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

Ep 15. Systemizing Your Suburban Homestead with Chelsi Jo

Before you add anything else to your homestead task list, you MUST get your home management systems in order. Chelsi Jo of the Systemize Your Life podcast is here to help us do just that.
She walks through her systems as a crunchy mama and talks about where you can start to organize your own life and say goodbye to the overwhelm through a flexible, automated system suited to your own homestead (yes, even if your schedule is chaotic!). 
 
These systems have made me feel like I gained time in my days (and space in my brain!) and I hope they work for you too! Check out where to find Chelsi in the links below.
 
Links Mentioned:
Listen to the Systemize Your Life Podcast
Check out the Systemize Your Life Home Management System
Get Your Free Homesteading Roadmap
Links for all of my favorite products
Instagram
The Homestead Challenge Facebook Community
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Ep 14. The Cost of Inaction: What is Killing your Homestead Productivity and How to Stop It

We often appear busy, but are we truly productive? Let’s discuss the dilemma of wanting to learn and implement new homesteading techniques but often failing to take action.
In this episode, I will discuss:The Perfectionist Trap: Understanding how the fear of imperfection can lead to inaction.
The Learning-Implementing Gap: The cycle of endless learning without application.
The Cost of Inaction: The immediate and long-term costs of procrastination, particularly how it affects our mental health and sanity.
Overcoming Procrastination with DWPP: Learn the four-step method to effectively tackle procrastination in homesteading tasks.
Homework:
For those caught in the perfectionist trap: Start small and give yourself grace. Try it anyway!
For the constant learners: Take a day off each week from podcasts, YouTube, audiobooks, etc. Use this time for implementation.
Links Mentioned:
Ger Your Free Homesteading Roadmap
Links for all of my favorite products
Instagram
The Homestead Challenge Facebook Community
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Ep 13. 5 Canning Mistakes I Made So You Don’t Have To

Canning is still a thing! We can and preserve food in order to make healthier choices, save a little cash, and have FUN! So why in the world did I find myself crying over canning during my first canning season?
I made a few mistakes that definitely made things harder on myself. Canning really is NOT hard! And it is not scary.
Listen to this episode for my canning confessionals and learn from my mistakes so your first-time canning can be stress-free!
HOMEWORK- If you want to can this year, make a plan for getting all your gear. Do you need to add it to the budget? If you are an experienced canner, share your favorite canning convenience meals in the Facebook Group!
 
Links Mentioned:
All of the Canning Tips
Favorite Books on Home Food Preservation
Links for all of my favorite products
Instagram
The Homestead Challenge Facebook Community
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Ep 12. Is Your Kitchen a Hot Mess? Use Your Personal Organization Style to Finally Get a System that Works

I want to help you conquer the clutter and create a kitchen that works for YOU (not the way Pinterest tells you it should look).
In this episode, I uncover:
Why tackling your kitchen now is key before the busy spring/summer season hits.
Forget one-size-fits-all solutions: Learn how to design a system that reflects your preferences and lifestyle based on the Clutterbug Organizing Styles.
Actionable tips for each style: Learn hacks, storage solutions, and strategies to transform your kitchen.
Let's get your kitchen under control and create a space you love that FUNCTIONS! Be sure to head over and Take the Clutterbug Quiz!
P.S. Share this episode with a friend who could use some kitchen organization magic!
 
​Links for all of my favorite products​
​Instagram​
​The Homestead Challenge Facebook Community​
​Leave Feedback on the Show or Request a Topic

Ep. 11 Transitioning to Natural Skincare with Faithful Family Farmer

Today, we have a special guest – Emily from Faithful Family Farmer, a powerhouse who's successfully navigating the realms of homesteading, motherhood, and running a thriving skincare business. 
Curious about ozonated skincare? Emily breaks it down for us, explaining what it is and how it stands out amongst other natural skincare.
Moving through the process of transitioning from conventional skincare to embracing natural alternatives can be scary! But it is so worth it (or at least we think so!).
Emily wears multiple hats – not only is she the brains behind a successful skincare line, but she also manages a full-fledged homestead. We get a glimpse into her homestead life, complete with animals, gardens, and more.
A big thank you to Emily for joining us on this episode! 
LINKS MENTIONED
Shop Faithful Family Farmer Skincare
Follow Emily on Instagram
Follow Brittany on Instagram
The Homestead Challenge Facebook Community
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Ep 10: Favorite Homestead Bulk Buys on Amazon

Now, before you start questioning my homesteader credentials, let me share my Azure Standard story and talk about why I still shop on Amazon sometimes. Don't hate me for shopping on Amazon – I've got some valuable insights to share!
We ALL know we should be shopping locally first. But sometimes, ya girl just needs a good deal or I need something FAST!
Have you ever got that random last-minute itch to learn to do something and want to do it NOW? Sadly, Amazon can be an okay option to lean into those urges.
Listen in for my top 8 bulk buys!
HOMEWORK- Tell me what I am missing. Any good deals that I should know about? I would love to share them with everyone!
Links Mentioned:
Links for all of my favorite products
Instagram
The Homestead Challenge Facebook Community
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Ep 9: 10 Habits to Incorporate Homesteading into your Everyday Life

Today, I'm listing 10 habits to seamlessly integrate homesteading into your everyday life. Instead of thinking of homesteading as all of these "BIG" things to learn like canning, sourdough, or even chickens, let's start with a few things that we can incorporate immediately that will lead to success in our homesteads. There is huge value in creating home habits and systemizing your life before adding more tasks.
Listen in for the 10 Habits for Everyday Homesteading that I incorporate to create a strong foundation for my modern homestead.
Homework:
Get your home systems in place before diving into additional homesteading activities.
Links Mentioned:
Printable Compost Dos and Don’ts List
Composting Tumbler Tips
Winter Composting Tips
How do you know when your compost is ready?
Instagram
The Homestead Challenge Facebook Community
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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
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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
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