Blog

How to Feed Your Family on Half the Income (What Growing Our Own Food Taught Us)

In 2019, the math on daycare and my commute stopped adding up, and we had to figure out how to feed our family on half the income. Here’s what that year taught me — about our finances, our grocery bill, and the garden that ended up solving more than I expected.

How to Meal Plan (and Prep Ahead) for Busy Seasons

Meal planning doesn’t have to take over your week, and prepping ahead doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s my simple 30-minute weekly planning method, plus how I stock the freezer months ahead of our busiest season so dinner is never the thing I have to think about.

How to Make Taco Seasoning at Home (Without the Fillers)

Ever read the back of a taco seasoning packet? Mine was full of fillers, maltodextrin, and MSG — barely any actual spice. Here’s the simple homemade version I switched to instead, using spices you probably already have in your cabinet.

Bring Food Security Home: How Growing Your Own Food Protects Your Family

Food security isn’t just a headline — it’s something you can build in your own backyard, balcony, or apartment. Here’s how growing, storing, and cooking your own food adds up to real, reliable food security for your family, plus my go-to easy dinner that uses it all.

Getting Ready for Your Spring Garden: A Fall Planning Checklist

It’s not too early to think about your spring garden — in fact, fall is the smartest time to do it. Here’s the full checklist to plan through now so you’re ready instead of scrambling once the ground thaws.

What Is a Polyculture? How Growing (and Raising) Things Together Builds a Self-Sustaining Homestead

What is a polyculture, and is it worth the hype in homesteading circles? Here’s how we’re using nitrogen-fixing plants, free-ranging poultry, and a whole lot of patience to build an orchard that (eventually) takes care of itself.

Why Gardening Is Easier Than You Think (And How to Get Started Today)
Why Gardening Is Easier Than You Think (And How to Get Started Today)

I used to think gardening was for people with endless time, perfect soil, and Instagram-worthy raised beds. Sound familiar?
Years ago, I was drowning in farm debt, chasing kids around the yard, and choosing between oranges or apples at the grocery store. The idea of adding another thing to my plate felt impossible.
But here’s what I learned: gardening isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about starting small and letting it grow—just like faith.

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Small Garden, Big Security: Growing and Preserving Food All Year Long
Small Garden, Big Security: Growing and Preserving Food All Year Long

Last spring, I stood in my kitchen holding a jar of home-canned green beans, remembering the tiny seeds I’d planted months before. That moment hit me—this wasn’t just about gardening anymore. This was about true food security.

If you’re like me, grocery trips can feel overwhelming when every dollar counts. But what if I told you that a small garden plot could feed your family well beyond harvest season?

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June Gardening in Zone 5b: Simple Steps to Summer Success
June Gardening in Zone 5b: Simple Steps to Summer Success

June feels like that sweet exhale after holding your breath all spring, doesn’t it? The frost risk is behind us, the soil is warm, and everything is ready to grow. But looking at your garden, you might wonder where to even start.
Take a breath. June doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Think of it like tending a good friendship—consistent, gentle care beats frantic catch-up every time.

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Finding Your Summer Rhythm: A Farm Wife’s Breathing Space
Finding Your Summer Rhythm: A Farm Wife’s Breathing Space

Picture this: Fields bursting with potential. Kids are home from school. Harvest preparations brewing. Preserving season is knocking at the door. Your to-do list isn’t just long—it’s practically a novella.

But here’s the truth I’ve learned between tomato plantings and early morning chores: Survival isn’t about doing more. It’s about creating a rhythm that breathes with you.

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5 Simple Steps to Start a New Garden Area (Without Losing Your Mind)
5 Simple Steps to Start a New Garden Area (Without Losing Your Mind)

I see you eyeing that overgrown corner of your property, imagining rows of beautiful vegetables or a cutting garden that would make your grandmother proud. But between the kids, the animals, and everything else on your plate, where do you even start?

Today, I’m sharing how to create a new garden space without it becoming another stressful project that never gets finished. Because you deserve to see something beautiful grow from your hands—without burning yourself out in the process.

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10-Minute Garden Magic: Growing Abundance When You’re Short on Time
10-Minute Garden Magic: Growing Abundance When You’re Short on Time

If you’re anything like me, you’ve got a mile-long to-do list, responsibilities pulling you in twelve different directions, and somehow “spend hours in the garden” isn’t making it to the top of your priorities. But that doesn’t mean you can’t grow beautiful, productive spaces that feed your family and your soul.

I’ll let you in on a little secret: you don’t need hours every day to have a thriving garden. In fact, I’ve found that focused 10-minute bursts can work wonders when you know exactly what to prioritize.

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As I’ve grown as an entrepreneur, mom, gardener, and livestock owner, I struggled to find a planner that met my needs and kept me organized. So, I MADE MY OWN. You can look at it on the link below and buy it on Amazon.
Don’t want the whole calendar part? I got you! I pulled the gardening and animal care pages out and put them in a book all their own. 
 
Wanting a community to lean into? Join the FREE Thriving Through Farm Life: Wife’s Support Network! In our community, we embrace the challenges of farm life and provide a supportive space for wives facing the complexities of managing a family farm. Whether you’re navigating financial pressures, day-to-day operations, or seeking ways to create a thriving home, we’re here for you. Explore garden and preservation tips for cultivating your oasis, share insights on animal care, and discover practical family budgeting strategies. Together, let’s grow through challenges, flourish authentically, and sow the seeds for a resilient and thriving farm life. Join us on this journey of resilience and abundance! 
                                                                                                                    
Starting a garden doesn’t have to be hard! I gathered all the tips I’ve learned over my gardening seasons and made them into a simple course to jump-start your gardening life. 

Grab the Gardening Basics Course

                
Everyone wants a healthier home with less illness. But how and where do you start? Jump into my free membership, where I share the tips I’ve learned since my journey started in 2016. Tips range from nutrition, herbs, detoxing, natural cleaning, and using essential oils with kids.  
                
I’ve had 3 very different pregnancies. After the first traumatic birth, I learned how to care for my body naturally preventing common pregnancy and birth problems before they arise. This quick course will give you the tools you need to have a natural healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery. My first pregnancy I had a normal Western medicine pregnancy. My second? I flipped to completely natural, no medicine. Bonus: Preventing Preeclampsia Without Aspirin & Healing from Birth Trauma

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