CrabApple Homestead

Cooking deeply nourishing meals on a tight budget doesn’t have to be as difficult as it seems! Here are some of my favorite ways of making this sustainable for our family.

•Keep it simple!
Special occasions can call for special meals but in the day to day, sticking with a healthy grain or starch, meat, and seasonal veggies keeps cooking from becoming overwhelming or exhausting while still providing yummy and nutritious meals for your family.

• Buy affordable cuts of meat.
A whole chicken is much more affordable than buying individual cuts and after eating the meat, you can use it to make bone broth for an added nutritional and financial value!
Ordering a 1/4 or 1/2 beef from a local farm is an initial investment that is often much more affordable than if you were to buy those cuts individually from a grocery store. You can request bones to make bone broth AND you can request the fat to make tallow 😉

•Know where to prioritize quality.
Using the Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen lists (easily found on a quick internet search) can help you know what produce to prioritize buying organic if you’re not able to buy everything organic.

•Buy whole food ingredients.
While many prepackaged or highly processed foods and snacks may feel cheaper than buying whole foods, when you look at the nutritional value provided it is actually much more bang for your buck to skip the processed foods and stick to single ingredients whenever possible. Even when labeled organic or natural, ask yourself “is this really fulfilling a nutritional need?”

•Eat seasonal and local whenever possible.
This can save money while also providing more targeted nutrition based on our seasonal needs. In summer, our bodies benefit from carbs like fruits while we are getting so many hours of sunlight and heat every day. In winter, our bodies need restoration through more root and cooked vegetables.

•When not buying local, buy bulk!
I am thankful to have Costco nearby but even if you don’t, there are so many good shipping options that make this very attainable. Azure Standard is my go-to for pantry staples and even household products.
Linked here —> https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=8c7ed7cabd

Intentionality in the last few weeks of summer

Have you ever used Comfrey?
I love having it in an oil infusion rub for rashes, eczema, and sore muscles. This frozen poultice was a suggestion I heard recently to keep burn treatment readily available even if it is winter and the plant has died back!
What are your favorite uses for Comfrey?

Ahh the contrasting views of summer on the homestead.
Sunflowers growing tall and beautiful next to the compost heap🌻
Precious fluffy chicks next to their water dish that they constantly fill with dirt🐥
Freshly cut wildflowers next to my desperate attempt at fly control🌼🪰

I’m sure there’s a metaphor in there somewhere but for now, I’m just going to ignore the flies and look at the wild flowers while I wash the dishes🫣

Handcrafted just for you 😊

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