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Continue reading →: DIY Lip Balm: A Simple, Self-Sufficient Step Toward Natural LivingIn our ongoing journey to become more self-sufficient and replace commercial products with homemade alternatives, we took on a fun and rewarding project: making our own lip balm. What made this experience even more special was having Eva help with the process. She loves learning new skills, especially when it…
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Continue reading →: Sourdough Discard Graham Crackers!I don’t know about the rest of you, but February was a LONG, hard month! Between the flu, a case of strep throat, food poisoning, constipation (sorry for the TMI), and just random days of not feeling well and bad weather, our family was happy to see February go! I’m…
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Continue reading →: New Books – Mullein and Purple Dead NettleJust in time as Purple Dead Nettle is starting to pop up around the yard, the next two books in the Grow, Gather, Heal series have been released. I’m very excited about these books. Packed full of lots of information covering the history, traditional and modern day uses, scientific studies,…
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Continue reading →: Propagating Elderberries: Turning Pruned Canes into Future BushesAs we expand our homestead’s medicinal garden, elderberries are next on our propagation list. With two 2-year-old plants—one still recovering from deer damage and another thriving at over 6 feet tall—we’re turning an ordinary pruning task into an opportunity to grow 20 new plants. Today, we’re sharing our hands-on process…
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Continue reading →: Propagating Blueberries: Our First Attempt with Hardwood CuttingsAs winter settles in and our blueberry bushes enter dormancy, now is the perfect time to propagate new plants. With 15 established blueberry bushes (ages 3–4 years) in our garden, we’re aiming to double our stock this year. Our mission? To ensure a steady supply of fresh berries for our…
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Continue reading →: Spent Grain CrackersWhen I have free time, which let’s be honest isn’t all that often, I like to try new recipes. Not just for dinner but especially for healthy snacks. We are desperately and continually trying to veer away from processed foods and lean into a simpler, easier lifestyle. Now I know…
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Continue reading →: Homemade Laundry DetergentAs the new year begins, many of us are reexamining our budgets and where we can save money. But not only are we interested in saving money, we are looking for healthier alternatives to the things we currently use. We are 6ish years in on our canning, preserving, and dehydrating…
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Continue reading →: Harvesting Blueberry Leaves: A Hidden Gem for Health and WellnessAs the seasons change and the crisp fall air settles in, our blueberry plants are putting on a spectacular show. The leaves are turning a beautiful crimson red, signaling that it’s time to harvest them. While most people think of blueberries for their delicious fruit, the leaves of the plant…
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Continue reading →: Empowering Our Health: Making Our Own Herbal Capsules with the Capsule IT SystemThis year, we added an exciting new tool to our home apothecary: the Capsule IT system from Herb Affair. Rebecca suffers from the occasional really bad headaches, and we’ve found that feverfew and willow bark are incredibly helpful in keeping them at bay. However, she is not always a fan…
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Continue reading →: DIY Horehound Cough Drops: A Natural Remedy for Cold and Flu SeasonAs the leaves begin to turn and there’s a chill in the air, we’re reminded that cold and flu season is just around the corner. This year, we’re taking a proactive approach to our family’s health by preparing our own herbal remedies, including homemade horehound cough drops. Thanks to a…
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RJ Homestead
We are Rebecca, and John, and this is our little spot on the internet. Our goal is to post about what we have going on around our little homestead and share the things we’ve learned over the years. We’re glad you are here!
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