I vividly remember this one lovingly-but-terribly prepared stir-fry that I served to dear friends just months after having my first baby and becoming a full time homemaker. The beef was so tough and badly cooked, you had to chew, chew, chew, and take a huge gulp of water to try to get it to go…
By Jessica Smartt, Contributing Writer When I was little, we always attended my grandmother’s church on Good Friday. They were Lutheran, and it was a somber, holy service. (Except for the time we sang a hymn with the line “I am but a worm” and we giggled all the way home. Until we were punished…) Anyway, the…
By Erin Odom, Contributing Writer One of the easiest transitions to living a more natural life is to reduce using disposable products. Not only does cutting back on using disposable products minimize your exposure to toxins found in plastics and bleached paper, but it is also an eco-friendly way to save you money! The most important thing…
By Kelly Smith, Contributing Writer The start of a new year often rekindles our desire to eat healthier! And for many of us that means saying goodbye to all of those empty-calorie carbs and refined sugars that always seem to creep in during the holidays. But rather than take drastic measures and completely nix baked goods altogether, what if I told you…
By Stacy Karen, Contributing Writer The indulgences of the holiday season are coming to a close and many of us are looking for simple ways to nourish ourselves and feel better. [Tweet “A simple soup is the perfect solution to days (or weeks) of overindulgence. “] Even if you played it safe and didn’t wander far…
By Andrea Green, Contributing Writer Looking to avoid the commercialism of the holidays? Want to give a gift that is fun yet meaningful? Feeling crafty? I’ve rounded up 10 DIY gifts to make for kids. Some of these will require some basic sewing skills, but all of these are easy to whip up with inexpensive supplies….
The ultimate guide of natural products to help support living a more sustainable, non-toxic and eco-friendly lifestyle Food Grass-Fed *Tropical Traditions Grass-Fed Traditions provides grass-fed beef produced by family farms with animals that graze on pasture. Food Planning and Preparation *The Beginner’s Guide to Zero Waste Cooking Tips and techniques to start concept cooking with…
By Kelly Smith, Contributing Writer When it comes to holiday gift-giving, there are few things as special as receiving a gift handmade with love. It’s a simple, thoughtful way to show you care, and really expresses the true spirit of the holidays – giving from the heart! Of course, there are all kinds of gifts you can…
I’m not into giving my kids a lot of stuff. Maybe you’re not either. As the holidays draw near, I tend to get a little anxious about how much new stuff will make its way into our home. Even more than that, I care about the type of stuff it is. Blinking, battery-operated, Disney-character emblazoned…
I’ve never been thrilled about using conventional medications, and over the past 7 years my family has transitioned to using mostly natural remedies for any ailment that comes our way. I want to be clear in that I think there is a time and place for antibiotics and other conventional medications. But our family’s rule of…
I suppose “rustic” is just a fancy way of saying that I make mashed potatoes with the skins on. Why keep the skins, you ask? Not only does it make the name sound fancier, it also makes for a more nutritious mashed potato. The skins house most of the nutrients in the humble potato, including:…
By Andrea Green, Contributing Writer With the holidays right around the corner, many of us will be hosting friends and family for dinners, desserts, games, and festivities. [Tweet “Dressing up the table for the holidays can be both inexpensive and fun.”] First, you’ll want to enlist the help of your kiddos. Head out on a nature…
Many of our Keeper of the Home readers are big on DIY, and I can understand why. You can create your own products, customized just the way you like them, with ingredients you know are safe and pure, for much less than you can buy them for. But, it’s not for everyone. Many of you…
; By Kelly Smith, Contributing Writer Pumpkin and I have had a great relationship ever since I first met this handsome “gourd.” I remember picking out my first plump round pumpkin as a preschooler and watching my mom turn that hard, rough sphere of orange into a squishy-squashy puree of pure delight! [Tweet “Seriously, who doesn’t love pumpkin? It’s…
; This year’s Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle 2014 is now OVER. We hope that you all enjoy your bundles and watch for the next sale to come around again next year.; We usually also do a homemaking sale every spring. If you’d like to hear about it, make sure you sign up for our emails…
By Emily McClements, Contributing Writer I don’t know about you, but for some reason when February arrives I feel the strong need to hit the reset button for our family. I’m sure it’s the time off over the holidays, and the cold weather, and being stuck inside, but we all start to get a little…
One of my family’s favorite Christmas traditions is to make homemade gifts in a jar. And the wonderful thing is, they’re as much fun to make together, as they are to give to others! Simply layer the ingredients of a treasured recipe in a jar, then add a festive ribbon and tag, and there you…
This post was originally published in December 2012–but we thought you would love a reminder about these delicious holiday lattes you can make in your crock pot! By Rachel, Contributing Writer There is just something about the holidays that seems to make people want to warm up to a piping hot latte. Did you know…
By Kresha, Contributing Writer I love big feasting holidays. I love the excuse to gather with people I love to give thanks for the blessings in our lives, I love the little traditions that spring up over the years, and I LOVE the food. But when it’s a large meal with more food than can…
; It’s that time of year for autumn adventures, such as nature walks, hiking, bonfires, football on the lawn, nighttime stargazing, tailgating picnics, candlelit evenings, and jumping into freshly-raked leaf piles! Whether you’re staying close to home, or planning a trip for the upcoming holidays, make sure you are prepared for the occasional bumps, bug…
Guest Post by Hilary Kimes Bernstein Since leaving my parents’ house for college 19 years ago, I’ve called 13 different places “home.” I can assure you that I’ve become quite the pro at packing and unpacking. Some of these homes have been dorm rooms; others have been tiny apartments – one rental that I nicknamed…
By Kresha, Contributing Writer The summer holidays are just about to be upon us in North America and with them come summer barbecues. Oh, goodness, I love summer…. ::sigh:: With Memorial Day in the U.S. and Victoria Day in Canada just around the corner, summer picnics, pool parties, and backyard barbecues will soon be in…
Note- This sale has now ended. Hopefully we’ll be doing it again next year! 🙂 Let’s face it. Being a homemaker is a hard job. (Can I get an amen?) Not only is it the hardest role I’ve ever taken on, but it’s also one of the most important. Homemaking encompasses how I care for…
One of my favorite ways to stay organized has just gotten even better. I’ve been using ListPlanIt’s printable lists and organizational pages in my homemaking binder, menu plans on my fridge, shopping lists tucked into my purse, and anywhere else I needed them for the last several years. Personally, I still love printable lists. I’m…