Ditch The Store

Ever gotten a headache while cleaning? Or worse—passed out from your shower spray? In this episode, CJ and the Handy Helper break down the dirty secrets of store-bought cleaners: the hidden toxins, the health risks, and why they’re especially dangerous for kids and pets. You’ll learn what chemicals to avoid, how they impact your hormones and lungs, and how to start ditching the store—one bottle at a time.

✅ Real facts, personal stories, and a few laughs
😷 Health risks (yes, formaldehyde is in your kitchen spray!)
🐾 Why pets and kids are most at risk
💸 Why DIY cleaners are cheaper, safer, and just plain smarter

🧼 Ready to clean out your cleaning cupboard? Tune in now.

🛒 Shop CJ’s Aussie-made hoodies + homestead gear: www.notthefarmerswife.com
🎁 Free printables + DIY recipes: www.mojohomestead.net

#DitchTheStore #NaturalCleaning #ToxicFreeHome #HomesteadLife

This week’s a special one — we’re jumping off the sourdough and diving into something a little feathery and a whole lot of fun 🐔

In this one-off episode, I sit down with my partner to chat about why I genuinely believe every suburban backyard should have chickens. We’re unpacking the benefits (eggs, compost, pest control, and kids learning responsibility), busting a few chicken-keeping myths, and tackling the common pushbacks around noise, smell and council drama.

We’re also celebrating the launch of my brand new program — Confident Chicken Keeper — which is open for registration now!

Whether you're curious, cautious, or already clucking, this is a fun, real-talk chat about how backyard chickens could be the start of something much bigger.

🎙️ Episode Highlights:

• The cheeky truth about suburban chicken keeping

• Our funniest (and messiest) chicken moments

• How chickens kickstart a homesteading lifestyle

• Tips for being a “good chicken neighbour”

• What makes someone chicken-ready

🧡 Life’s too short to eat supermarket eggs.

You’ve made the loaf, the crackers, the pancakes — now how do you keep them fresh without daily baking marathons? In this practical episode of Ditch the Store, CJ shares her top tips for freezing, storing and preserving sourdough and other baked goods so nothing goes to waste.

Learn how to freeze loaves, slice like a pro, and keep that crust crisp even after defrosting. From school lunches to weekend prep, we’ve got you sorted.

✅ How to freeze and defrost loaves properly

✅ Best way to store crackers, pancakes & more

✅ Avoiding soggy crusts and dry middles

✅ What can (and can’t) be frozen

Sourdough Starter Cheat Sheet  👉 mojohomestead.net/sourdoughstarter

Amazon Beeswax Wraps - https://amzn.to/4nmMmpN

Got discard piling up? You’re not alone — and you’re not wasting it either. In this fun and practical episode of Ditch the Store, CJ explains what sourdough discard actually is, why it’s still useful, and how to turn it into delicious everyday snacks.

From crunchy crackers to fluffy crumpets and savoury pancakes, we’re going beyond the loaf to make the most of your hard work and flour stash. Plus — you’ll learn how to store discard safely, stretch your starter, and get creative with no-waste baking.

✅ What is discard and why you shouldn’t toss it

✅ Easy cracker & crumpet recipes using starter discard

✅ Tips for storage, flavour, and gut-friendly baking

✅ Why discard isn’t ideal for bread, but perfect for snacks

📥 Get Sourdough Starter Cheat Sheet at: mojohomestead.net/sourdoughstarter

📸 Tag @MojoHomestead to share your creations!

What actually is fermentation — and why does it matter so much in sourdough? In this week’s episode of Ditch the Store, CJ takes you beyond the mixing bowl and into the wild world of microbes, gas bubbles, gluten strength and flavour building.

Learn how timing, temperature and technique affect the rise, texture and taste of your bread — plus how fermentation makes sourdough easier to digest (yes, even if you’re gluten sensitive!). We’ll also break down how to fit sourdough around your real life — whether you’re juggling kids, cows or a full-time job.

✅ What “bulk ferment” actually means
✅ Why your dough rises... then flattens
✅ What cold proofing is and when to use it
✅ How fermentation helps break down gluten
✅ When to shape, proof and bake (without second-guessing)

📥 Grab your free Sourdough Starter Cheat Sheet at mojohomestead.net/sourdoughstarter
📸 Tag @MojoHomestead with your fermenting dough — we want to see those bubbles!

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!