decor and seasonal winter recipes.

There are many different uses for dried orange slices. Some of them are:

  • Holiday decor – Ornaments, garlands, or  embelishments for homemade gifts.
  • Potpouri – Simmer on the stove with other seasonal ingredients to make your whole house smell wonderful.
  • Garnish for fancy dishes

Your 1st Step to a Simple Living Lifestyle!

 

A great place to start with Simple Living is to start making your own cleaning and personal products!

With this FREE eBook, you can easily get started with over 10 quick but effective recipes that use ingredients you already have in your house!

What Type of Oranges?

You will notice that during the winter seasons, oranges and other citrus fruits may be on sale.  Since they are in season, this is a great time to grab a bag or two. One to enjoy and one to preserve.

There are several different types of oranges that you may find in the grocery store. Clementines, tangerines, blood oranges, valencia, and cara cara are just a few that are in season during the winter. The Spruce does a really great breakdown of the types of oranges that you can find in season during the winter months. You can find it here: Winter Citrus.

As far as making dried orange slices, stay clear of tangerines or clementines and look for a large slicing orange with a thick peel.  I typically buy a large bag of naval oranges for about $2.00.

 

What you need

A dehydrator is a really great option or drying fruits and vegetables quickly.  They can be pricey, although you can probably find a decent one for around $30.  You do not need one though!

I simply use an oven at low temp will get you very similar results.

A cookie sheet and oven safe rack is also necessary.

That is pretty much it!

What you need:

  • Dehydrator or oven
  • Cookie sheet
  • Oven safe rack (optional)
  • Knife
  • Oranges
  • Powdered sugar (optional)

 

 

Slice oranges about 1/4 inch thick

The most important thing to make sure you do is to cut the orange slices consistently for even baking.

Having slices of difference thickness will cause some to cook faster and possibly burn.

Bake at 250 degrees F

If you have a dehydrator, use it according to directions. I have not purchased a dehydrator so I do not know the exact settings necessary.

For drying without a dehydrator, set your oven to 250 degrees F.

Lay out your slices on the rack on the cookie sheet. I did not use a cookie sheet so it is not absolutely necessary.

Sprinkle slices with powdered sugar.

Cook the slices for 2.5 -3 hours.

 

I recommend to start with cooking the orange slices for about 2 hours.  Isn’t that fresh orange smell that is filling your kitchen just wonderful!

After 2 hours, check them and flip them.

Let them go another 1/2 hour.  Typically you can let them go another hour but check them first to be sure.

Your 1st Step to a Simple Living Lifestyle!

 

A great place to start with Simple Living is to start making your own cleaning and personal products!

With this FREE eBook, you can easily get started with over 10 quick but effective recipes that use ingredients you already have in your house!

Do not let them turn brown

I have made the mistake of letting them go until they dry completely. Once that happens, they have usually turned brown and have an overcooked appearance to them.

You want the peels to be dry but the fruit can still be slightly moist.  You can let them air dry the rest of the way.

Once done cooking, pull them out and lay them on a kitchen towl to finish drying for a few hours.

Perfect for the Christmas season!

Vintage dried orange slices are so versatile and definitely worth the minimal time and effort required to make them.  If you can take advantage of oranges while they are season, you can save a lot of money.

Christmas decor is one of the most common uses.  I like to incorporate it onto wreaths, garlands for the tree, and ornaments.

Potpourri is also a really great use for dried orange slices.  Add oranges, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, pine/juniper needles, or whatever you have on hand to a small sauce pan.  Cover with water and simmer on low heat on the back burner. Delicious holiday smells adds such wonderful atmosphere to your Christmas season.  This is so easy to do and is a great way to use up scraps that would otherwise be thrown away.

 

holiday potpourri

How to store them

Before storing them, make sure that they have completely air dried.  If you package them up before they are completely dry, they can start to mold.

I like to store them in mason jars, which make beautiful decor all on thier own.

