Get Ready for Winter Storms + Simple Hacks for Wellness + Homesteading Friendships

IN TODAY'S EDITION

1. Homestead Tip 🌱

2. Poll Results From Last Sunday 📊

3. All Things Homestead: Getting Ready for Winter Power Outages and Storms 🌪️

4. Personal Development: Homesteading Friendships - Finding Emotional Support 🤗

5. Today's Top Picks 🛍️

6. Let’s Today’s Must-Read Blog Post: Guide to Natural Health and Wellness Hacks 📰

7. Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Find Edible and Medicinal Plants Right in Your Backyard!

Ever come across a wild plant or berry and wonder, Can I eat this? What’s it good for? The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods has all the answers, covering the edible and healing plants that could be growing around your home.

Inside, you’ll find:

• Tips on identifying each plant with clear, color photos.

• Maps to help you find what’s local to your area.

• Poisonous look-alikes and how to spot the differences.

• How to use plants for natural remedies and tasty recipes!

If you want to start exploring and enjoying nature’s hidden treasures, grab The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods today—supplies are limited, so don’t miss out!

POLL RESULTS FROM LAST SUNDAY

For a December holiday, do you believe in making all gifts yourself or is it acceptable to buy gifts that align with homesteading values?

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ I make all gifts to keep the holiday sustainable.

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ I buy only from local, sustainable sources.

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ I do a mix of handmade and thoughtful, sustainable gifts.

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 I’m flexible; the intention matters more than the method.

via @beehiiv polls

Feel free to participate in fun polls in our next newsletters! 😉

Also, follow us on Facebook and Pinterest for daily homesteading inspiration and updates.

ALL THINGS HOMESTEAD

Getting Ready for Winter Power Outages and Storms 🌪️

Winter’s coming, and with it, the chance of power outages and some very cold days. Keeping your homestead warm, well-lit, and stocked during a winter storm doesn’t have to be hard. Here’s a breakdown of the best ways to stay prepared, so you can focus on keeping your family cozy and safe through the season.

1. Backup Heating to Keep Warm When the Power Goes Out

When the power’s out, staying warm is top priority. Here are a few ways to keep your place cozy even without electricity.

• Wood Stoves & Pellet Stoves: If you’ve got a wood stove, make sure to have a good pile of dry wood ready for the season. Stack it where it’ll stay dry, like in a shed, and keep a few pieces inside near the door for easy access during a storm. Pellet stoves are also handy, but you’ll need to stock up on enough pellets before winter hits.

• Battery-Powered Heaters & Thermal Blankets: These can be lifesavers in a pinch, but battery-powered heaters usually don’t last too long, so keep some extra batteries handy. Thermal blankets are a simple but effective way to keep warm—place them in your main room to keep everyone cozy. These reflect body heat and work surprisingly well to keep the chill out.

• Fireplaces: If you’ve got a traditional fireplace, make sure it’s ready for action. Check the chimney for creosote buildup and clear any blockages in the flue. It’s also smart to get a hearth blanket to block drafts when you’re not using the fireplace.

2. Emergency Lighting That Lasts

Lighting is essential during power outages, so having the right options ready can make all the difference.

• Battery-Operated LED Lanterns: LED lanterns are super handy and have great battery life. Look for lanterns that offer a lot of light (measured in lumens), and keep extra batteries on hand—rechargeable ones work well. A solar charger can also come in handy to keep those batteries powered up.

• Solar & Crank Lanterns: Solar lanterns are great because you don’t have to rely on batteries—just leave them in a sunny spot during the day to charge up. Crank lanterns are another option, and they don’t need any power at all. Just a little cranking gets them going, making them perfect for emergencies.

• Candles & Oil Lamps: Candles add warmth and a little glow, but make sure to use long-burning, unscented ones made for power outages. Oil lamps can also be good backups, but remember to keep them away from drafts and pets. They need ventilation too, so crack a window just a little.

• Headlamps & Flashlights: Headlamps give you hands-free light, which is helpful if you’re cooking or doing any work in the dark. Store flashlights in places that are easy to find, and choose models with rechargeable batteries so you don’t have to worry about running out of power.

3. Water Storage and Purification for Emergencies

Water is essential, and in a power outage, your regular supply might not be reliable. Here’s how to make sure you’re covered.

• Water Storage Tips: Store your water in food-grade containers like 5-gallon jugs or stackable water bricks. Plan for about 1 gallon of water per person, per day. Keep enough water stored for at least 5 to 7 days.

• Rain Barrel & Well Pump Backup: If you use a rain barrel, insulate it to keep water from freezing. For those on a well, a manual hand pump or solar-powered pump can be helpful if the power’s out.

• Purification Methods: Purifying water is a must if you’re relying on stored or natural sources. Boil water when you can, or use purification tablets if boiling isn’t an option. Gravity-fed water filters are also great—they’re simple, don’t require power, and work well over time.

4. Food Storage and Cooking Without Power

Staying fed during an outage is key to keeping energy up and spirits high. Here’s how to keep food accessible and make sure you can cook even without power.

• Food Storage Tips: Focus on foods that don’t need refrigeration. Stock up on canned veggies, dried beans, pasta, and rice. High-calorie snacks like nuts, protein bars, and dehydrated fruits are also smart choices. If you have a cool basement or garage, it can be a good place to store food.

