Stumbling Homestead » Podcast Feed show

Stumbling Homestead » Podcast Feed

Summary: The Stumbling Homestead Podcast covers all aspects of modern homesteading. This is a rolling account of the successes and failures of our family, as we tackle (for the first time): moving from the city to the country, small scale farming, raising chickens, raising cows, food storage, preparation for power outages, pets and their role in homesteading, alternate investment strategies, greenwashing, security, food freedom and our liberties, composting, gardening strategies, homeschooling, and eating nutrient dense foods.

Join Now to Subscribe to this Podcast
  • Visit Website
  • RSS
  • Artist: Stumbling Homestead
  • Copyright: Copyright © Stumbling Homestead 2010

Podcasts:

 Episode 24: Creating a Local Economy | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:57:49

This week we discuss the challenges facing our continually eroding local economies, and some possible steps that we can take to reverse this trend. We focus on local merchants versus the less-expensive big box stores, local farmers versus distant food, local banks, and local charities. References: * http://solari.com/blog/?p=10289 * Great silver and gold coin dealer (via U.S. mail): the-moneychanger.com * www.localharvest.org. * Check out local banks at http://banktracker.msnbc.msn.com/banks/ * How To Find and Evaluate a Local Bank * http://www.lehmans.com/ * Intro to permaculture concepts * Greening the desert * Deep bedding for chickens * Black Soldier Fly Larvae * Raising Meal Worms * Paul Wheaton interview on the Survival Podcast

 Episode 23: Free range versus confined chickens | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:56:39

This week we revisit chickens, to discuss feeding and shelter options. Topics discussed: * Buying feed: GMO versus non_GMO. * Options for feeding your chickens protein. * Free ranging versus chicken tractors versus greenhouse confinement. * Predators References: Free Range = Sustainable Right? by matronofhusbandry Chicken Forest Pasture Experiment by Anna at waldeneffect.org

 Episode 22 : Book Review of Joel Salatin’s Lunatic Farmer | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:57:01

Join us for a book review of Joel Salatin's latest work: The Sheer Ecstasy of Being A Lunatic Farmer. Chapters are examined in the context of our homesteading activities. References: * Book of Virtues: A Treasury of Great Moral Stories Edited by William J. Bennett * The Sheer Ecstasy of Being A Lunatic Farmer by Joel Salatin * Herrick Kimball: http://thedeliberateagrarian.blogspot.com/ * Hannah Coulter, by Wendell Berry * Simply Charlotte Mason forum (children's book suggestions)

 Episode 21: Nutrient Dense Food Storage | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:00:00

Many nutritionally dense foods will soon spoil if left out. The challenge then, is how to develop a three or six month stockpile of these foods. Join us as we discuss storage options for: * Fats * Meat * Nuts and Seeds * Herbs, Spices, and Condiments * Vitamins * Vegetables * Fruit * Dairy * Grains * Beans * Prepared Foods * Stretching Protein No knead bread: 1. 3.5 cups filtered water 2. .5 teaspoon of slow rise yeast (like Fleishman's) 3. .5 teaspoon of sea salt 4. 3 cups of spelt or kamut or hard red turket wheat (least preferable) Freshly ground 5. 1 cup of barley or millet or corn or rye or oats 6. .25 cup of one other grain 7. .25 cup of another grain 8. mix grain all together and grind it 9. add it to the water, yeast, and salt mixture 10. add handful of raisins and a tablespoon of cinnamon 11. cover the bowl and let sit for 24-72 (or even a week) hrs. Gets more sourdough-y 12. Fermentation will disable enzyme inhibitors that are in all grain. 13. Put covered frying pan in oven and heat it (empty) to 425. Scoop out half to a third of the dough and put it in the pan, put lid back on and put it in the oven for 30-35 minutes. 14. When done, tip the pan and the bread falls out, no cleaning of the dish. 15. This can be eaten with yogurt, chili, etc. References: * http://stumblinghomestead.com/blog/recommended-books/ * Making the Best of Basics (Family Preparedness Handbook), by James Talmage Stevens * The Weston A. Price Foundation (westonaprice.org) * Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon * Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, by Weston A. Price * Russ Silver’s DVD, Food Storage as a Lifestyle * Paleo Prepper thread from The Survival Podcast Forum * Bulk Organic Food from Amazon * Ocean's Alive fish guide and the Seafood Watch Program