Vintage Dried Orange Slices

What you need:

  • Dehydrator or oven
  • Cookie sheet
  • Oven safe rack (optional)
  • Knife
  • Oranges
  • Powdered sugar (optional)

 

Easy Drying Technique

  1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
  2. Cut Oranges into 1/4 in slices.
  3. Lay Orange Slices on oven safe rack onto of cookie sheet.
  4. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
  5. Cook for 2 hours.
  6. Check and flip orange slices.
  7. Cook for another 1/2 hour to 1 hour until almost dried.
  8. Remove from oven and lay on towel to finish drying.
  9. Use in decor and cooking as desired.
  10. Store in mason jars after completely dried to avoid mold.

Your 1st Step to a Simple Living Lifestyle!

 

A great place to start with Simple Living is to start making your own cleaning and personal products!

With this FREE eBook, you can easily get started with over 10 quick but effective recipes that use ingredients you already have in your house!

Enjoy doing your own projects and making it yourself?

Don’t miss my FREE Simple Living DIY eBook.

How to Create a Family Mealtime Routine

How to Create a Family Mealtime Routine

by | Nov 22, 2020 | In the Kitchen

It is no surprise that having a solid mealtime  routine is beneficial to the wellbeing of the entire family.  Being able to set aside 30 min – 1 hour every evening, or at least a couple of times a week, does wonders to improve communication among family members.

I know, for some the thought of getting a meal on the table and having the starts aline so that every member is sitting at once might seem like a fairytale. 

I have good news though! Establishing a stress/choas free mealtime routine may be easier that you imagined and I have tons of tips and trick to make it a reality for you.

mint extract pin

Why Family Meals are Important

Before we jump into the when, where and how, lets discuss the why.

It should be no surprise that there are many benefits to spending time with your family for an hour each day.  This intentional time does SO much to stregthen the communication bonds between family members, as well as it allows you as parents to keep a pulse on the wellbeing of the family.

Some other benefits are:

  • Brings family together intentionally
  • Establishing routine increases confidence and reliability for kids
  • Encourages healthy eating habits
  • Encourages good manners
  • For working parents, it creates dependable family time at the end of the day

Your 1st Step to a Simple Living Lifestyle!

A great place to start with Simple Living is to start making your own cleaning and personal products!

With this FREE eBook, you can easily get started with over 10 quick but effective recipes that use ingredients you already have in your house!

Creating a family mealtime routine

A family mealtime routine does not have to be extravagant. Keep it simple.  You also do not have to, nor should you, make an elaborate fancy dinner for every meal.

If having family meals is completely foreign to you, I definitely recommend starting with a simple meal, carryout, or delivery and focus on getting everyone to sit at the table together at the same time.

Clear off the table and just sit together.

You should consider:

  • Setting a specific dinner time
  • Establishing a routine for before dinner
  • Establishing a routine for after dinner

Set a specific dinner time

While it may be difficult at first to stick to a specific dinner time, it is really important to set that expectation if you are hoping to make family mealtime a priority.

If all members know what time they are expected to be at the table, there are not surprises or reasons for arguement. 

Make the time work for you. If you don’t get home until 4:30, don’t try to have dinner on the table at 5:00.

For us, my husband gets home at 5:00 and I like to try to have dinner at 5:30.  This helps him avoid snaking as soon as he gets home and it allows us time after dinner to spend with the kids.

 

A before dinner routine

Once of the most chaotic times of the day for my family is right before dinner. The kids are restless and the baby is usually between naps.  In order to get dinner done and on the table, it is important to have a gameplan for this time.

For the hour leading up to dinner, have an activity or something that can occupy them with little interaction from you.  Many times I try to limit the kids screen time throughout the day so that I can save it for this time.

In addition, it is important to make sure the kids snack before this time.  I try to cut off the kitchen from snacks 45 minutes leading up to meals.  If the kids are hungry, they can snack on something I am preparing if possible.  Hungry kids begging for food does not make your job any easier!

Have a transition plan

There is nothing worse than working your butt off to get everything on the table, piping hot, at once, and then having to hunt and beg everyone to stop what they are doing and come to the table.

