Heart of the Homestead Family

Is it better to boil water starting with hot or cold? 🤔 What seems like the simplest kitchen task turned into one of the biggest debates of all time here on Heart of the Homestead!

In this episode, we share our own hot vs. cold water habits, dive into the “why” behind each method, and laugh over how something so small can stir up such strong opinions.

From canning and cooking to showers, drinks, and even seasonal preferences, this chat covers it all. Tune in, join the conversation, and let us know: Are you Team Hot or Team Cold? Jump in on the conversation on our social media @heart_of_the_homestead_family

Plus — don’t forget to mark your calendars for our Simmer & Share community event on November 8th! Email us at [email protected] to register!

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Just because summer planting is behind us doesn’t mean the gardening season is over! In this episode of Heart of the Homestead, we’re diving into simple, practical ways to keep fresh food growing well into the colder months. From low tunnels and row covers to caterpillar tunnels and unheated hoop houses, we share how we extend the harvest of greens, root crops, and more—all without fancy equipment.

And for those who are local to Norfolk, Ontario - don’t miss our special event: we’re hosting a Simmer & Share event on November 8th—a cozy time to make broth together, share homestead tips, and connect with you, our listeners. Email [email protected] to register!

Can you really get away from the homestead? In this episode of Heart of the Homestead, we’re sharing what it looks like to step away—even in the middle of garden and harvest season. From prepping long lists for family and staff, to planning around animals, produce, and community commitments, we talk honestly about the work it takes to make time off possible.

🎧 Listen in and be encouraged that yes—it is possible to step away from your homestead.

And for those local to Norfolk, Ontario, join us for our "Simmer and Share" event on November 8! Email [email protected] to register (location will be provided once registered). We look forward to meeting you!

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It’s been a while since our last homestead update — and for good reason! September has us knee-deep in harvest season, freezers filling, shelves stacking, and to-do lists that never seem to end. 🌿🥕

In this episode of Heart of the Homestead, Sarah & Heidi share:

Homesteading isn’t about doing it all — it’s about finding your sane point. Join us for an honest look at the messy, beautiful chaos of this season.

Are you local to Norfolk, ON? Then you should join us for our "simmer and share" event happening on November 8! Register by emailing [email protected] with your name. Location will be provided upon registration. We look forward to seeing all of you!

Don't forget to follow us on social media @heart_of_the_homestead_family or on YouTube!

It’s squash season! 🎃🍂 In this episode of The Heart of Homestead Family, we dive into all things winter squash—from heirloom varieties you won’t find in the grocery store, to simple (and safe!) ways to cook and preserve them for the months ahead.

Whether you’re growing them yourself or bringing them home from the market, squash is a homestead staple worth celebrating. Tune in for practical tips, funny kitchen confessions, and a few family-favorite recipes that make the most of this hearty harvest.

Check out Sarah's Squash Pie recipe!

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And follow us Facebook and Instagram for details about the Simmer & Share - @heart_of_the_homestead_family

Cabbage may take its sweet time in the garden, but when those heads finally make it into the kitchen… the possibilities are endless! 🥬

In this episode of The Heart of Homestead Family, we’re diving into the many ways to use and preserve cabbage once harvest time arrives. From the crisp crunch of fresh coleslaw to the tang of homemade sauerkraut, you’ll get practical, tried-and-true ideas for turning this humble vegetable into family favorites.

If cabbage has ever left you wondering “what else can I do with this?”, this episode will give you plenty of inspiration to bring it from the field to the table with ease.

Don't forget to leave a review. You also can watch this episode (and more!) on YouTube!

Peppers are in abundance—and we’re here for it! Whether it’s sweet bell peppers or fiery hot jalapeños, this episode is all about how to enjoy, preserve, and make the most of your pepper harvest.

If you’ve ever wondered how to keep peppers on your table year-round, this episode is packed with practical tips and flavorful inspiration.

👩‍🌾 Whether you grow a garden or pick up fresh peppers at the market, you’ll walk away with new ideas for saving time, reducing waste, and bringing more color and spice to your meals.

✨ Don’t forget to mark your calendar! On November 8th at 10AM, we’re hosting our Simmer & Share event—broth-making, homesteading tips, and a chance to connect with our community. More details coming soon!

And, you can watch this episode (and more!) on our YouTube Channel

🍑 Fresh peaches only come once a year—and when they do, you don’t want to waste a single one!

In this episode, we’re talking all things peaches: freezing, canning, dehydrating, juicing, and even making peach salsa and fruit leather.

Whether you grow your own or grab them from a local orchard, you’ll get plenty of ideas for preserving this sweet summer fruit so you can enjoy it all year long.

👉 Plus, we share details about an exciting Simmer & Share event coming November 8th—mark your calendar!

Check out this episode (and more!) on our YouTube Channel.

It’s harvest season on the homestead, and the tomatoes are rolling in faster than we can keep up! In this episode, we dive deep into everything tomatoes — from heirloom varieties to Romas, indeterminate vs. determinate plants, and how to deal with tomato hornworms.

We also share our favorite ways to use up a bumper crop from freezing whole tomatoes (the easiest method!) to finding creative recipes like tomato jam, ketchup, and even freeze-dried tomato powder!

Whether you grow a garden full of tomatoes or pick them up at a local farm, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you enjoy tomato season without overwhelm.

👉 Don’t miss our upcoming Simmer & Share Event on November 8th, 2025! We’ll be sharing homestead tips, preserving know-how, and connecting with you, our listeners.

Check out Sarah's Butter Chicken Recipe

And the recipe she uses for Shakshuka

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Raspberries are one of the easiest (and tastiest!) fruits to harvest—and there are so many ways to enjoy them 🍓✨

In this episode, Sarah and Heidi share how they freeze, preserve, and use raspberries in everything from jams and dressings to quick snacks and even trail treats. You’ll also learn about everbearing varieties, wild black raspberries, and a few tricks for making the most of a seedy harvest.

Plus—we’ve got an exciting event coming up on November 8th: a Simmer & Share all about broth-making, homesteading tips, and connecting with you, our listeners! Stay tuned for details.

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