Our Homestead is Just the Beginning

There are so many components to running a homestead. None of which I would consider necessary alone, but together, they all play a role in achieving the ultimate goal: To provide the best, nutrient-dense food and medicine for our family, that can fully sustain and nourish us year-round, while teaching responsibility and building character.

To me, this boils down to one basic principle. We want our family to be happy and healthy. Isn’t that what everyone wants for their loved ones?

Living a happy and healthy life through homesteading is a lifestyle choice. Our entire lives evolve around the farm through daily milkings and farm chores. It is a big commitment, but one that is rewarding and so very worth it!

The answer to where to start homesteading is both elaborate and simple. To start, you simply start. You start with what you have, where you are, and what you know.

It is very easy to want to “do all the things.” Start small and be patient. I have to remind myself this and yet, I still don’t listen – we dove all in, right away. I’m still working on the patient part.

Our homesteading lifestyle involves many different components that are all knit together to reach our goal.

We use organic practices to provide the best food and environment for our family.

Our farm provides fruits and vegetables for us through our gardens.

We raise pigs to have an organic, nutrient-dense source of pork and lard.

We raise poultry for organic meat and eggs.

We raise our cattle organically to provide us with a good source of beef and dairy. The dairy nourishes us with milk, cream, butter, ice cream, cheese, yogurt….

Homesteading on this scale isn’t for everyone. It is back-breaking, hard work – a job that comes with poop on your shoes and straw in your hair. And if you think farmhouse décor is the latest and greatest trend, try having sticky fly tape hanging from the ceiling, mouse traps in every corner, and a scrap bucket for the pigs on the kitchen floor. That is the REAL farmhouse décor.

Homesteading with livestock requires going outside to do chores in all kinds of weather as it is a job that never ends. The kitchen never sleeps. And we are up early before the sun and in bed long after it’s down.

But the work is worth it, as it satisfies the soul.

And at the end of the day, we have good, nutritious food in our belly and a genuine smile on our face.

But you don’t have to have a farm or even a large plot of land to be able to provide your family with good health and happiness.

For us, reaching this goal doesn’t end with our homestead – that is only the beginning. We encompass a happy and healthy life through other means as well. As we enter a new year, I encourage you to take a look at the list below to see what areas you could improve upon. Just start with one or two so you don’t get overwhelmed.

1. Do something daily that brings you JOY.
2. Drink more water. It helps hydrate your body, balances your appetite, and aids in detoxing.
3. Stop buying shredded cheese. It is covered in wood pulp and natamycin – an anti-mold chemical.
4. Throw away all products in your home containing “fragrance.”
5. Add in more protein and healthy fats to your diet.
6. Take magnesium supplements. I love Smidge brand Morning and Evening Magnesium products as it contains multiple forms of magnesium. Most people are magnesium deficient and it is needed for Vitamin D synthesis and conversion from Storage to Active Vitamin D – yes, there are two different kinds.
7. Get rid of Tylenol. It reduces glutathione, is the leading cause of liver failure, and can prolong illness.
8. Unplug the WiFi router at night. Don’t sleep with your cellphone next to your bed. Avoid all close contact with EMFs, power lines, cell towers, etc. – they cause the outer layer of cells to become weakened, making you more susceptible to disease.
9. Skip the fluoride. Fluoride is a neurotoxin. Avoid it at the dentist, in your toothpaste, and in your water.
10. Soak in more sun EVERY day – its’s the best source of Vitamin D. And don’t slather on sunscreen. Most mainstream sunscreen causes cancer. If you need one, choose a natural option.
11. Eat probiotic foods regularly. They support the immune system, promote gut health, and more.
12. Find a holistic or homeopathic doctor.
13. Learn to say NO. Help people when you can, but don’t violate your own boundaries to do it.
14. READ INGREDIENT LABELS. Both what you put into your body and what you put on it.
15. Start a garden. Learn how to grow your own food and become more self-sufficient.
16. Reduce consumption of toxic vegetable and seed oils. They generate large amounts of free radicals, are deodorized, and are already rancid when they hit the store shelves. Use animal fats instead.
17. Buy organic.
18. Switch to an aluminum-free deodorant and safer cosmetics. My favorite deodorant is from Earthley Wellness.
19. Start a new hobby. We are all capable of learning new things.
20. Cut out food dyes. Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 are contaminated with carcinogens. Food dyes also negatively affect your child’s behavior.
21. Eat more organ meat. Beef liver is nature’s multi-vitamin.
22. Walk outside barefoot. Grounding yourself can reduce anxiety and support your immune system.
23. Get rid of Miralax. It has potentially serious side effects, including neurological issues. It also covers up the underlying issue. Check into magnesium and heal the gut.
24. Eliminate or reduce microwave use. It destroys the nutrition in your food and emits radiation.
25. Go to bed when you are tired. Your body needs rest. Sleep is an essential function. The dishes will be there tomorrow. Your health matters.
26. Avoid sulfates and parabens.
27. Find something that you love premade and learn to make it yourself. Bread is a great example! Homemade usually tastes better and is better for you.
28. Stop judging others. Be kind.
29. Get to know your local farmer. Support and learn from them.
30. Learn how to use essential oils safely and responsibly.
31. Drink filtered water. Know what is in your water. View your local water pollutants in the EWG Tap Water Database online. We love using our Imperial Berkey for a gravity-fed water filtration system.
32. Shop local as much as possible. Small business owners do a little happy dance with each sale.
33. Eliminate plastic – water bottles, food containers, etc. You don’t want harmful chemicals leeching into your food and beverages.
34. Buy loose-leaf tea. Most tea bags are bleached and are held together with glue. Plus, loose-leaf tea is more cost-effective. I love Farmhouse Teas – they are a small, family business providing the best organic teas and coffee substitutes.
35. Start cooking from scratch. Know what you are consuming.
36. Quit watching mainstream media news outlets. They hide the TRUTH and promote fear.
37. Learn to harvest wild herbs and plants. Dandelions are a good place to start as the whole plant is edible. They are good for your liver and are high in vitamins and minerals.
38. Read more books.
39. Get rid of nonstick pans – chemicals leech into your food. Use Lodge Brand cast iron or stainless steel instead.
40. Think positively.

Your health and happiness is your responsibility. You are worthy and deserve nothing but the best. Well wishes from Hay Creek Homestead as you enter this new year.