By the time you wrangle everyone, everything is cold!

This can easily be taken care of by offering a 10 minute warning.  This allows for plenty of time for games or TV to be turned off, homework to be put away, hands washed and everybody sitting at the table.

That would be glorious, wouldn’t it?

Hand washing before sitting at the table is a routine that can be established. (Getting the kids to wash thier hands is something I ALWAYS forget, I know… gross… but it is something I am trying to work on!)

Also, having assigned seats may seem unecessary, although they tend to happen naturally, they can be helpful because they can prevent any arguement from kids who want to decide thier seats every night.

Setting Mealtime Expectations

While we are hoping that family mealtime is an enjoyable experience for everyone it is also a good idea to establish some expectations.

Here are some examples of the expecatations that we have:

  • Kids drink milk at dinner
  • Must try everything on your plate
  • Decide if you will enforce a clean dinner plate or eat until you feel full.
  • We have some form of dessert every night if you earn it.  You must eat enough meat and vegetables and be well behaved to earn dessert.

Obviously whatever works for your family is ideal.  There is not perfect plan or structure for a family mealtime routine.

 

Your 1st Step to a Simple Living Lifestyle!

A great place to start with Simple Living is to start making your own cleaning and personal products!

With this FREE eBook, you can easily get started with over 10 quick but effective recipes that use ingredients you already have in your house!

Get your kids involved

There is no reason that you should be doing everything.  Encouraging kids to help and pitch in, allows them to learn much needed kitchen skills.

Have someone help you set the table. You can also have an older kid help with food prep or cooking.  Cleaning up after the meal is definitely NOT something you should do yourself nor should you have to revisit a messy kitchen after the kids go to bed.

Instead, encourage everyone to help. Put on music and clean up the kitchen and dinning room before heading to the next activity.

In my earlier years, it was not uncommon for me to have dinner and then leave everything to move onto the kid’s bath and bedtime.  Coming back to a messy kitchen was so hard because I was tired and ready to wind down. The last thing I wanted to do was was scrub pans and wipe surfaces.

Kids like helping and you will be amazing at how much of a different a couple of helping hands can make.

Making it work for your family consistently

Having a special dinner every so often is not difficult, but creating a consist family mealtime routine is something that may take a little more effort to keep in place.

Some ways that I am able to get dinner on the table and everyone eating together everynight is by utilizing some of the following:

 

  • Meal planning – plain and simple.
  • Prepping some food before hand, either earlier in the day or in bulk earlier in the week.
  • Have an arsenal of simple meals that I can accomplish without thinking and with kids running around.
  • Keeping weeknight meals simple! (Think: soup and sandwiches, tacos, sheet meals, instapot/slowcooker).
  • If you don’t meal plan, spend 5 minutes in the morning, before kids get up or before you go to work to determine what dinner will be. This allows you to pull anything out of the freezer to defost in plenty of time.

Making Family Mealtime Pleasant

Ok so now that you have everyone FINALLY at the same table eating together, what happens next?

I know you want this to be enjoyable and a sucess, not something that makes you say “Never Again”!

Here are some tips for surviving the family mealtime.

 

  • No phones or screens at the table – and that goes for parents also!
  • No lecturing, save this for a quiet more intimate one-on-one time with the individual.
  • Keep conversation engaging by asking open ended questions.
  • Take it as an opportunity to teach younger kids about good manners and dinner ettiquite.
mint leaves

I think there is no denying the importance of sitting down every evening and sharing space and time with your family.

This time becomes a reliable means of connecting among family members and allows children time with thier parents that is unrushed, attentive, and routine.

Start small with one night this week.

Even if you are grabbing takeout, sit together and eat it. It does not have to be complicated.

Try it this week!

 

Your 1st Step to a Simple Living Lifestyle!

A great place to start with Simple Living is to start making your own cleaning and personal products!

With this FREE eBook, you can easily get started with over 10 quick but effective recipes that use ingredients you already have in your house!

Enjoy doing your own projects and making it yourself?

Don’t miss my FREE Simple Living DIY eBook.