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Light and fluffy buttermilk chocolate chip pancakes will be a new family favorite for breakfast or anytime! Jump to recipe Like my Buttermilk Mixed Berry Waffles recipe, buttermilk pancakes are something I've made for my daughters since they were toddlers. When they were young, I would make the pancakes “silver dollar-sized” and freeze any leftovers. It was a great way for this busy and exhausted college mom to have a fun, healthy breakfast ready to go. Now that the girls are older, I make these light and fluffy pancakes larger, but they're still fun and readily available! The use of budget-friendly pantry staples makes having homemade pancakes on hand no problem! Plus, a lot of the ingredients can be used in other breakfast favorites like Banana Walnut Muffins and Peach Butter Waffles . And don’t forget our favorite doughnut recipes like Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts and Honey Lemon Cake Doughnuts ! If you have young ones that could really use the extra protein, baked goods like these are great way to add it in. Just add a scoop (or about 3 tablespoons) of your favorite protein powder to the dry ingredients listed in the directions down below. Here’s what you’ll need to make these Buttermilk Chocolate Chip Pancakes Flour I used organic, unbleached all-purpose flour for this recipe, but you could certainly use a gluten-free option. To ensure accurate flour measurements, use a spoon to add the flour to your measuring cup and level it off with a flat edge, like the back of a butterknife. Buttermilk Do not skimp out on this ingredient! Buttermilk has been found to activate baking soda which produces the gas to make dough or batter rise. If you use regular milk or even the DIY trick of adding vinegar or lemon juice to regular milk, your final product will likely not be as thick and fluffy. Eggs, Sugar, and Salt All completely necessary to flavor and bind our dry ingredients. Vanilla Extract I love using my homemade vanilla extract in baking recipes. If using a store-bought option, try to choose one that is of the highest quality. Making your own vanilla extract is super easy! You’ll just need one cup of vodka or spiced rum that's at least 80 proof and 6 vanilla beans. Add your alcohol preference to an eight-ounce jar then add in the vanilla beans. Secure a lid on your jar and store in a cool, dark cabinet for at least 8 weeks. Give the jar a good shake about once a week. The longer, the better in my opinion. You can check out my other homemade extract recipes here . Baking Powder and Baking Soda Yep, I use both baking powder and baking soda for our pancakes. We’re going for extra fluffy pancakes here! Chocolate Chips My girls always request to have mini chocolate chips in their pancakes and waffles. Normally I wouldn’t offer up chocolate for breakfast but because this is such a small amount and the other ingredients are pretty clean, I don’t mind giving them this sweet treat for breakfast every so often. You can absolutely leave them out or add in your favorite diced fruits. Make this with me on YouTube! Making homemade Buttermilk Chocolate Chip Pancakes is easy! The short version of making almost any pancake, waffle, or baked good is: combine wet ingredients in one bowl, combine dry ingredients in another bowl, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir well. It may seem unnecessary to dirty up so many bowls, but there's actually some pretty cool science that happens when we separate the ingredients like this. When we use leavening agents, also known as aeration agents, like baking powder or baking soda, we want to make sure they are being dispersed evenly. This helps to ensure an even rise and consistency in flavor. So, let’s get to it! First, combine eggs, vanilla extract, buttermilk, and oil in a large bowl. In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Combine dry ingredients to wet ingredients by about a ½ cupful at a time. Stir well to combine. The batter should be thick but still a pourable consistency. If your batter is too runny, add a tablespoon of flour and mix. Allow batter to rest covered at room temperature for approximately 10-15 minutes. This step really is the secret to getting fluffy pancakes! During this rest period, the flour is able to fully absorb the liquid which helps to provide a smooth texture and a better rise. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add one tablespoon of oil. When skillet is hot, pour batter by ¼ cupful onto skillet. After about 30-40 seconds, sprinkle each pancake with two teaspoons of mini chocolate chips. Flip pancakes when bubbles form and edges begin to harden. Cook until the second side is golden brown. Ingredients 4 cups all-purpose flour 3 teaspoons sugar 1 Tablespoon baking powder 2 teaspoons baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 4 large eggs, lightly beaten 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 ½ cups buttermilk ½ cup + 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil 1 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips Directions In a large bowl, combine eggs, vanilla extract, buttermilk, and oil. In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Combine dry ingredients to wet ingredients by ½ cupful at a time. Stir well to combine. The batter should be thick but still a pourable consistency. If your batter is too runny, add a tablespoon of flour and mix. Allow batter to rest covered at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add one tablespoon of oil. When skillet is hot, pour batter by ¼ cupful onto skillet. Sprinkle each pancake with two teaspoons of mini chocolate chips. Flip pancakes when bubbles form and edges begin to harden. Cook until the second side is golden brown. How to Freeze Buttermilk Chocolate Chip Pancakes: Option 1 : Allow pancakes to cool completely. Layer pancakes onto wax paper and wrap up the ends of the paper. Store in a gallon sized freezer bag in the freezer for up to 2 months. Option 2 : Allow pancakes to cool completely. Place pancakes in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Flash freeze for at least 30 minutes. Remove and place into freezer safe bag or container. To reheat, warm pancakes in the microwave in a single layer for 2 -2 ½ minutes. Did you know that we have a newsletter? It features some of our favorite recipes and free printables that are only available to our subscribers! And don’t worry, we hate spam mail and value your time. You’ll receive an initial thank you email, and our newsletter is delivered monthly. You can help our small family business by sharing us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Click here  to sign up for our newsletter today!

