The Homestead Challenge Podcast | Suburban Homesteading, Gardening, Food From Scratch, Sustainable Living

Ep 8: My Secret Sauce for Homesteading in a Modern World Without Guilt

This episode is a reminder not to fall into the comparison trap that can easily steal your joy and lead to guilt. Everyone's homesteading journey is completely different, and I am all about homesteading that is tailor-made to fit YOUR modern life, no one else's. 
Don’t force homesteading activities you don't enjoy. Don’t let others steal your joy when they point out that what you are doing isn’t good enough.
Do you agree with embracing imperfection on our homesteading journeys, or do you believe we should always strive for perfection?
HOMEWORK
Unfollow anyone on Instagram who makes you feel less than. Surround yourself with positivity.
 
Links Mentioned:
Instagram
The Homestead Challenge Facebook Community
Leave Feedback on the Show or Request a Topic

Ep 7: The 5 Best Phone Apps for Modern Homesteaders

Phones aren’t inherently bad. Instead of mindless scrolling, let's make our phone time count. Phones are seriously cool tools! We need to use them to our advantage and make the most of our screen time to help achieve our homesteading goals.
Featured Apps for Modern Homesteaders
Thrive Market, White Oak Pastures, Local Grocery Store App
Ovia (Cycle Tracker)
1000 Hours Outside
PlantNet (Plant Identification)
Merlin Bird ID
Bonus Apps
Planter
Podcast Platforms!
HOMEWORK
Download one app that will help you streamline your homesteading processes or live a healthier lifestyle this year.
 
Links Mentioned:
Best homesteading podcasts
The Homestead Challenge Facebook Community
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Ep 6: 7 Ways to Live a Toxic-Free Life this Year (with attainable swaps!)

Feeling overwhelmed with the daily grind and convinced you don't have time for DIY cleaning products and researching natural alternatives? I get it. But is that really true? I am not an expert, but we can all agree that minimizing toxic chemicals in our homes is a step towards a healthier lifestyle. Do your own research before making changes in your home.
I'll guide you through 7 ways to go toxic-free this year. From cleaning products to bath and body and everything in between, making small swaps one step at a time can have BIG effects on our overall health and wellness. 
Stay healthy, crunchy friend!
Homework: Make one swap this week (from the list or not) and tell me what it is inside the community or take a pic and tag me on Instagram!
Links Mentioned:
The Homestead Challenge Facebook Community
My favorite cast iron- Smithey (affiliate link)
Alexapure review
Thieves recipe
Lavender body oil
Evergreen simmer pot recipe
EWG’s list of the Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen
Leave Feedback on the Show or Request a Topic

Ep 5: Homestead Confessions: Expensive Kitchen Gadgets I Regret Buying (Don’t waste your money!)

Welcome to the first episode of Homestead Confessions, where I bare it all about the mistakes I've made on my homesteading journey so you can avoid them. Today, we're diving into the world of homestead shopping – a battle between consumerism and frugality.
Got those holiday gift cards burning a hole in your pocket? Before you splurge, listen up! This episode is your guide to responsible homestead shopping.
These three kitchen gadgets are taking up space and staring me down with guilt. Learn from my missteps, and let's talk about avoiding buyer's remorse.
Homework: 
If the shopping bug bites, create a wishlist. Whether it's on Amazon or a good old-fashioned piece of paper, ensure every purchase aligns with your 2024 homesteading goals.
Remember, it's not about saying no to great products; it's about saying yes to the right ones. Stay tuned for more Homestead Confessions, and may your homesteading journey be filled with wise choices.
Links Mentioned:
The Homestead Challenge Facebook Community
Realistic Kitchen Fridge Organization Tips

Ep 4: Crafting your Homestead Goals for 2024 Without the Overwhelm

Make Your Homestead Goals HAPPEN in 2024!
In this episode, we ditch resolutions and jump into action. No more setting vague goals; it's time to make your homesteading dreams a reality in 2024.
Crafting a plan that sticks is the key. Spend less time planning, and more time doing. By setting actionable plans, we can avoid constantly thinking about what needs to be done, and JUST DO IT. Let's get realistic and make a plan that works for you.
Discover the power of a word of the year, a 3-year vision, and a focused 1-year goal. My goal planner, based on core homesteading values, simplifies the process.
Reminder: Regularly assess progress, adjusting the plan as needed. Flexibility is key to homesteading success.
 
