Homestead And A Blog

In this post I share why I choose to homestead and blog. I talk about who encouraged and helped me along in the blogging journey.

My first blogging experience took place as a part of the 2015 TCA Thoroughbred Makeover where I posted 140 times sharing the story of preparing Navajo Bo for the event held at the Kentucky Horse Park.  I realized I loved to write.

Homestead and Blog

I knew I needed to step away from the horses for at least a season. A seed of desire planted when we had purchased this property, began to grow as 2016 rolled around. How could I use what I had in front of me to grow my own food? create an income? I needed a place to work within the boundary of my current limitations brought about by my health struggles. One of my ideas: Blog about my journey.

NOTE: This page or post contains affiliate links. When you click and make a purchase I earn a portion of the money you spend at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support.

Dr. Caroline Leaf’s book Think and Eat Yourself Smart

I have learned and been encouraged for years by what Dr Caroline Leaf teaches about the brain, and thought life. I happily participated in her book launch Think and Eat Yourself Smart. In reading this book, I found affirmation to the ideas bouncing around in my head.

This dream of mine did indeed meet a need in our land. I wanted to share with others how easy it is to produce your own food. The following describes the original idea put into words in October of 2019.

Our Vision
A world in which preserving and cooking from naturally raised foods became a norm instead of a rarity. Where both men and women would understand their ability to raise much of their own food instead of relying on handouts  
Our Mission
To provide information to others on best sustainable farming practices with little start up costs by using the resources available. Encourage those interested in returning to local foods no matter if they are grown themselves or purchased from local farms

2016 A Start with Chickens

On our property sat a 60’ X 30’ chicken barn. It had been partially insulated and used for storing hay and anything else we needed a place for. In looking around at what I had, I decided I wanted to get chickens. The blog post Why Pick Swedish Flower Hens tells that story.

In May of 2016 I drove 3 hours one way to pick up Swedish Flower Hen chicks. I destinctly recall the anticipation of endless possibility and prayfully telling the Lord I was giving this chicken project to Him.

I joined Swagbucks in 2017. I earned $250.00 that year. A part of the total was earned when I signed up for Blue Host to host WordPress.org through Swagbucks.

2017 Website: A Country Girl’s Heart ~ Beats that Matter

The desire to blog continued to grow in me as I learned about chickens, and continued to care for horses. Knowing my interest in blogging, my sister forwarded an email to me sharing about an inexpensive course to learn about starting a blog.

Cyrstal Paine who sold the course, had won my attention as the author of Choose Gratitude: Blessings Journal.

I jumped on the opportunity to learn for the tiny investment of $7. I learned enough from that short course to keep me working toward my goal.

Crystal encourages and teaches at Your Blogging University and through Your Blogging Mastermind.

I launched my blog in the summer of 2017. I sat in the Irma downtown Cody, Wyoming working on this new venture and feeling the excitement of all the possibilities.

Crystal Paine’s Your Blogging University continued to provide me with course content helping me along the way. Each new course she launched I purchased at her introductory price. Learning and growing with each new basic blogging course.

2019 Blogging Mastermind Opportunity

When the email came announcing her mastermind group, I felt excited and believed I wanted to be a part. None the less, I prayed over the idea, and gave it time. I think I waited until the last minute to sign up. I wanted to be sure that I did not throw money after an emotional desire. Looking back the value exceeds the cost.

What is the Mastermind?

The basic format consists of :

  • 2 live trainings every month
  • an online forum
  • an annual meet up
  • Office Hours: (new in November of 2019) live question and answer session 2 times a month.

The online forum provides a place to connect, network, view past trainings, ask questions of other bloggers and Crystal while inspiring each other to keep moving forward. 

“The blogging world often felt lonely to me as no one in my immediate circle worked in this niche. I knew connecting with other bloggers would benefit me.” ~ Maria Graber

The live trainings provide inspiration to me to try new avenues. One example, Instagram, motivated me to become serious about growing an Instagram account. I admit I continue to learn the best ways to use this platform, but I went from no Instagram to a following of about 170. If you are on Instagram and like homesteading, chickens, and growing your own food, be sure to follow CG Heartbeats Farm.