There's no need for takeout when homemade pizza dough is so easy to make. Just a few pantry staples are all you need to have a delicious start to homemade pizza that will make you forget all about the local pizza joint! Jump to Recipe As a teenager, I worked at a pizza franchise answering phones, tossing pizza dough in the air, and making a gazillion pizzas on busy Saturday nights. I had an absolute blast! Some of my best memories were made with the friends I met there and have remained in contact with for years now. The restaurant was located near a government military base, and I met people from all over the world. While the franchise’s way of making pizza was pretty good, nothing beats a homemade version, in my opinion. Pizza dough is really made up of only 6 basic ingredients, plus a little garlic powder simply because we love garlic so much! This homemade pizza dough creates a soft and chewy crust that comes together quickly in just one bowl. If you have little ones who enjoy helping out, making homemade pizza is the perfect time to let them help. My BBQ Chicken Pizza with homemade barbecue sauce is a family favorite! The ingredients needed for homemade pizza dough are: Active Dry Yeast You can find dry yeast at just about any supermarket. My local dollar stores even have it, though I’m not sure how great the quality of it is. I typically purchase Red Star’s Organic Active Yeast. I’m not an affiliate with them, I’ve just never had any issues with it. Active Dry Yeast is typically what I have on hand the most often and I don’t really mind the additional few minutes it takes to proof it. To proof active dry yeast, you simply just add it to warm water to activate it. The water should be at least 110 degrees but no more than 130 degrees. If the water is too hot it will kill the yeast. After a few minutes, you should start to see the yeast bloom. It should look a bit frothy in the water. If there are no changes to the yeast, then it has likely expired, and you’ll need to start a new batch. You can absolutely use Instant Dry Yeast and skip the proofing process! Granulated Sugar Sugar not only adds flavor to the dough but also helps to activate the yeast. All-Purpose Flour You can absolutely use gluten-free flour for this recipe; however, I used organic, unbleached, all-purpose flour. To ensure accurate flour measurements, use a spoon to add the flour to your measuring cup and level it off with a flat edge, like the back of a butterknife. Oil I absolutely love using my Cayenne and garlic-infused olive oil. I use it in just about everything I make. The use of it here is to flavor the dough and help keep it from sticking to the bowl. Salt Simple table salt is probably the most underestimated and most used ingredient in our kitchen. It adds so much flavor and helps to tighten and strengthen the gluten structure. Pizza is no fun at all if the toppings fall straight through the dough! Garlic Powder As I mentioned, we just love the taste of garlic. It adds such a warm flavor that pairs so well with the acidity of tomato sauce. To make this homemade pizza dough: I adore my KitchenAid Mixer and use it anytime we’re making pizza or my Honey Butter Yeast Rolls. However, you can certainly mix and knead this dough by hand if you’re looking for a good arm workout. To start, add yeast and sugar to mixing bowl. Slowly add in warm water. Allow mixture to rest for about 5 minutes. If the yeast is active the water should look frothy on top. Add salt and garlic powder to the yeast and water mixture. Turn mixer to low speed (I usually use the level 4 on my KitchenAid) and begin carefully adding flour. I stop at 2 ½ cups and check to see how it’s looking. If it still looks too wet, I add the additional ½ cup. Continue mixing and slowly drizzle in oil. Allow the dough to form a sticky ball. This typically only takes about 3-4 minutes. Remove the mixing bowl and cover with a warm, damp dish towel. Allow dough to rest and rise for about 10 minutes. Remove the dough from the mixing bowl and place on a lightly floured surface. Begin rolling out the dough into the desired shape. I have round pizza pans, so I aim for as circular as possible. I don’t always get there but no one seems to mind eating an egg-shaped pizza. Using a fork, lightly tap the dough several times all over. These tiny holes will help to prevent air pockets in the dough while it cooks. Place the dough on a pizza pan or pizza stone, then into a preheated 400-degree oven and bake for about 5-6 minutes. Remove the dough from the oven and begin adding your favorite sauce and toppings. Bake pizza for approximately 16-20 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese has melted. Ingredients 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar 1 cup warm water (105 degrees F) 2 ½ - 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 Tablespoons infused oil 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon garlic powder Directions Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment, combine yeast, sugar, and water. The mixture should begin to bubble and become frothy over a period of approximately 5-7 minutes. Add two cups of flour, salt, and garlic powder to the yeast mixture. Begin combining mixtures on a medium setting. Drizzle in oil while mixing. Continue adding flour until the dough becomes less wet and sticky but does not appear dry. Dough should begin forming a ball shape after approximately 3-5 minutes. Remove the mixing bowl from mixer and cover with a warm, damp kitchen towel. Allow dough to rise for approximately 10 minutes. Carefully remove the dough from the mixing bowl and place on a lightly floured surface. Begin rolling out the dough to form your desired shape. Carefully place dough onto a baking sheet or pizza pan lined with parchment paper. Using a fork, poke holes into the dough approximately 5-6 times. Bake the dough for approximately 5-6 minutes. Remove partially baked dough from the oven and top with your favorite sauce and toppings. Bake pizza for approximately 16-20 minutes or until dough is golden brown and cheese is melted. How to Freeze Homemade Pizza Dough This homemade pizza dough freezes great! If you'd like to prepare pizza dough to use later, simply follow the directions to form your dough ball. Lightly oil the dough ball with a neutral tasting oil like olive oil or avocado. Place the dough into a freezer-safe storage bag and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to use the frozen pizza dough, remove it from the freezer and allow to thaw in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 10-12 hours. Remove the thawed dough from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature before you begin rolling it out. What are your favorite pizza toppings? Let us know in the comments down below! Did you know that we have a newsletter? It features some of our favorite recipes and free printables that are only available to our subscribers! And don’t worry, we hate spam mail and value your time. You’ll receive an initial thank you email, and our newsletter is delivered monthly. You can help our small family business by sharing us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Click here to sign up for our newsletter today!

