Heart of the Homestead Family

In this episode, Sarah and Heidi chat about one of the most common questions homesteaders face — what’s the best way to preserve your harvest?

From Heidi’s new favourite (freeze drying!) to their tried-and-true love for water bath canning, they share practical tips and personal experiences about how they store homegrown food for year-round use. 

Whether you’re stocking up from your garden or the farmers' market, this episode will inspire you to think ahead for preserving season — and make the most of your harvest, big or small.

👉 Got questions about canning or food storage? Sarah and Heidi would love to hear from you!

In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the basics of getting started with homesteading — even if you don’t have a ton of land (or any at all!). Whether you’re living in an apartment, a small home, or planning to buy your first piece of property, Sara and Heidi share real-life tips for building self-sufficiency one step at a time.

We talk about everything from goal-setting, planning your space, sourcing food locally, borrowing tools, and learning essential skills before you need them. Homesteading isn’t about acreage — it’s about mindset and making the most of what you’ve got!

Check out the podcast episode about starting a garden HERE

For more details about Bringing Animals to Your Homestead, check out this blog post HERE

If you need help, encouragement or just want to chat, send Sarah and Heidi a message on social media @heart_of_the_homestead_family

In this episode, Sarah and Heidi share some surprising truths — including a fun confession from Heidi! Despite all the hard work she puts into growing and creating homestead goodness, she often doesn’t eat much of it. Why? She’s a super taster!

Tune in as they chat about what it means to be a super taster, why some foods can be overwhelming, and how this little-known fact might help explain “picky eaters” in your own home — especially for kids or even yourself.

✨ Thanks for joining us! Make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and until next time — enjoy filling your hearts and your jars!

Welcome to another mini moment with Sarah and Heidi!

In this cozy chat, we’re talking about the idea of “rabbit holes” — not the kind a bunny digs, but the ones we all fall into when curiosity takes over. Whether it starts with the taste of a farm-fresh egg or questions about food, skincare, or homesteading life, once you start learning, it can be hard to stop!

We share how exploring these topics can be both exciting and overwhelming, and why it’s okay to pause, take a break, and return when you’re ready. Choose your rabbit holes wisely — and enjoy the journey.

Thanks for listening, and until next time, keep filling your hearts and your jars!

Spring is here — and the homestead hustle is in full swing! In this episode, we’re giving you an honest behind-the-scenes update on what the last six weeks have looked like on our farms: the good, the bad, and the muddy.

We chat about:

Wrapping up maple syrup season (and the sweet ups & downs)

Seed starting successes and greenhouse fails

Baby animals arriving — and the bittersweet moments of farm life

Kitchen experiments from homemade pasta to DIY shaving cream

Spring pruning, propagating, and preparing for the busy growing season

Homestead classes, events, and a peek into our upcoming plans! You can check out all the classes HERE

Plus, a little heads-up: ticks are already out and about — so don’t skip those tick checks!

Thanks for joining us for this catch-up! As the season gets busier, we’ll be slowing down the podcast a bit but adding more videos on YouTube so you can follow along with us in real time. Stay tuned for more details!

From lettuce and kale to Swiss chard and spinach, leafy greens are some of the easiest—and most rewarding—plants to grow in your garden. In this episode, Sarah and Heidi dig into the world of greens: how to grow them, when to plant them, what to do when they bolt, and how to make them last all season long. 🥗

Whether you're stuffing kale into smoothies or harvesting Swiss chard for the freezer, this episode is full of practical tips to get more greens on your plate—and fewer on your grocery list. Bonus: Baby James makes a surprise cameo! 👶

📍 For more info, visit: heartofthehomesteadfamily.ca

In this episode, we dive into the many foods and household items we no longer buy from the grocery store—because we're growing, raising, or making them ourselves. From homegrown vegetables and backyard chickens to homemade jam, bone broth, maple syrup, and dairy products, we're sharing what our homesteads provide and how this journey has evolved over the years.

This lifestyle didn’t happen overnight—it’s been a long, intentional journey toward self-sufficiency. Come hear how we’ve changed our grocery lists one season at a time. 📝🌱🐄🍓

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In this episode, we dive into the world of onions—an essential ingredient in every homestead kitchen. We explore different varieties, from classic yellow and red onions to cipollini, shallots, and the ever-versatile green onions.  We also share techniques for preserving onions by dehydrating, freeze-drying, and making onion powder. Plus, discover how to use onions in dips, soups, and everyday recipes without the hassle of chopping fresh each time.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a kitchen enthusiast, this episode will help you make the most of your onion harvest all year long! 🌱🧅

Join us as we dive into the world of dairy! We both raise Jersey cows, known for their rich, creamy milk, and today, we're sharing our experiences with raw milk, the history of pasteurization, and why we love our Jerseys. We'll also discuss A2 milk, the benefits of whole dairy, and the many delicious things we make from our milk—like butter, yogurt, and homemade ice cream!

Recipes:

🎧 Listen now and get inspired to bring fresh dairy into your kitchen!

Homemade broth is an easy kitchen staple to can make! With a little time and extra ingredients you can have batches of healthy broth waiting to be used in your next recipe.

Listen to today's episode as Heidi and Sarah talk about how they make (and store) their homemade broth!

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Thanks for listening!