We are given monthly assignment that correlate with the monthly live trainings. New members may view all the past trainings.

Mastermind Meet Up

The first meet up took place in Franklin, TN. I felt for the first time that this blogging journey is the real deal. Listening to others share their dreams, where they blog at and how they earn money from their website.

We split into smaller groups and created a 6-month goal for our blogging business. As we brainstormed for each other and formed new relationships, I knew I wanted to continue this path.

Listening to a conversation on a subject beyond my current level, served to inspire me to keep working. I not only set a 6 month goal, I gained a picture of what the future might look like as the business grew. These are the ideas that marinate in my mind.

I left feeling motivated, believing I too am capable of owning a successful blog. Connecting with other bloggers and seeing what worked for them gave me ideas of what might work for me. The fun thing about blogging is the unique way each writer brings their topic to the online world.

A local blogger opened her house to me and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her and her family. She blogs at www.leslieslittlecorner.com . Check her website out.

Leslie sets up new blogs for a great price.

My favorite part of the mastermind? The in person meet up, hands down, gets me feeling excited every time I think about going, both the past and future events. I am certain the value of meeting, connecting, learning, and encouraging goes way beyond the monthly price to be a part of Your Blogging Mastermind.

~ Maria Graber

Do you think Your Blogging Mastermind is for you? Enrollment is open for a limited time.

Your Blogging Mastermind: Additional Value for Me

In addition to the forum, weekly trainings and bi-annual in person meet up, Crystal gave us a unique opportunity. Her most recent course Monetize your Blog launched the end of September. Pre-launch, she gave anyone in the mastermind who wanted it, the entire course. In exchange for writing a review of the course, we could participate in her month-long coaching group of the course. I felt happy to review and share my thoughts of the course. I had no idea how the month of coaching would move me forward in my blogging journey.

All I accomplished as a part of Crystal’s Monetize Your Blog Coaching group: In the month of October, I applied and re-applied to be part of affiliate programs. I wrote my blogging why, ideal audience, and privacy policy. I had been procrastinating about these last 3. When I started blogging, I felt like I had no idea and after 2 years I have a better picture of who I serve. I learned more about affiliate marketing and sponsored posts including a guideline for pricing. I created my first media kit. I wrote an affiliate post and mock sponsored post. I have a clearer picture of what a monetized blog can look like. I am finishing up the assignments as I write this post. I will be brainstorming ideas of other income ventures and going over a disclosure policy to make sure all the legal stuff is in place.

Crystal does not promise these extra bonuses, but looks for ways to add value to our mastermind experience. The afore mentioned opportunity added value for me. I wonder what else she has in store?

Right now you have the chance to try it FREE for one week.

Do NOT miss this week’s training if you have a blog up and running.

What does a Blog have to do with a Homestead?

For where I am in my health journey, sitting down to rest is a part of my every day life. In the spring of 2014 when I became unable to work using physical labor, even at home, I would sit and watch movies or TV. It felt unfulfilling and like I was wasting my time. I occupied myself, but had nothing to show for it.

I would at times write out my struggles, but that produced no income. Fast forward through spiritual, emotional and physical healing, blogging as a business gives me a chance to work toward earning money. Have I earned much via my writing? Not yet. I am beginning to see a small amount. I trust that as I continue to learn and apply, the result will be money additional money earned.

A Country Girl’s Heart ~ Beats that Matter has been and continues to be a great way to showcase the 3 heritage chicken breeds I am raising. We all know how undependable social media selling has become. One has to tip toe around on Facebook to promote anything related to animal sales. A website provides a place online that you own no matter what a social media platform’s current trend may be.

I need these times to rest my body and still use my mind. Most days I need to be up moving, caring for animals and working combined with the times of resting and writing.  Blogging about the homestead life gives me a way to do both.

For you, a homesteader, a website provides a place to share your knowledge, promote crafts created, animals raised and share your story with the world.

If you do not have your blog set up yet, check out these courses at Your Blogging University

Book Review: Eat and Think Yourself Smart

I realize it has been some time since this book has launched. I felt a huge affirmation as I read Eat and Think Yourself Smart in 2016. I sensed strongly that my desire to raise as much of my own food as possible, teaching others as I learned, sharing my ideas and experiences was a an inspired path. It has taken some time to manifest and truly is still in its beginning stages.