This one-pot wonder comes together in under 30 minutes and is a crowd pleaser! Serve it on toasted brioche buns to create a magical combination of smokey, savory, and sweet. Serve with my Homemade Fried Potato Chips and Homemade Nacho Sauce to ensure everyone will be asking for seconds! Jump to Recipe Y’all know as a mom that works outside of the home, I love a meal that can come together quickly and easily. This is especially true in the summertime when canning season is in high gear. This take on a childhood favorite comes together in just 30 minutes and uses budget friendly pantry staples to make a kid-approved meal that's as delicious as it is simple to make. Serve these tasty sandwiches with my Homemade Fried Potato Chips to ensure everyone will be asking for seconds! For more of our 30-minute meals check out our favorites: Baked Three Pepper Chicken Easy Beef & Broccoli Skillet Ground Beef & Ramen Korean Bowl Here’s a few things you’ll need to make these Smokey Sloppy Joes: Ground Beef I like to use a lean ground beef, but ground turkey or ground pork would also be good options. The Best Homemade BBQ Sauce We truly believe this really is the absolute best homemade BBQ sauce. However, if you don’t have a homemade version on hand, you can certainly use your favorite. In the past, we have enjoyed Sweet Baby Ray’s and Stubbs brands. Stone Ground Mustard This will add a delicious tang to the sauce. Worcestershire Sauce The “dub sauce” will add a savory, umami flavor that will add complexity. Celery, Garlic, Peppers, and Onions All of which will add flavor and texture. Ketchup For sweetness and that traditional tomato flavor. Beef Stock Another savory component that will add flavor and liquid for the sauce to simmer in. Spices Ground black pepper, salt, chili powder, and paprika are all totally necessary to increase the overall flavor profile. Hickory Liquid Smoke The not-so secret-ingredient that will add that smoky goodness to each and every bite. Ingredients Serves 4 1-pound lean ground beef 1 Tablespoon oil 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped 1 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped 1 stalk celery, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely minced 1 cup homemade beef stock 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 Tablespoon stone ground mustard 1 Tablespoon Ketchup 2 Tablespoons The Best Homemade BBQ Sauce 2 teaspoon Hickory Liquid Smoke 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper ½ teaspoon paprika ½ teaspoon chili powder Directions In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Add onion, pepper, and celery to skillet and sauté until vegetables are tender and lightly caramelized. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, approximately 1 minute. Slowly add ¼ cup beef stock and deglaze pan by scrapping up any bits stuck to the pan. Add remaining ingredients and stir well to combine. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for approximately 5-10 minutes or until sauce has thickened. Serve over brioche hamburger buns with your favorite sandwich toppings. Did you enjoy this Smokey Sloppy Joes recipe? Let us know in the comments below! Did you know that we have a newsletter? It features some of our favorite recipes and free printables that are only available to our subscribers! And don’t worry, we hate spam mail and value your time. You’ll receive an initial thank you email, and our newsletter is delivered monthly. You can help our small family business by sharing us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Click here to sign up for our newsletter today!

This homemade nacho cheese sauce is creamy, cheesy, and has just the right kick of spice! Jump to Recipe Have you looked at the ingredient list on store-bought jarred cheese dip recently? A popular brand name version has a whopping TWENTY-NINE ingredients. Most of which, I don’t know what they are or how to even begin to pronounce them. The best thing about this homemade cheesy goodness is there’s no unnecessary weird junk in it. This homemade nacho cheese sauce comes together in under 10 minutes and has just 6 simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand. It can be used as a dip for tortilla chips or veggies, as a delicious covering for homemade macaroni and cheese or baked potatoes, or as a homemade version of the condensed cheddar soup that comes in a can. The possibilities are endless! What You’ll Need: Butter - the real stuff Flour - all-purpose works Half & Half - don’t use low-fat milk Cheddar Cheese - Shredded straight off the block Jalapeno - Pureed or finely minced Salt - Just a pinch or two What to Pair with Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce? Homemade BBQ Meatballs – Dip these sweet and savory BBQ meatballs into the nacho cheese sauce for a delicious BBQ cheeseburger appetizer! Baked Ham and Cheese Bites – A family favorite on game day, dip these for an extra cheesy bite! Homemade Fried Potato Chips - Cover this crispy, crunchy snack with homemade nacho cheese sauce to create a perfect pairing! Smokey Sloppy Joes - Drizzle some cheese sauce on top for a magical combination of messy goodness! Comfy Cozy Slow Cooker Chili - Top off your grilled hotdogs or brats with chili and nacho cheese sauce! Homemade Pizza Dough - Create a homemade cheeseburger pizza that beats anything that can be delivered! Helpful Tips This recipe comes together in just a few short minutes, so have everything you need right at your fingertips. I highly recommend using an immersion blender with a whisk attachment. This will help to create a super creamy sauce without the arm workout! Keep whisking! If you’re stirring this sauce by hand - Do. Not. Stop. Whisking. When you’re done, go buy yourself a $20 immersion blender with a whisk attachment. You’ve earned it! Use real butter, salted, or unsalted. Do not skimp on this! Do not substitute the half and half for low-fat milk. This will result in an incredibly runny sauce. Don’t use cold half and half because it may curdle when poured into the saucepan. Use room temperature and pour the liquid in slowly. Homemade nacho cheese sauce is so easy to customize to your heat preference. The spice in this recipe is light enough for most kiddos to enjoy but feel free to amp up the spice if that’s your thing. For the creamiest texture, use freshly shredded cheese straight off the block. Do not overheat your saucepan. This can cause scorching. Unfortunately, this is not an approved recipe for home canning. Trust me, I checked, and I couldn’t find one. So, stick to enjoying it within a couple of days. It stores great in the fridge. To make a jalapeno puree, simply blend together one small jalapeno pepper with 2-3 tablespoons of water. If you like spicier cheese, add additional jalapeno or your favorite hot pepper. Or use a high-quality store-bought version like Louisianna Pepper Exchange Jalapeno Puree. My kids prefer the jalapeno puree rather than the minced fresh pepper but feel free to use your own discretion. For an incredible Taco Tuesday Night experience, drizzle homemade nacho cheese sauce on my Slow Cooker Chili Lime Carnitas and as a dip for my Baked Chicken Taquitos! Ingredients ½ stick butter (1/4 cup) 3 Tablespoons flour 1 1/3 cup Half & Half 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded 1 teaspoon jalapeno puree or 1 minced fresh jalapeno ½-1 teaspoon salt Directions Melt butter in a small saucepan over low-medium heat. Add flour and whisk well. Cook for approximately 2-3 minutes or until rue has changed to a lightly golden-brown color. Carefully, add the half and half slowly, just a little at a time while continuously whisking. Continue whisking and cooking the sauce for approximately 4-5 minutes or until sauce begins to thicken. Add the shredded cheese and continue whisking well until completely melted and incorporated into the sauce. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Recipe Variations For additional spice, add in extra jalapeno puree or use Pepper Jack cheese instead of cheddar. For an extra creamy cheese sauce, add an additional ½ cup of freshly shredded cheddar cheese. Reheating Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce Microwave in 30-second increments stirring well after each increment. Stovetop in a small saucepan over low heat stirring well until heated through. Freezing This cheese sauce does not freeze well and may become grainy during the reheating process. I do not recommend freezing. If you like delicious homemade recipes like this, click that heart button at the bottom of the page and let us know in the comments down below! Did you know that we have a newsletter? It features some of our favorite recipes and free printables that are only available to our subscribers! And don’t worry, we hate spam mail and value your time. You’ll receive an initial thank you email, and our newsletter is delivered monthly. You can help our small family business by sharing us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Click here to sign up for our newsletter today!