• Alternative Cooking Methods: A propane or butane camp stove can be a safe choice for indoor cooking with proper ventilation. Keep extra fuel around just in case. If you’re interested in a rocket stove, they’re easy to use with small branches and kindling, which can be easier to gather and store than larger wood logs.

• Ready-to-Eat Meals: Having a stash of shelf-stable meals, like dehydrated foods that just need hot water, can be helpful. Keep them in an easy-to-reach place, and rotate them each year to keep things fresh.

5. Staying Informed & Connected

Getting weather updates and staying in touch with family can be a challenge when the power’s down. Here’s how to stay informed.

• Battery-Powered or Crank Radios: NOAA weather radios are excellent for getting weather updates during storms. Pick one with a crank option, so you’re covered if batteries run out.

• Power Banks & Chargers: High-capacity power banks are great to have charged up and ready. Solar chargers or hand-crank chargers are good for extra backup if you can get them.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Homesteading Friendships: Finding Emotional Support 🤗

Homesteading comes with some unique highs and lows. One season you might be harvesting enough to feed a village, and the next, a frost or pest wipes out your garden. Or maybe you’ve lost a chicken or had to figure out a barn repair on your own.

Having someone who gets what that’s like, who understands the blood, sweat, and tears that go into homesteading, can make all the difference.

Challenges to Building Homesteading Friendships

Finding and keeping connections in the homesteading world isn’t always easy, especially with the way homesteaders live. Here are some of the common roadblocks many of us face:

• Living Far Apart: A lot of homesteads are in rural areas, often pretty spread out. It’s not like you can walk next door to borrow some sugar or chat about chicken feed.

• Busy Schedules: Homesteading isn’t a 9-to-5 job; it’s a lifestyle. With all the chores, projects, and planning, it’s hard to make time to socialize, even when you want to.

• Building Trust in Small Communities: Small, close-knit communities—whether local or online—can feel like everyone knows each other’s business. It can take time to build trust and be vulnerable with people, especially when friendships can feel close but require authenticity and consistency to grow.

Practical Ways to Build Homesteading Friendships

While it’s challenging, building a support system is doable and well worth it. Here are some realistic steps for finding and nurturing these connections:

• Join or Start Local Groups: Many homesteaders connect through local groups. Facebook can help you find nearby folks. If you can’t find a group, why not start one? Hosting something small, like a potluck, farm tour, or skill-sharing meetup, can attract others looking for community.

• Find Online Support: Sometimes, connecting online is the most practical way to find your people. Online homesteading groups can offer a wealth of knowledge, camaraderie, and support from people all over the place.

• Create Traditions or Rituals: Simple rituals and routines help to strengthen bonds over time. For example, you could start a yearly harvest celebration, a monthly “show and tell” where everyone shares a recent homesteading project, or a seasonal meetup to exchange ideas.

Simple Tips to Keep Friendships Strong

• Build Trust with Small Actions: Trust isn’t built overnight; it’s made up of small, consistent actions. Remember details about their homestead, offer to help with a project, show up for events they care about, or check in regularly.

• Ask for Help When You Need It: Many of us feel hesitant to ask for help, but doing so actually strengthens friendships. Letting others help when you’re struggling makes them feel trusted, and it opens the door for you to help them in return.

• Stay Connected Consistently: Life gets busy, but staying in touch doesn’t have to take a lot of time. Send a quick message, share a photo of your garden, or check in with a simple “How’s it going?” These small acts of connection keep friendships alive and let people know they’re on your mind.

THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER

What did one snowflake say to the other?

"You're snow special!"

TODAY'S TOP PICKS

TODAY'S MUST-READ BLOG POST

🌿 Hey, Feeling Off Lately? Let’s Fix That—Naturally! 🌟

Okay, picture this: it’s mid-afternoon, and you’re in a total slump. Your energy’s flat, your stomach’s acting up, and don’t even get me started on the random cravings. Sound familiar? Yeah, been there too.

But here’s the good news—there’s a way to tackle all of that without popping pills or chugging yet another cup of coffee. In Lexi’s latest blog post, Your Daily Guide to Natural Health and Wellness Hacks, you’ll find super simple, natural remedies that actually work. We’re talking morning sunlight to shake off the groggies, fennel tea to calm that bloat, or even a breathing trick to ease anxiety in seconds.

Seriously, these are the kinds of tips that make you go, “Wait, why haven’t I been doing this all along?”

If you’re ready to ditch the blah and feel more you again, click below to dive in. Who knows, you might just discover your new favorite life hack!

LET’S KEEP IT REEL!

I've put together some fantastic farm videos that are sure to make you laugh. Take a look and enjoy the fun!

1. If you’re a millennial who loves gardening, this video is totally for you—get ready to be called out:

@gardenwithjonny

#gardening #plants #comedy

2. I’m totally this kind of neighbor! 😂

@houseplantparadise_

It’s me ! Hi 👋🏻 I’m the neighbor 😅😂 📸: @greenaddict.cie on IG #weirdneighbor #plantobsessed #planttherapy #plantlover

3. All I can say about the video below is: SAME!!! 😂

@bosworthsgardencentre

A day out at the garden centre? Sounds perfect, Gary! #garybarlow #gardencentre #capcut #garden #gardening #fyp #meme #dayout

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