🔥 Composting Myths Busted + A New Kind of Sunday Reset

IN TODAY'S EDITION

1. Homestead Tip 🌱

2. Poll Results From Last Thursday 📊

3. All Things Homestead: Composting Made Simple 🌱

4. Personal Development: Simple Sunday Reset 🌿

5. Today's Top Picks 🛍️

6. Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Still Using Toxic Cleaners and Calling It “Clean”?

I used to get a headache every time I cleaned. I'd spray the "green" stuff, hold my breath, and hope it was safer than the rest. But deep down, I knew I was trading one toxin for another.

So I started making my own cleaners. Just simple ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, lemon. And suddenly, my house felt fresh and safe. No harsh smells. No cracked hands. Just clean, the way it should be.

Now I'm teaching you how to do the same in April’s All-Natural Spring Cleaning Challenge.

You’ll learn:

• How to make non-toxic sprays, scrubs & deodorizers

• What to toss from your cleaning shelf today

• A full, simple system for a fresher, healthier home

No overwhelm. No weird ingredients. Just the know-how and confidence to detox your home naturally.

Join hundreds of women inside the Homestead Hub and get access to:

1. Step-by-step guides

2. Bonus mini challenges

3. Supportive community

4. Lifetime access when paid in full

And yes, January, February, and March’s challenges are still available anytime you’re ready.

Your home deserves better than “clean enough.” Let’s make it truly clean together. 💛

POLL RESULTS FROM LAST THURSDAY

Are you managing any animal births this spring?

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Yes, it’s a busy season!

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ We’ve had a few already

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Preparing for some soon

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Not this year, maybe next

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 I don’t raise breeding animals

via @beehiiv polls

Feel free to participate in fun polls in our next newsletters! 😉

Also, follow us on our social media accounts for daily homesteading inspiration and updates.

ALL THINGS HOMESTEAD

Composting Made Simple 🌱

Spring brings the urge to grow. But before you plant anything, your soil needs something back from you. Composting is one of the easiest, most budget-friendly ways to turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into gold for your garden.

The problem? Many beginners overthink it, or worse… they give up because it seems confusing or smelly. If you’ve ever wondered what goes where, or how to get started without the mess, this guide is for you. Let’s break it down step by step.

Beginner Composting Tips That Actually Work

1. Start small and build confidence.
Don’t buy a fancy bin right away. A simple pile or repurposed bin works just fine while you learn.

2. Pick a spot close to your kitchen.
Make it easy to reach so you’re more likely to use it daily. A shady corner near your back door works well.

3. Use a kitchen pail or sealed bucket.
Collect your scraps throughout the day. Empty it into your outdoor compost once full, so it doesn’t get smelly.

4. Know your “greens” and “browns.”
Greens are moist things like food scraps and coffee grounds. Browns are dry items like leaves, cardboard, or straw. You’ll need a mix of both.

5. Keep your ratio balanced.
Use roughly 2 parts brown to 1 part green. If your compost smells sour, add more browns. If it’s too dry, add greens or a little water.

6. Avoid these no-no’s.
Skip meat, dairy, oils, and pet waste. These attract pests and slow the breakdown.

7. Chop it smaller when possible.
Smaller bits decompose faster. Tear up paper. Chop veggie scraps. Break sticks.

8. Turn it weekly for airflow.
Use a garden fork or shovel. Oxygen speeds up decomposition and keeps things from getting slimy.

9. Watch the moisture level.
Compost should feel like a wrung-out sponge. If it’s soggy, stir in cardboard or dry leaves. If it’s too dry, mist with water.

10. Be patient.
Compost takes time. Depending on temperature and how often you turn it, you’ll have black gold in 2–6 months.

11. Use a compost thermometer.
Not required, but helpful. Temps above 130°F mean your pile is active and working well.

12. Add eggshells for calcium.
Rinse and crush them first. They add nutrients and help reduce soil acidity.

13. Use cardboard and newspaper wisely.
Only compost non-glossy paper with no colored ink. Shred it for quicker breakdown.

14. Watch out for weeds or diseased plants.
Unless your pile gets really hot, those might not fully break down and can spread back into your garden.

15. Don’t overcomplicate it.
Nature knows how to break things down. As long as you give it a balance of greens, browns, air, and moisture… you’re on the right path.