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy. After looking at the list of ingredients and instructions, you may be thinking “I thought this was a slow-cooker recipe! I wanted something easy!” Trust the process, my friend, this recipe will not disappoint you! We enjoy meals that have multiple layers of flavors. When it comes to preparing those meals, I like to do as much of the preparation ahead of time as possible. This meal is perfect for when you're hosting dinner with friends and family because you can prepare it the day before and rest easy on the day you serve it (or clean your house, like I do!). It seems like there’s a new must-have something or another that pops up in my social media feed every day. It can be easy to forget the tried-and-true gadgets and appliances that sit in our cabinets. Whether you’re cooking for a large family or just one or two, slow cookers come in a variety of sizes and price points making them perfect for any household. They also use less energy than conventional ovens and are my not-so-secret weapon to keeping my kitchen from feeling like the surface of the sun during the summer. Not to mention, the slow cooker gets the job done when it comes to tenderizing meat and distributing flavor. I like to pair this with my White Cheddar Loaded Mashed Potatoes and Honey Butter Yeast Rolls, both of which you can also make ahead of time. Want to save this recipe for later? Pin it! Serves 8 Ingredients Patty Ingredients 2 pounds lean ground beef 1 large egg, lightly beaten 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons parsley 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon ground black pepper ½ tablespoon onion powder ½ tablespoon salt 2 teaspoons thyme 1 teaspoon ground mustard powder ½ to ¾ cup fine breadcrumbs Gravy Ingredients 4 tablespoons butter 2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 cups beef stock ¼ cup red cooking wine 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce 1 tablespoon parsley ½ teaspoon ground black pepper ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon onion powder ¼ teaspoon garlic powder 8 ounces white button mushrooms, sliced 1 medium onion, thinly sliced Water, if needed Directions Patties In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Using your hands to do this will ensure all ingredients are distributed throughout. If you’d like to measure for better uniformity, use a ¼ cup measuring cup to scoop meat mixture. Shape each ¼ cup of meat mixture into round patties, approximately ¾ inches thick. Using a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, brown patties for approximately 3-4 minutes on each side. You don't want to cook them completely - you just want the patties to have a firm crust on each side. This will help allow the patties keep their shape while they're in the slow cooker. Remove patties to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Gravy In the same pan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour to butter and begin stirring constantly to combine, to form a roux. Carefully add beef stock and stir vigorously until gravy is smooth and free of clumps. Add wine, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings. Stir gently to combine. Allow gravy to simmer for approximately 5-7 minutes or until thickened. Proceed to slow cooker directions or, if making ahead of time, place prepared patties and gravy in separate containers. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use. Slow-cooker To the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker, add onions, mushrooms, and beef patties. Pour gravy over the patties. Cook on LOW setting for approximately 6 hours or HIGH for approximately 4 hours. If at the end of cooking, the gravy is thicker than you care for, add 2 tablespoons of water at a time until you reach the desired consistency. Did you know that we have a newsletter? It features some of our favorite recipes and free printables that are only available to our subscribers! And don’t worry, we hate spam mail and value your time. You’ll receive an initial thank you email, and our newsletter is delivered monthly. You can help our small family business by sharing us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Click here to sign up for our newsletter today!

This one-pot dish is the ultimate comfort food. Tender orzo covered in a creamy parmesan sauce with sweet and smoky roasted bell peppers makes for an out-of-this-world side dish that will be devoured quickly! Jump to Recipe The weather is warming up quite quickly in southern Alabama and this is the time of year I become swamped with food preservation projects like Asian Plum Sauce, Peach Lemonade Concentrate, and The BEST Homemade BBQ Sauce. When I’m looking at multiple bushels of farm fresh produce, the last thing I want to do is stop what I’m doing to make a lavish meal. There are alternatives to ordering expensive, subpar take-out and that is making this quick and easy orzo dish! This Roasted Red Pepper and Parmesan Orzo dish comes together in about 15 minutes and is a delicious accompaniment to just about any entrée. Or, if you really want to save on time, add in some grilled chicken or shrimp to make this an all-in-one dinner with minimal effort. This dish can also be made up to 2 days in advance, making it the perfect addition to any summer potluck! For this Roasted Red Pepper and Parmesan Orzo recipe you will need: Orzo Also known as risoni, is a form of short-cut pasta shaped like a large grain of rice. Chicken Stock I make my own chicken stock because it’s just so easy and tastes so much better than anything found in a store, in my opinion. If you don’t have your own, look for a high-quality organic version at the grocery store. Garlic Freshly minced garlic adds a ton of flavor and complexity. Heavy Cream For that delicious, creamy consistency, you don’t want to skimp out on this ingredient. You can also add milk or omit it if you must, but the overall thickness and richness of the sauce may suffer. Seasonings Salt, pepper, onion powder, and basil are essential to balancing the sweetness by providing notes of savory. Parmesan Cheese Fresh parmesan cheese pairs perfectly with the heavy cream to enhance the tangy richness in the dish. I always recommend shredding the cheese yourself rather than purchasing pre-shredded. Freshly shredded melts better because it doesn’t have the additional preservatives that keep it from caking together. Italian Roasted Red Peppers We absolutely love our home-canned peppers but a high-quality storebought version will do just fine. Helpful Tips Although orzo has a similar size and shape as rice, it's not gluten-free. Brands like Delallo and Jovial offer gluten-free options. For this recipe, I used garden fresh basil that I dehydrated with my Excalibur Dehydrator. If you're using fresh basil, you’ll want to use 3 teaspoons for every teaspoon of dried. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Why you’ll love this Roasted Red Pepper and Parmesan Orzo Deliciously creamy, this dish is comfort food at its finest! This recipe is the perfect side dish paired with grilled steak or seared fish, or as an entrée with shredded chicken mixed in. If you’re like me and need quick and easy meals that everyone will enjoy, this dish fits the bill! Want more 30-minute Orzo dishes? Check out our favorites: Easy Orzo & Sausage Skillet Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Let’s Get Started! Serves: 4-6 Ingredients 1 ½ cups orzo 2 cups chicken stock 2/3 cup heavy cream 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon basil, dried ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1 cup Italian Roasted Red Peppers, drained and chopped 1 Tablespoon parsley, dried Directions To a medium skillet add chicken stock, orzo, garlic, onion powder, basil, salt, and pepper, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for approximately 4-6 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed, stirring constantly. Stir in heavy cream, parmesan, and roasted red peppers. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes or until the sauce begins to thicken. Top with parsley. Want to help a small family business in a big way? Click the heart at the bottom of this post and share this Roasted Red Pepper and Parmesan Orzo recipe with anyone who loves delicious homemade food! Did you know that we have a newsletter? It features some of our favorite recipes and free printables that are only available to our subscribers! And don’t worry, we hate spam mail and value your time. You’ll receive an initial thank you email, and our newsletter is delivered monthly. You can help our small family business by sharing us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Click here to sign up for our newsletter today!