 Episode 20: Homeschoolers Interviewed | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:05:10

Join us as we interview three homeschooling families and learn from their experiences. We discuss the transition from institutional schooling to a homeschool approach. Topics include: homeschool philosophy, structured versus non-structured curriculum, socialization, and student motivation. Also referenced: The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook, by Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore

 Episode 19: Holistic Child Care with Dr. Randall Neustaedter | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:02:43

Join us this week as we discuss holistic child care with Dr. Randall Neustaedter. We discuss the philosophy of holistic pediatrics, prenatal nutrition, supplements, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, and informed vaccine decisions.

 Episode 18: Listener Comments | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:01:37

There's been a wealth of good information provided recently by listeners via their comments and emails. I thought that it would be useful to share these with everyone this week. Join me, as I discuss: - Gever Tulley, and Five Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Children Do - Homeschooling links: * khanacademy.org * http://www.moorefoundation.com/index.php * http://simplycharlottemason.com/ - Reducing gamey taste in grass-fed beef * Soaking in salt water to draw out the blood * Soaking in milk or buttermilk * All About Braising: The Art of Uncomplicated Cooking * Retained heat cooking: http://pocketsofthefuture.com/blog/?p=903 * Stressful slaughter methods could increase gamey taste - Making gifts - Rotational grazing on a small scale, and shavings for cow bedding - A counter-response in favor of moderation with technology - Update on our calf: unsuccessful dehorning - Tip of the week: short handsaw makes an excellent machette - Tip of the week #2: Making yogurt. Adding small amount of powdered milk to thicken yogurt. - Tip of the week #3: Nutritious raw yogurt smoothies.

 Episode 17: The Power of Community | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:53:13

* Modern society has isolated us from our neighbors and enticed us to form virtual communities. * Having strong ties with our neighbors is one of the most important steps we can take towards self-sufficiency. * I discuss some suggestions for helping foster relationships with neighbors, and others in our immediate community. References: * Better Off: Flipping the Switch on Technology, by Eric Brende * Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Family Collection, by Laura Ingalls Wilder * http://theselfsufficientgardener.com/ * The Food Security Knowledge Pack, by Jason Akers

 Episode 16: Technology and Atrophy of the Mind and Body | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:10:45

Tip of the week: Christmas giving and Santa Claus * Technology and labor saving devices. What is the healthy balance? * Society seems on the side of never-ending increased efficiency and reduction of labor. * Amish don't allow electricity or engines, and can serve as a good model for evaluating the introduction of new technology into our lives. Resources: Better Off: Flipping the Switch on Technology, by Eric Brende Vertical Farming: It is Elegant But Is It Feasible? by Sharon Astyk Simple Living: Be Skeptical of the Benefits of Technology, by Rick Saenz The Plowboy Interviews, by John Shuttleworth

 Episode 15: Homesteading When Kids Don’t Co-operate | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:55:13

Tip of the week: freezing eggs. A discussion of several ideas for dealing with young children who are less than helpful with household chores. Also a discussion of the importance of having children enjoy the tasks associated with homesteading, and how we might prevent the exodus of our children from the homestead when they are older. References: * Some Kind of Help is the Kind of Help...:Getting Things Done With Kids Who Can't Help, by Sharon Astyk * Family Friendly Farming: A Multi-Generational Home-Based Business Testament, by Joel Salatin

 Episode 14: How Grass Farming Benefits the Environment | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:57:03