Common Mistakes (and Easy Fixes)

• If your pile smells rotten – Add more browns and mix it well.

• If it’s dry and not breaking down – Add more greens or lightly water.

• If there are bugs everywhere – Make sure food scraps are buried and cover them with browns.

Quick Composting Checklist

1. Add kitchen scraps (no meat or dairy)

2. Cover food with leaves, paper, or straw

3. Stir the pile weekly

4. Keep it damp, not soaked

5. Harvest when dark and crumbly

Happy composting, friends. And remember: dirt under your nails is a good sign you’re doing it right.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Simple Sunday Reset 🌿

Most homemakers feel the weight of the week before Monday even begins. The to-do list grows. The house feels messy. Meals need prepping. And somehow, you’re supposed to feel “rested” by the end of Sunday?

And honestly, when Sunday feels scattered, the whole week can follow suit. But there’s another way. You can do a Sunday reset routine!

Use this list to help shape a routine that works for you, not the other way around.

A Gentle Sunday Reset Routine (with Practical Ideas)

Reset Your Space

• Tidy the common areas. Clear surfaces and reset rooms where your family gathers. This might be your kitchen, mudroom, or dining table. Don’t aim for spotless, just reset.

• Do one load of laundry. Start the week with clean dish towels, socks, or church clothes. One small load makes a big dent.

• Empty the trash. Walk through the house with a trash bag and empty all bins. It's an easy win that brings instant freshness.

Reset Your Mind

• Do a brain dump. Write down everything circling in your head. Appointments, ideas, meal plans, to-dos. Get it all on paper. Then, sort it later.

• Set three weekly intentions. Choose three simple goals that guide your week. These could be: “Be present at dinner,” “Stick to the grocery list,” or “Finish reading one chapter.”

• Read something nourishing. Choose something that fills your cup. It could be a short devotional, a few pages of a slow-living book, or even a blog post you saved.

Reset the Kitchen

• Clean out the fridge. Toss expired food and wipe shelves. This helps make room for the new week’s meals and saves you time hunting for ingredients.

• Prep breakfast items. Boil eggs, mix muffin batter, or chop fruit. Just one thing to make mornings easier is enough.

• Plan your meals. Look ahead at your schedule, check what you already have, and jot down meals that work with your week, not against it.

Reset Your Body

• Drink a tall glass of water. Before the coffee or tea, hydrate. It tells your body, “We’re starting fresh.”

• Stretch or move gently. No need for a workout. Just stretch your arms, go for a slow walk, or do 10 minutes of breathing.

• Soak your feet or take a warm bath. Add Epsom salts or a few drops of lavender oil. This helps release tension and signals your body it’s safe to slow down.

Reset Your Soul

• Unplug for one hour. Turn off the screens. Light a candle. Just be.

• Spend time outdoors. Even 15 minutes in the sun or garden helps clear your head and reset your nervous system.

• Journal a few lines. Try this prompt: What do I need more of this week? What do I need less of?

🧾 Checklist

Here’s a reset checklist you can tweak each week:

▢ Tidy one main room
▢Toss fridge leftovers
▢ Write a grocery list
▢ Start one load of laundry
▢ Dump out brain clutter
▢ Pick 3 weekly intentions
▢ Stretch for 10 minutes
▢ Drink 1 full glass of water
▢ Light a candle and unplug

You don’t need to do every task on this list. Just pick the ones that bring you peace. Some weeks, that might mean cleaning the kitchen. Other weeks, it might mean sitting on the porch with a warm drink and watching the sun go down.

THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER

Why did the farmer put on sunglasses in the greenhouse?

Because the lettuce was too cool to handle.

TODAY'S TOP PICKS

LET’S KEEP IT REEL!

I've put together some fantastic farm videos that are sure to make you laugh. Take a look and enjoy the fun!

1. What I feel like inside when someone takes a bite of my baking:

@_roxy_sam_

Just tell me!! #fyp #baking #bakingtiktok #tellme #cheflife #MemeCut #CapCut #MemeCut #Meme #MemeCut

2. When they say singing helps your plants grow, and you're totally down to start your concert. 😂

@plantmeinthedirt

The “Ow” always gets me 😂😂#MemeCut #MemeCut #MemeCut #Meme #MemeCut #plants #plantsoftiktok #houseplants #plantmom #planttok #plantparents

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