Whether you have one child or several, homeschooling multiple subjects can be overwhelming. Even if you have been homeschooling for a while, it can be difficult to find something that finds the balance of fun and retention. One way we have enjoyed for several years is with Unit Studies. Unit Studies are simply a theme-based learning style. For example, if the theme is about weather, all the lessons for each subject would revolve around weather. For science, you could learn about clouds then form various clouds from cotton balls to create a picture, watch and track the weather for a few days, then visit your local news station. The possibilities are endless! What I personally enjoy most about Unit Studies is that they are completely customizable. My kids and I can choose the theme together, we can choose how long we want to focus on that theme, how in-depth we want to go, and how much money I want to invest in the theme. My kids really enjoy the hands-on learning and the field trips. When Unit Studies are used with multiple age groups, it allows each student to learn from the other. There is opportunity for discussion, creativity, and bonding. Not to mention it takes a lot of pressure off the educator! Being able to use one topic across multiple subjects for multiple ages can save you a lot of time, planning, and stress. While our oldest daughter was in the third grade, we used The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne. Typically, we would spend two weeks per book. This gave my daughter plenty of time to read the book and for us to dive into the subject. One of her favorite themes was Japan. She read The Night of The Ninjas and learned about the Samurai. For spelling and vocabulary, we used words from the book. We learned about origami and practiced making our own. She learned about Rabbit Island and then painted a rabbit cut out using paint and a marble. In just two short weeks we were able to learn so many things in so many ways. Of course, at the end of our study, we had to watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III! Our youngest daughter was only three years old during this time but I was able to include her into our learning. We read The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwarts, Ninja Bunny by Jennifer Gray Olson, and Ninja Baby by David Zeltser and Diane Goode. We focused on the letter N and the number 9. Of course, she joined us for all the fun art and science projects! Our girls are older now, but they still enjoy unit studies. Our oldest daughter, currently in eighth grade, prefers an online curriculum. Our youngest daughter, currently in fourth grade, prefers hands-on activities and workbooks. One way I bring us all back together is through Unit Studies. Women’s History seems to be the current favorite. Last week our lesson was based on Rosalind Franklin and DNA. They read a graphic novel about her life, learned about DNA and genetics, and then made a candy DNA model. So, while they each have their own curriculum, we are still able to use Unit Studies to help fill in any gaps while still keeping their interests. If you are interested in Unit Studies, I have two printable packs to help get you started. These packs are geared for Pre-K and Kindergarten; however, I will be adding more printable packs for other ages at a later date. In the meantime, check out our Pinterest boards for more inspiration! On the Farm I recommend reading The Little Blue Truck by Alice Shertle for younger children. If you would like to tie in a book for first-third graders, I recommend Down on The Funny Farm by P.E. King. If you have a middle schooler, I recommend Anna on The Farm by Mary Downing Hahn. The classic, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is often on the reading list for high schoolers. Download On the Farm packet here . In the Garden For Pre-K and Kindergarten, I recommend In My Garden by Charlotte Zolotow and Paddington Bear in the Garden by Michael Bond. For second-fourth graders, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a fan-favorite! And, for older students, I recommend The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan. Download In the Garden packet here . Did you know that we have a newsletter? It features some of our favorite recipes and free printables that are only available to our subscribers! And don’t worry, we hate spam mail and value your time. You’ll receive an initial thank you email, and our newsletter is delivered monthly. You can help our small family business by sharing us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Click here  to sign up for our newsletter today!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy . In my previous post, Ten Skills You Need to be a Homesteader, No Matter the Circumstance , I mentioned the need for repurposing and recycling. According to the United States Environmental Agency, plastics account for over 18% of municipal solid waste in landfills. That isn’t something I want to be part of! You can learn more about Municipal Solid Waste here . Years ago, when my babies were babies, I switched over to glass bottles for my cleaning products. I was tired of the cheap dollar store bottles breaking, leaking, or not spraying correctly. I wanted something I could refill, that would be easy to wash when needed and lasted as close to forever as possible. Thankfully, I found a beautiful set to do the trick! However, as I try to be more mindful of my carbon footprint and do a better job of protecting our planet, I found myself with a new problem - the cleaners I’ve been using for years don’t have the best ingredients and definitely aren’t helping the environment! To the internet I went and discovered Blueland Eco-Friendly Cleaners. Blueland found success in 2019 when they pitched their product on the television show, Shark Tank. Investor Kevin O’Leary agreed to their terms and the rest, as they say, is history. The company’s mission: To make it easy to be eco with innovative products in reusable packaging that are convenient, effective, and affordable . Blueland was kind enough to provide me with their Clean Essentials starter kit , which retails for about $40, in exchange for my honest review . The kit includes four Forever acrylic bottles, three dissolvable cleaning tablets (multi-surface cleaner, bathroom cleaner, and glass + mirror cleaner), and one foaming hand soap tablet in a glass bottle. They also included their Toilet Bowl Cleaner kit , which retails for $24 and includes 14 dissolvable tablets and a metal tin to store them in. Want to save this post for later? Pin it! What We Like Blueland products take up very little room, making them great for those with smaller spaces such as dorms, tiny homes, apartments, and RVs. Blueland’s ingredients are all on the EPA Safer Chemicals Ingredients List ( https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice ), and none of them are on the Environmental Working Group Restricted List ( https://www.ewg.org/ewgverified/standards.php ). Blueland cleaners are safe to use around children and pets because they're made without volatile organic compounds. Blueland products are shipped in a recyclable shipping box, sealed with paper-based tape, with compostable refill packaging, no single-use plastic, and the inks used are water-based. Orders are directly shipped from Blueland, with no middleman. Blueland offers free returns on orders up to 30 days after they have been shipped. The return process is pretty straightforward, simply email help@blueland.com with “Return Label for Order (add your order number)”. You have 60 days from the date you receive your shipping label to return your unused items in the same condition you received them, and you must have proof of payment in order to qualify for a refund. Blueland will send you an email if your return is accepted or rejected. Refunds are typically processed within 5-7 business days to the original form of