About the Book

Dr Caroline Leaf takes on the Modern American Diet(MAD) advocating the importance of real local food for all.  She speaks to the food choices we have and the impact that “cheap” food has on our health.  When one considers the rising cost of health, it is not such a bargain after all. A large section of Eat and Think Yourself Smart takes a look at how the brain functions. Dr Leaf’s Geodesic Information Processing Theory formed the basis for her 30 (+)years of research with clients and research. She includes a 21 day diet plan complete with recipes. This book ends with a note section(73 pages) from which one may continue to research the subject of the impact our food choices have.

My Thoughts

Most intriguing to me is the study of the brain, our thought processes and how we can change our brain structure  by changing our thought patterns.  This concept has been studied extensively and unfortunately not taught in our public school system.  In this book Dr Leaf shares how we may use the concept to learn a new outlook on choosing food and eating.  I am still applying what I learned for it is not a concept that changes over night.  This is not about a quick fix, but rather an invitation to shift our perspectives and begin making healthier food choices.

In Conclusion

Eat and Think Yourself Smart became one of my inspirations to move forward with a homesteading lifestyle and share the journey to inform others of ways that they might produce their own food.  It is a journey for me as I work to change my own thoughts toward food and put new habits in place when making food choices.

Read your own copy of Eat and Think Yourself Smart. Click on the picture to order your copy.

NOTE: This page or post contains affiliate links. When you click and make a purchase I earn a portion of the money you spend at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support.

Please take a moment to read our Disclosure Policy.

Choosing Garden Vegetables

When it comes to eating, we all like different foods.  What goes into a garden is much like planning menu for a week or month.  Choosing what we plant and how it develops may actually influence our food menus in coming months, based on what choices we have available.

We have many options when it comes to producing our own food, no matter if we live in town or city, suburbs, or way out in the country .  There are wonderful options for apartments, a city lot, 1, 5, 10, 20 acres or a large farm. Almost everyone has options when it comes to producing at least some of their own food if given the correct information.  Sometimes, a bit of creative ingenuity will be required. 

A financial investment up front is needed(there are ways to reduce the costs), in some cases more than others.  The end result lowers the grocery bill and may improve ones health reducing medical costs in the future.   Check out Dr Caroline Leaf’s book Eat and Think Yourself Smart for data links and informational ideas on how our diet effects our health.   I read this book a couple years ago and will be posting a review link in the future.  Click here.

Here are a few guidelines I consider as I decide which seeds I am planting this year

What and where is my available planting space

I have not worked up the ground here for a garden with the exception of where the garlic is planted.  I have plans for some ways to prepare the ground for a garden space, but until I do, I am going to use mostly container gardens.  I have been offered to share garden space by two of my neighbors.  I like my neighborhood!!  I am not sure yet, how much extra space that will give me. Renting or sharing garden space is definitely an option for those living in an area with little or no ground of their own.  In my case, I simply have not prepped the ground for lack of tools to make it easy and lack of energy to get it done the hard way.

What are my favorite foods

Peas, green beans, lettuce, both sweet and red potatoes, spinach, heritage and cherry tomatoes, different varieties of onions and lettuce, bell peppers of any color, squash

What vegetables do I desire to store for the next winter

Peas, green beans, sweet and red potatoes, onions, tomatoes (for ketchup and tomato Juice)

What tools will I be using I currently have

Tools I will be using include:

Cracked/broken buckets, shovel, small spade, cultivator, various sizes of plastic containers I have been washing and saving for seed starting,

What do I need to purchase and corresponding cost

I have a wish list of products I would like to try, but they are likely going to wait until next year.  Items I would like to purchase are:

  • a warming mat for seed starting   $15 – $90
  • a grow lamp/light(s) $ 20 – $170(+)
  • a small green house, possibly partly underground to utilize the earth’s heat  $80 – $10,000(+)
  • self propelled gas tiller  (Depending on model) $450 – $1,000(+)

We will be discussing the how and when to start a vegetable garden in future blog posts.

What vegetables do you desire to grow this year?


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