This is it — your first proper sourdough loaf! CJ takes you step-by-step through mixing, folding, shaping, proofing, and baking a real, edible loaf of sourdough bread (yes, even if you’re still getting to know your starter). No fluff, no perfectionism — just solid advice from someone who’s made plenty of bricks before nailing the crusty beauty. Let’s bake!

📸 Show me your loaf! Tag @MojoHomestead on Instagram or TikTok — I wanna see that crust crack! 💌 Still need the free starter tracker? Get it at 👉 https://www.ditchthestore.com/sourdoughstarter

🎧 Next episode: Timing the Ferment – Folds, Proofing, Baking → The nerdy stuff (made simple!) that makes good bread great.

Plain, strong, wholemeal, rye, spelt… choosing the right flour can feel like a trip through a dusty jungle aisle at the health food store.

In this episode, CJ breaks down what works best for sourdough, what each flour does to your dough, and how to make the most of what you’ve already got in the pantry. Whether you’re baking for health, flavour, or just what’s on hand — this one will help you pick the flour that’s right for your loaf.

📸 Share your starter and flour picks — tag me @MojoHomestead 🎁 Still need the 2-Week Starter Tracker? → Download it free at Sourdough Starter Cheat Sheet

In this super practical episode of Ditch the Store, CJ takes you step-by-step through creating your very own sourdough starter from scratch.

You’ll learn exactly what to do, how to troubleshoot the weird smells and goo, and how to use different flours to suit what’s in your pantry. Plus — grab your free 2-week starter tracker to keep yourself (and your new floury friend) on track!

You don’t need a bread-making diploma or a fancy kit — just flour, water, and this episode. CJ walks you through the how, why, and what-the-heck-is-that-smell of building a bubbling, living starter. Includes tips on naming your jar-baby and a free printable to keep your sourdough journey on track.

Sourdough Starter Cheat Sheet

🎧 Episode 114 – The Sourdough Comeback: Why It’s Worth Your Time

In this episode, I’m kicking off a brand new sourdough series — croaky voice and all! After a rough run with the flu (and a lovely little bonus round of pleurisy), I’m easing back into the swing of things by diving deep into why sourdough is a perfect fit for the homesteader’s kitchen.

You’ll hear about:

• The real history of sourdough (we’re talking ancient Egypt to gold rush miners)

• Why proper sourdough bread might not upset your gut like store-bought bread does

• How sourdough connects you to your food, your family, and your farm

• The magic of fermentation explained in a way even teenagers can get around

• And yes — how I somehow manage to keep my sourdough starter alive (his name’s Harry)

If you’re gluten sensitive, curious about ditching commercial yeast, or just want to make bread that costs 50 cents a loaf, this one’s for you.

Oh — and we’re on baby watch with Molly the cow. Don’t miss the update at the end!

🎁 Live near Canberra? I’m giving away starter from Harry (my 2-year-old mother). Send me a DM @MojoHomestead if you want a piece of the magic.

👇 Drop your “N” name ideas (or other letters) for Molly’s calf in the comments or message me!

In this episode, we’re diving into practical and proven ways to preserve eggs at home — and extend their shelf life for months!
Learn the traditional method of water glassing, how to freeze eggs properly, and explore other long-term storage options like mineral oil coating, dehydrating, and pickling.

I’ll also be answering the most frequently asked questions, including how to safely store eggs, what types of eggs you can preserve, and how to tell if an egg has gone bad.

Perfect for backyard chicken keepers, homesteaders, or anyone wanting to become a little more self-reliant in the kitchen.

Tune in and discover how easy it is to keep your eggs fresh all year round!

Ditch the Store Podcast

If you thought chickens were just clucky egg machines, think again! In this episode, CJ dives into the weird and wonderful world of unusual chicken breeds — from fluffy Silkies and curly Frizzles to the jet-black Ayam Cemani and her own beardy Faverolle roosters.

You'll learn:

• Which quirky breeds might suit your homestead

• What to expect when raising them

• Why these “just for fun” chooks might actually have more to offer than you'd think!