payment. What We Don't Like Unfortunately, the name of Blueland’s “Forever” bottle does seem misleading. The bottle is meant to be refilled and to replace disposable, single-use cleaners. The bottles however have a bad reputation for leaking, breaking, and faulty nozzles within 6 months of purchase. So more like a summer fling, rather than a golden anniversary? I can confirm that this is definitely the case. One of the bottles leaked so much that we weren't even able to continue using it, and all of them had nozzles that repeatedly stuck during use, which led to lots of waiting for the trigger to pop back out before we could continue the task at hand. Many assume that acrylic can be recycled just like plastic, however, this is not the case. The acrylic plastic the spray bottles are made from is made with petroleum, a fossil fuel, and a non-renewable resource. While some recyclers will accept acrylic, it can be difficult to find someone who will recycle it properly. Acrylic is also nonbiodegradable, meaning when acrylic ends up in landfills, it will likely stay there, forever. So, maybe the name isn’t misleading after all? You can read more about acrylic here https://theroundup.org/how-to-recycle-acrylic/ Blueland’s tablets are developed in the United States, but the bottles are manufactured in China. If you’re looking for a product made completely in the U.S., this won't meet your criteria. Blueland cleaners are “surface cleaners” but are not disinfectants. So you're going to want a stronger product during cold and flu season. The ingredients in the cleaners don't formulate with the biocides that you'd find in antibacterial products, meaning Bluelands cleaners are not antibacterial. Blueland cleaners all have fragrances added to them and they are S-T-R-O-N-G. If you're sensitive to potent smells or suffer from migraines like I do, these are not the products for you, friend. The cleaners are almost bearable but I personally wouldn’t be able to use them daily. The foaming hand soap is definitely a no-go for me. The smell is so strong, like great-grandma’s fancy perfume that she douses on because she never gets to wear it, strong. Overall I really appreciate the opportunity to work with Blueland and look forward to working with them in the future. However, due to the strong perfume smells, the non-recyclable acrylic bottles, and the fact the cleaners aren’t antibacterial or disinfectant, I just can’t get on board… yet . I do believe Blueland to be a company that will listen to their customers' recommendations, so perhaps changes will be made. Until then, I'll continue with my tried-and-true cleaners. If you'd like to try Blueland cleaners for yourself, you can purchase them here . To check out my honest review on the Harvest Right Freeze Dryer you can find that here . Did you know that we have a newsletter? It features some of our favorite recipes and free printables that are only available to our subscribers! And don’t worry, we hate spam mail and value your time. You’ll receive an initial thank you email, and our newsletter is delivered monthly. You can help our small family business by sharing us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Click here  to sign up for our newsletter today!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy. Earth Day began over 50 years ago on April 22, 1970. Its purpose is to demonstrate support for environmental protection globally. You can read more about Earth Day and how to help by visiting EARTHDAY.ORG. Did you know America is responsible for 12% of the planet’s trash? About 90% of household and business waste is plastic, which ends up in landfills and oceans. You can read more about how much trash America produces here. One of my favorite quotes is by Maya Angelo: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” We aren't perfect, but I think we can all agree that too much waste is not a good thing. If you would like to do better, check out this list of TEN simple, eco-friendly changes to make now to add more sustainable practices to your everyday life. Klean Kanteen Steel Straws Why the switch? According to their website, Klean Kanteen is a certified B corporation and climate neutral certified. “Klean Kanteen products are made with 90% post-consumer certified recycled stainless steel, which comprises of reclaimed industrial stainless-steel equipment, and domestic/ daily life products.” Stasher Reusable Silicone Bags Why the switch? These reusable food-safe storage bags are made from non-toxic platinum silicone, and they are dishwasher and microwave safe. They are also BPA, PVC, and latex free. Earth Breeze Liquidless Laundry Detergent Sheets Why the switch? These hypoallergenic laundry sheets are free of parabens, phthalates, phosphates, bleach and dye, and are vegan and cruelty-free. They work in all washing machine types, including HE. They are also safe to use if you have a septic system. Seventh Generation 100% Recycled Tissue Paper Why the switch? This toilet tissue is made from 100% recycled paper and it is whitened without the use of chemicals containing chlorine. Seventh Generation has been around for over 30 years and has proven to be a friend to the environment. Smart Sheep 100% Wool Dryer Balls Why the switch? These reusable dryer balls are made from humanely sourced, high-quality New Zealand wool that is chemical-free and manufactured in Nepal. They are inspected and packaged in the United States. SuperScandi Swedish Dishcloths Why the switch? These dishcloths are made in Germany from natural renewable materials of wood pulp and cotton. These dishcloths provide outstanding absorbency, incredible durability, and excellent scrubbing power while being gentle on surfaces making them perfect for replacing paper towels. Dishcloths are compostable and biodegradable. Greenzla Natural Kitchen Sponges Why the switch? Greenzla durable dish scrubbers are made from the sturdy long-lasting natural fibers of hemp and sisal. This natural material helps to eliminate bad odor & dirt unlike traditional plastic sponges and cloths. Greenzla’s sponges are 100% biodegradable. Pyrex Glass Storage Containers Why the switch? Launched in the early 1900s, Pyrex uses glass which is naturally non-toxic and nonporous. The lids are BPA free and are safe for use in the freezer, microwave, and the top rack of the dishwasher. If you are still using plastic storage containers, now is the time to switch over to glass! Thrive Dishwasher Powder Why the switch? As someone who suffers from migraines, I really appreciate that not only is the citrus scent very light, but there is also a fragrance-free option. In comparison to other dishwashing detergents, Thrive Market is actually one of the more affordable available. It’s also nice that Thrive Market is a B corporation meaning, they set specific, social, and ethical goals such as governance, environment, and workers. That makes my Social Worker heart very happy! You can read more about B corporation certification here. Stream2Sea Sunscreen Stream2Sea offers the only mineral-based sunscreen on the planet that’s been tested and proven safe for freshwater fish, saltwater fish, and coral larvae, and has passed the stringent HEL Labs Protect Land + Sea certification. For our skin’s protection, their products are free from silicone, preservatives, parabens, phthalates, and SLS/SLES. To protect the environment, products are free from oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene which have been known to damage reefs. Did you know that we have a newsletter? It features some of our favorite recipes and free printables that are only available to our subscribers! And don’t worry, we hate spam mail and value your time. You’ll receive an initial thank you email, and our newsletter is delivered monthly. You can help our small family business by sharing us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Click here to sign up for our newsletter today!