Homework:
Your homework is to fill out the planner. If you're feeling brave, share your goals in the private Facebook community. Let's support each other on this homesteading journey.
Links:
Free Homestead Goal Planner
Free Raised Garden Bed Plans
The Homestead Challenge Facebook Community

Ep. 3 2 Herbal Things You Can Make this Week that are Not Scary

Is herbalism part of your New Year's Resolutions this Year?
In this episode:
Learn about incorporating herbalism into daily routines as a resolution in ways that are easy (and not scary!)
Discover the easiest herbs to get started with, proving that popular choices can indeed be effective.
The New Year marks a fresh start, and what better way to embrace natural, sustainable living than by diving into the world of herbalism? In this episode, we're demystifying the process by introducing you to two easy and effective herbal DIYs.
Homework: Pick one herb and think about how you can seamlessly incorporate it into your life this year, making herbalism an achievable part of your routine.
What else do you want to know about herbs? How can I help you get started with this resolution? Feel free to email me at brittany@thehomesteadchallenge.com or DM me on Instagram! 
 
Resources Mentioned:
Chamomile Bath Salts Recipe
Lavender Lemon Balm Body Oil Recipe
Recommended Herbalism Books
Wildcrafted Vs. Organic Herbs: Which Should You Choose?
My favorite place to buy herbs online: Starwest Botanicals (affiliate link)

Ep 2. 3 Ways to Homestead in the School Pick Up Line

Are you looking to further your homesteading journey on the go?
In this episode:
This quick and actionable episode gives three tips on how we can use our time on the go to further our homestead goals! Whether you are waiting in the school pick-up line, for grocery pick-up, or on a commute, let's make use of our time! Instead of scrolling, let's learn and DO! 
Let's make the most of our time and make these homestead dreams a reality!
 
Homework: Load up your phone with podcasts and books so are prepared next time you are looking to homestead on the go!
 
RESOURCES
Homestead Podcasts to Follow
Kindle Books to Download
Meal Planner Template
Instagram

Ep 1. 5 Things I Don’t Do as a Modern Homesteader

What homesteading things do you ACTUALLY want to do?
In this episode:
We will hone in on the homesteading things that we actually want to do, and let go of everything that doesn't align with our goals. We cannot do it all, and let's be honest, we don't even want to! Let's make more time for the homestead things we love, and ditch the rest.
2024 is going to be a major year for us to accomplish goals, learn the things we have wanted to learn, and find systems that make homesteading work for us! I am not a standard homesteader, and you don't have to be either!
Homework: Write out what homesteading things you really want to do and tally up how much time it actually takes. Now check your phone time and see how many hours you spend a day on your phone. OPE! Maybe this will give you some hope or maybe it will tell you that you might want to let something go.
 
Resources Mentioned:
The Homestead Challenge
Homestead Goal Planner
Instagram

The Homestead Challenge Podcast Trailer

Do you feel like you never have time to cook from scratch the way you want to? Tried diving into the homesteading lifestyle only to end up feeling burnt out? Maybe you're not even sure where to start.
Are you ready to navigate the world of homesteading in a way that suits your modern life, using your talents and interests (not just what the internet tells you you need to do)?
In this podcast, you will find modern and practical solutions for your suburban homestead.
If you're itching to kick off your homesteading journey on your terms and bid farewell to overwhelm and guilt—you're in the right spot.
I'm here to dish out quick and straightforward homesteading tips and home management systems, all geared towards intentional living and finding contentment.
We will talk about cooking, cleaning, gardening, preserving, and everything in between. If I don’t have a solution, I will call in an expert so we can learn together exactly what we need to know, and ditch the rest.
Hey friend. I’m Brittany. Crunchy mom and wannabe homesteader. I've been down the road of trying to learn all the homesteady things… I took all the courses, bought every Instagram bundle of information… bought a canner, a grain mill, a dehydrator, and more… and then I hit the burnout wall.
Attempting to master every internet-suggested skill all at once led to a lot of wasted time and, let's be honest, quite a bit of wasted money.
I was left with a ton of home canned goods I didn’t actually use. Felt guilty about not baking all of my bread, when I actually don’t even LOVE baking. I grew things in the garden that I would NEVER eat.
But guess what? It doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing ordeal. I've found a way to live out homesteading principles in my own modern style, letting go of some things and crafting a plan that sticks. And now, I'm here to guide you to do the same.
If you're ready to homestead in a way that meshes with your busy life— Join me and let's make your homesteading goals a reality!
Grab that sourdough starter from the back of your fridge, it’s time to rise.
Welcome to The Homestead Challenge Podcast.
 
Where to find me!
The Homestead Challenge Website
Instagram
Facebook Community