Whether you’re looking for colourful eggs, friendly personalities or just want something a bit different in your coop — this one’s for you.

Got questions about chicken coops? You’re not alone — and you’re in the right place.
In this episode, CJ tackles the most common questions she hears from new and seasoned chook-keepers alike. Whether you’ve already got hens or are still in planning mode, you’ll get clear, no-fluff answers to the coop conundrums we all face.

We cover:

• How much space your chickens actually need

• Whether you can keep hens in a suburban backyard

• How to stop your coop from smelling

• If you really need a rooster

• The best coop floor options

• Predator-proofing musts

• And whether chickens need to free-range every day

It’s like a cuppa with your chicken-savvy mate — plus a few lessons learned the hard way at Mojo Homestead.

In this solo episode, CJ dives into why chickens are the ultimate starter livestock for anyone wanting to break up with the supermarket and take back control of their food supply. From skyrocketing egg prices to the simplicity of daily care, chickens are a no-brainer for beginners—whether you're on acreage or in suburbia.

CJ shares her own story of hatching their first chicks (spoiler: she totally messed it up) and how that single decision triggered a full-blown homesteading lifestyle. She covers the real costs of supermarket eggs, why backyard eggs are a nutritional powerhouse, and how keeping chickens often leads to gardening, bees, goats, and even meat production.

You'll also hear:

• Why you don’t need a Pinterest-worthy coop

• What dual-purpose breeds to look for (eggs + meat!)

• How to handle chicken care in just 5–10 minutes a day

• And how chickens can spark a whole new way of living

So if you’re ready to test the homesteading waters without diving headfirst into cows or goats, this episode will show you exactly why chickens are the best place to start.

💬 “If you’ve got chickens, you’re basically a homesteader. Just own it.”

🎙️ Welcome to the very first episode of Ditch the Store (formerly Not the Farmer’s Wife)!

We’re rebranding, not because the old name wasn’t great (shout-out to my son who named it!), but because we’ve outgrown it. This podcast has become more than just me—my handy helper is here, the farm has grown, and so has our mission.

In this episode, we unpack:🛒 Why we’re not anti-supermarket—but definitely pro-self-sufficiency
🥚 Why “Ditch the Store” better reflects our frugal, make-it-yourself, grow-it-yourself lifestyle
🧼 How we’re helping you ditch supermarket products one book, episode, and DIY hack at a time
🏡 Why supporting small businesses (including yours!) matters more than ever
💸 And how cost of living is pushing more families to take control of their food, products, and household spending

✨ Expect the same cheeky banter, practical homestead advice, and no-BS approach to modern self-reliance—just with a new name and an even clearer purpose.

PLUS: Find out what’s coming next in our book series, and how we’re helping you break up with the supermarket one area of your home at a time.

📚 First up: Ditch the Store: From Brooder to Plate – The Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Chickens for Meat
Coming soon: Eggs, dairy goats, cleaning without chemicals, soap making, and more!

🎧 Subscribe now and join us on a real, raw, and ridiculous ride toward self-sufficiency and sanity.

Because life is too short for store-bought eggs. 🐔

#DitchTheStore #HomesteadingPodcast #FrugalLiving #SelfSufficiency #SmallFarmLife #Chickens #MojoHomestead

🐓 Egg Troubles Solved – Why Your Hens Aren’t Laying and How to Fix It

In this episode, CJ breaks down the most common egg-laying problems faced by chicken keepers. Whether your hens are laying soft-shelled eggs, no eggs, or weird wrinkly "paper bag" eggs, you'll learn why it’s happening and how to fix it.

🔍 What's Covered:

• Why your chickens aren’t laying and how to encourage them

• How to fix soft shells and wrinkled eggs

• When to consider replacing older hens

• How to stop egg-eating hens

• Understanding the role of diet, stress, and environment

💡 Practical, no-nonsense advice for chicken keepers of all levels!

👉 Grab the Ditch the Store Guide to Keeping Chickens for Meat on Amazon!
🌟 Follow and leave a review — it helps more chicken keepers find us!

#ChickenKeeping #EggProblems #Homesteading #SelfSufficiency