Welcome

Welcome to Homestead and Chill, your hub for information and inspiration on all things plant-centric, nourishing, sustainable, and feel-good! Here you can learn about everything from organic gardening and kombucha, to backyard chickens and seasonal plant-based meals. It is so good to see you here!

No land? No problem. Just how “Netflix and Chill” is open to some…erhhhm, interpretation… so is Homestead and Chill. It can be a deep-rooted lifestyle, or just a weekend fling. Maybe you have acres of property and dream of raising 100% of your own food. Or, you might live in an apartment but still want to get a little taste of modern homesteading life; I promise I have some tips in store for you too! Maybe like me, you’re simply a certified crazy plant lady(man), always on the prowl to add more green into your life. This is not your traditional homesteading site, if you haven’t gathered that already.

Homestead and Chill is whatever you want it to be. I like to think of it as a state of mind: An interest in a simpler life. A stronger connection with, and respect for, your food and where it is sourced. A deeper appreciation for the role of plants in personal and ecological wellness. An effort to get outside, take a deep breath, slow down, and connect with nature. A heightened consideration for what you put on and in your body, and your home. This is a place where all people can come together in that shared interest.
 

On the “Homestead” front:

We will focus on whole-homestead wellness. Planting a garden shouldn’t only be about providing nutritious organic foods for your family to eat. That is certainly a key component and huge motivator! Yet we will also explore ideas and practices to encourage additional benefits to native wildlife, the environment, and you ~ inside and out!

While it is easy to focus on what your yard can do for you, we believe it is also important to focus on what your yard can do for the greater good. This can be your most direct impact on our future, by showing children, neighbors, and friends what is possible beyond the norm. If you’re willing and able, together we can create a mini ecosystem ~ one that is all connected. From garden to table, to compost, back to the garden, into food again. This can all be done organically with the help of beneficial insects, pollinators, and other inhabitants that we welcome into our lives.

On the “Chill” front:

I think it is equally important to work hard to create garden spaces, grow food, and make use of it in the kitchen, but also to sit back and enjoy it. There is no denying the therapeutic, relaxing, grounding effects that come from getting your hands dirty, being outside, living with house plants, and filling your belly with meals made from scratch with organic and local plant-based ingredients. On our homestead, we have created a sanctuary for wildlife, monarchs, pollinators, and also for ourselves. It is a place of both utility and tranquility. Most times, there is absolutely no where we would rather be! We enjoy the “work” we have to do in order to keep up with things around here; it is all about how you view and go about it.

No matter your background or living situation, I hope you too can make your home a sanctuary – where you can work, play, and relax – maybe even all at the same time! A place you can spend your weekends working on something healthy and productive, and then kick back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Unwind with some tea, wine, green, whatever it is you prefer. Then feed yourself a healthy homemade (maybe even homegrown!) meal, turn on some good-vibes music, and chill.

Speaking of music, you might be wondering why there is a “music” tab on this site. It is because here at Homestead and Chill, we are firm believers that everything in life is better with music! Especially when you’re out working in the yard, cooking it up in the kitchen, or just sitting back and enjoying your space, reflecting on what you’re grateful for. Music has always been a huge part of my life, and I thoroughly enjoy incorporating it into anything I can, including sharing it with you here.  

I hope you find find this site helpful, welcoming, and encouraging. More posts are added every week, so please subscribe and check back to follow along! Thank you for being here!

If you would like to read more about the author, click here. Or if you would like to read more about our little homestead, you can do so here. Don’t have your own garden space yet, but are so ready to get started? You may like this: “How to Start a Garden: 101”.

Now let’s get to work on sharing, learning, and creating ~ so you too can Homestead and Chill!