* Greenwashing and corporate co-opting of the green movement. * Global Climate Disruption, reductionist thinking, and the wrongheaded solutions proposed by the mainstream. * The popular green revolution seems largely concerned with buying or inventing our way out of this mess. * Ultimately, we've got to realize that this is a finite planet, and we can't keep growing indefinitely. What to do about it? What if we could address top soil erosion, water and air pollution, and sequester a boatload of carbon, just for insurance? And not have to rely on gimmicky manipulative carbon taxing schemes, or insane spraying of toxic material into our skys? And also produce nutritious food as well? Properly managed herbivore grazing on pasture mimics the natural pre-industrial, pre-agricultural state of the land, and can sequester more carbon than all other proposed solutions, without negative side effects. References: * EatWild.com * Eliot Coleman debunking the meat/climate change myth * Joel Salatin on carbon sequestration * www.cheeseslave.com * Tender Grass Fed Meat cookbook by Stanley Fishman * Stumbling Homestead Theme Music, and other songs

 Episode 13: Marjory Wildcraft of Backyard Food Production | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:15:40

Marjory Wildcraft, of backyardfoodproduction.com joins us this week to discuss her story, and share some of her extensive knowledge on such topics as: Gardening: * How much room do I need to feed my family? * How to best involve toddlers and let them grow into various duties. * Suggested tasks for the little ones. Livestock: * Introducing kids to respectful death, and compassionate husbandry. * How much responsibility to give kids for feeding, etc.. When do I involve the kids in the processing, if at all? Building a closed loop system gradually over time. Order of projects: what might make sense to start with, what challenges you are currently facing. For folks who can't move yet, but want to start food production and homesteading now, what would be good things to start with? References: * http://www.backyardfoodproduction.com/ * How to Grow More Vegetables and Fruits (and Fruits, Nuts, Berries, Grains, and Other Crops) Than You Ever Thought Possible on Less Land Than You Can Imagine by John Jeavons * Future Farmers of America (https://www.ffa.org/Pages/default.aspx)

 Episode 12: Ten Homesteading Tools and Items | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:00:04

1) Cordless impact driver and reciprocating saw 2) Head lamp 3) Leatherman 4) Muck boots 5) Palettes 6) Fence wire and plumber's tape 7) Used reliable 4-wheel drive pickup truck 8) Dehydrator 9) Ball jars 10) Computer and high speed internet References: * Dehydration information: dehydrate2store.com * Retained heat cooking: http://pocketsofthefuture.com/blog/?p=903 * Educational web site for kids: http://www.starfall.com/

 Episode 11: The Argument for Homeschooling | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:03:51

Our homesteading podcast exploring the pros and cons of homeschooling. Includes excerpts of audio from John Taylor Gatto. Passive desk based learning has been demonstrated to be a horrible way to learn. John Taylor Gatto (http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/): * Taught in NY public schools for 30 years * Named NY city teacher of the year 3 different years, and state teacher of the year * Believes that the current institutional school system does little to teach, and actually destroys individual thought and the natural desire to learn * Gatto describes the disadvantage of extending childhood too far, and advocates the earlier practice of assigning responsibility early to children. Unfortunately, we jump to quickly into a fear response, and remove all opportunities for our kids to have responsibility Homeschooled kids repeatedly beat others in standardized tests. Teaching to the test, not teaching our kids. Is socialization in school system really a benefit? (school imposes artificial boundaries approximating caste systems: age, popularity, language, advanced placement versus basic...) Not enough time in the day to homeschool? Think again. 1.5 to 2 hours to cover equivalent of a typical day's classwork. So much of school time is spent on non-school activities. Teaching children to line up, etc. Unschooling for teens and other children converting from institutional school to homeschooling. See this blog: Mark Zeiger (http://akzeigers.com/blog/):

 Episode 10: Ten Easy Nutrient Dense Foods in our Homestead | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:58:20

Here are 10 of our homestead's favorite nutrient dense foods. 1) Sauerkraut and pickles 2) Eggs 3) Raw milk 4) Cultured dairy: soft cheese, sour cream, butter, yogurt, kefir 5) Bone broth 6) Soaked and dried nuts 7) Grass-fed beef (organ meats, cuts of beef, ground meat) 8) Lard and tallow 9) Fruits 10) Greens, carrots, squash, zucchini and other vegetables Related links: * Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon * Too Much Medicine and Not Enough Health by Layna Berman and Jeff Fawcett

Comments

Login or signup comment.