There are many reasons one chooses to preserve food at home. For some, it's a life skill that has been passed down through generations. For others, it's due to their culture or climate, and for others, it's due to their particular dietary needs. This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy. Jump to Resources In 2022, We began my journey of learning how to garden and how to preserve food. We started with home canning and using a dehydrator, then added using a home freeze dryer. I now use all three methods for preserving food, each serving its purpose well! Food, money, and stability were very inconsistent during my childhood. My goal as a wife and a mom has always been to have food and water available, no matter the circumstances. I want to ensure that my family has what they need to survive and thrive in every way possible. For many years in our marriage, we were a very modest, single income. I had to find ways to be creative while saving money. I used cash-back apps, coupons, budget billing for utilities, ditched cable, and made DIY cleaning products. I froze a lot of things such as chicken stock and extra meals and made meals as affordably as possible. While doing as much as I could to save money, I also made sure to purchase one or two “extra” of products to create a small stockpile. I continue to create a stockpile, though now it's primarily with home-preserved food. I've been very grateful for our small stockpile a few times, most recently last summer when I was unexpectedly ill for weeks. If your work is dependent on weather, tourist seasons, or some other variable, having a small stockpile will definitely come in handy when money may be more inconsistent. Living in a climate prone to major hurricanes is also a huge factor for me. I have lived on the Southern Gulf Coast of the United States since I was about three years old. I'm no stranger to tropical storms and hurricanes. Of course, in 2005, Hurricane Katrina taught me the most. I saw whole neighborhoods wiped away, and families standing in long lines hoping to be given enough food and water to last them until the next day, when they'd have to stand in line again. The electricity was off for days in some areas and weeks in others, with temperatures in the triple digits. Lines for gas stretched for miles. As a single, 20-something, I was mentally and physically unprepared for after the storm. I never want to feel that unprepared again. For me, food preservation is about peace of mind. Make no mistake, it's not my intention to hoard food or have a “Doomsday Prepper” outlook. We don't have food stored all over my house. I simply want to be able to feed my family, no matter what. You can read more about food preservation in our previous posts: Preparing for Canning Season Five Items to Can this Summer If food preservation is something you've thought about for you and your family, I encourage you to go with your gut. If you're intimidated by home canning, watch a few videos on YouTube or locate a class in your area. Many county extension offices offer classes for adults and children, in-person and online, on home food preservation, gardening, and 4H for free, or at very minimal cost! Don’t forget to look for other extension offices in nearby counties as they may offer other events and trainings that are different from your local branch. Here are five of my favorite resources: National Center for Home Food Preservation National Institute of Food and Agriculture Ball Mason Jars Kerr Home Canning Utah State University: Canning Resources Freeze Drying: Essential and Nice-to-have Tools and Supplies If big batches of recipes aren’t necessary for your household, half the recipes so that you have enough to meet your needs without having an overwhelming amount. If the price of a freeze-dryer just seems too far out of reach for you, wait until it goes on sale, lock in your sale price, and make interest-free layaway payments for as long as you need. You can learn more about Harvest Right and freeze drying here. You can also start with a more affordable option like dehydrating. I love my Excalibur dehydrator and oftentimes have it running when my freeze dryer is full. Having food preserved in various ways is a great way to ensure you'll always have food available. We hope that you enjoyed this article and learned something new. If you did, we’d love to hear from you in the comments. Did you know that we have a newsletter? It features some of our favorite recipes and free printables that are only available to our subscribers! And don’t worry, we hate spam mail and value your time. You’ll receive an initial thank you email, and our newsletter is delivered monthly. You can help our small family business by sharing us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Click here to sign up for our newsletter today!

These cake-like muffins are made with fresh, sweet cherries, delicious vanilla, and topped with cinnamon sugar. Jump To Recipe This summer, I was able to score fresh cherries for only $0.99 per pound. Let’s just say I purchased several pounds and I regret absolutely nothing ! I made everything from home canned cherry pie filling to cherry chocolate chip waffles. But these Cherry Vanilla Muffins are by far the best thing I made! We love having muffins available for a quick breakfast or as a snack when we’re on the go. And I know I may have mentioned this before , but man, kids snack a lot! I feel like every time I turn around, my kids are telling me they’re hungry or asking for a snack. I always try to pack a little something for us if I know we’ll be out and about for a few hours. These muffins are as filling as they are delicious! Having healthy, homemade snacks and treats around is so easy to do when we take just a few minutes of our day to prep. While this recipe is a sweet treat and should be enjoyed periodically, it's packed with fresh cherries, which are high in vitamins, A, C, and K. They’re also full of potassium and magnesium which has been proven beneficial for heart health. You’ll want to make double or triple batches of these sweet treats to have on hand for when snack time hits. These muffins freeze beautifully and can thaw at room temperature in about 20 minutes. They're also a great addition to home-packed school lunches! To Make these Cherry Vanilla Muffins you’ll need a few simple ingredients: Cake Flour I used standard cake flour for this recipe. To ensure accurate flour measurements, use a spoon to add the flour to your measuring cup and level it off with a flat edge, like the back of a butterknife. If you don’t have cake flour on hand, no worries! Here’s a quick substitution recipe: For a quick cake flour substitution, 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour and ¼ cup cornstarch may be used. Simply whisk flour and cornstarch together gently then continue with the recipe as directed. Baking Power To get a nice, tall rise from your muffins, you will need a leveling agent like baking powder. I don’t recommend substituting baking soda for the baking powder in this recipe. Butter We love the richness real butter adds to baked goods, but you can certainly replace the butter with a neutral oil like olive oil or avocado oil. Eggs Fresh eggs help not only add flavor and moisture but also help create structure and stability within the batter. Sugar Sugar helps to keep baked goods soft and moist. Salt Salt helps to preserve the flavor and prevent staleness. Vanilla Extract I absolutely love my homemade vanilla extract and will likely never return to the store-bought version again! Homemade extracts offer a cleaner flavor, meaning they don’t taste artificial like the common store brands. They are also really affordable to make and easy to customize. You can check out my favorite homemade extracts here ! Making these Cherry Vanilla Muffins is Easy! The short version of making almost any muffin, cake, or baked good is to combine wet ingredients in one bowl, combine dry ingredients in another bowl, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and stir well. It may seem unnecessary to dirty up so many bowls, but there's actually some pretty cool science that happens when we separate the ingredients like this. When we use leavening agents, also known as aeration agents, like baking powder or baking soda, we want to make sure they are being dispersed evenly. This helps to ensure an even rise and consistency in flavor. So, let’s get to it! Ingredients 1 cup sugar 1 stick butter, softened 2 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups cake flour 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup milk 2 cups fresh cherries, pitted, coarsely chopped Cinnamon Sugar Topping 2 Tablespoons sugar 1 Tablespoon cinnamon Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick spray or paper liners. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar by using a mixer on medium-speed for approximately 1-2 minutes or until mixture is light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time to butter and sugar mixture, beating each on low speed with mixer. Add vanilla extract. In a medium bowl, sift together cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Add flour mixture one-half cup at a time to butter mixture using low speed on mixer. Add milk and continue mixing until well combined but do not overmix. Gently fold in chopped cherries by gently incorporating them into the flour mixture. Carefully spoon muffin batter to prepared muffin tin ensuring each cup is approximately ¾ of the way full. Top each muffin with approximately ½ teaspoon of cinnamon sugar mixture. Bake for approximately 28-33 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the center of one muffin, if the toothpick comes out clean and free from any wet batter, the muffins are baked completely. Allow muffins to cool in the pan for approximately 5-7 minutes. Carefully remove muffins from pan and allow to cool completely on wire baking rack. Muffins may be stored at room temperature for three days, or can be frozen for up to three months. To freeze these Cherry Vanilla Muffins Place muffins on a cookie sheet uncovered in the freezer for approximately 1 hour. Remove from the freezer and place the frozen muffins in a freezer-safe storage bag for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply remove the desired amount of muffins from the freezer-safe storage bag and place on a plate. Allow to thaw at room temperature for about 20 minutes or reheat in the microwave for approximately 2 minutes. If you tried this Cherry Vanilla Muffin recipe, we'd love to hear how it turned out. Be sure to let us know in the comments below, tag us on Instagram @TheAzaleaHomestead , or share with us on Facebook ! Did you know that we have a newsletter? It features some of our favorite recipes and free printables that are only available to our subscribers! And don’t worry, we hate spam mail and value your time. You’ll receive an initial thank you email, and our newsletter is delivered monthly. You can help our small family business by sharing us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Click here  to sign up for our newsletter today!

This post may contain affiliate links. See disclaimer. As mentioned in our previous post, Ten Skills You Need to be a Homesteader, No Matter Your Circumstances, traditional skills such as food preservation, husbandry, and other life skills aren’t always passed down from previous generations. For the last eight decades, our world has become more reliant on cutting-edge conveniences and self-reliance has seemed to become a thing of the past. It's our duty to ourselves, our families, and our communities to learn these “off-grid” life skills and pass them on to future generations. Homesteading can and does look very different from one person to the next. For some, it may be an all-in approach with acres of rural land, a barn full of animals, natural water and energy sources, and complete off-grid self-reliance. To others, it may be a slow and steady approach with small, meaningful changes for a more self-sufficient lifestyle. Whatever your approach, having a few high-quality how-to books on hand will never be a bad investment. Whether you have lots of acreage, live in an urban environment, or the suburbs like us, having an arsenal of knowledge is key to running a great homestead. Sure, we can do a quick search from our phones or other electronic devices, but what if that option isn’t available? I’m not talking about a SHTF situation; that’s a topic for another day. Just a random instance like a power outage can really open our eyes as to what we might be missing in our preparations for self-reliance. 1. The Encyclopedia of Country Living, 50th Anniversary Edition: The Original Manual for Living off the Land & Doing It Yourself by Carla Emery This book is massive and is surprisingly budget-friendly. You definitely get the most bang for your buck when it comes to needing a single resource on homesteading. With over 900 pages, this comprehensive how-to book has been considered by many as the homesteading Bible for over 50 years. A true classic, this guide teaches readers how to live off the grid, how to be prepared, and how to be self-reliant. Some of the topics included are food preservation, beekeeping, raising livestock, creating natural skincare products, and natural remedies. 2. Homesteading: A Backyard Guide to Growing Your Own Food, Canning, Keeping Chickens, Generating Your Own Energy, Crafting, Herbal Medicine, and More (Back to Basics Guides) by Abigail Gehring This 464-page book contains a lifetime’s worth of valuable homestead education. While the book has a ton of important, well-thought-out guidance, it's not a how-to guide like some of the other book suggestions. We found it to be more of an overview of what's possible with ideas on how to get things done. The information given makes the prospect of connecting with many of the skills our modern society has forgotten exciting. And because the author has “walked the walk” of a homesteader, the content comes across as authentic. 3. 40 Projects for Building Your Backyard Homestead: A Hands-on, Step-by-Step Sustainable-Living Guide (Creative Homeowner) Fences, Chicken Coops, Sheds, Gardening, and More for Becoming Self-Sufficient by David Toht This book offers 40 step-by-step projects, from housing chickens to erecting a windmill. With over 250 pages of step-by-step instructions and detailed photos on how to complete each project, you're sure to complete everything you need on your homestead! This book is an excellent reference for both experienced and novice homesteaders. 4. The Made-From-Scratch Life: Your Get-Started Homesteading Guide by Melissa K. Norris Essential food preservation techniques, up-to-date safety standards, and tons of from-scratch recipes can all be found in this wonderful addition to any kitchen cookbook collection or homesteading library. From traditional food preservation like fermenting, to modern conveniences like freeze-drying and dehydrating, there really is something for everyone to learn. The Made-From-Scratch Life is perfect for the beginner homesteader as it walks you through every step with instructions and photos making it easy to follow along. 5. National Geographic Road Atlas 2024: Adventure Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico] by National Geographic Maps As a resident of the southern Gulf Coast in the United States, there have been times when the electricity was off for days or weeks at a time. Hurricane Katrina not only caused physical destruction, but it also wreaked havoc on my mental health. During moments of panic, there was discussion among family members about possibly driving somewhere safer. However, with the power down, there was no way to look up options for hotels in nearby states or even directions to get there. That’s when I realized how important it is to have a printed, high-quality, road atlas available. No matter where you are in your homesteading journey, having a vast physical library on major self-sufficiency topics is an essential element to the success of your homestead. Physical books never stop working for us. Ever. We hope this list is helpful to you and that you create many triumphs on your homestead! In no way is this meant to be an exhaustive list of what's available or as a complete homesteading library. There are thousands of books that can definitely be beneficial. However, as a novice suburban homesteader, we found these books extremely helpful. Let us know in the comments what books you'd add to the list! 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