🍵 The Natural UTI Fix You Need + What Saved My Love for Homemaking

IN TODAY'S EDITION

1. Homestead Tip 🌱

2. Poll Results From Last Tuesday 📊

3. All Things Homestead: Natural Remedies for UTIs — Homesteader’s Guide to Bladder Health 🍵

4. Personal Development: The Science of Homemaking Happiness 🏡

5. Today's Top Picks 🛍️

6. Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣

POLL RESULTS FROM LAST TUESDAY

How do you organize your seeds?

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ By plant type (vegetables, herbs, etc.)

🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️ By planting season (early vs. late)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ By alphabetical order

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 I don’t organize them. I just grab and go

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

Natural Remedies for UTIs: Homesteader’s Guide to Bladder Health 🍵

If you’ve ever had a urinary tract infection (UTI), you know the misery: burning, constant bathroom trips, and that awful feeling that something just isn’t right. Homesteaders don’t have time to be sidelined by a UTI when there are animals to feed, gardens to tend, and a house to keep running. Instead of rushing to the pharmacy, let’s talk about natural remedies that can help ease discomfort and support bladder health.

1. Drink More Water (Yes, Even If You Don’t Feel Like It)

When a UTI strikes, the first thing to do is up your water intake. It might seem too simple to work, but staying hydrated helps flush bacteria out of your system before things get worse.

• Aim for 8-10 glasses of water a day to keep your bladder clear.

• If plain water feels boring, add a squeeze of lemon or a splash of apple cider vinegar for an extra health boost.

• Herbal teas like chamomile or dandelion root can also help by acting as gentle diuretics.

2. Load Up on Cranberries (But Skip the Sugary Juice)

Cranberries have long been praised for their ability to fight UTIs. They contain compounds that prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder walls, making it harder for infections to take hold.

• Instead of sugary cranberry juice, go for unsweetened cranberry juice or cranberry extract capsules.

• Dried cranberries can also help, but make sure they don’t have added sugar.

• If you grow your own cranberries or have access to fresh ones, blend them into smoothies for a natural way to get their benefits.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar: A Homesteader’s Secret Weapon

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a powerhouse in the homestead kitchen, and it turns out it’s good for bladder health too. It has antibacterial properties that may help prevent infections from worsening.

• Mix 1-2 tablespoons of raw, unfiltered ACV in a glass of water and drink it twice a day.

• If the taste is too strong, add a bit of honey.

• You can also add ACV to salad dressings or mix it into herbal teas for an easy way to get more in your diet.

Pro Tip: Just don’t go overboard because too much ACV can upset your stomach.

4. Eat More Garlic (Nature’s Antibiotic)

Garlic is a natural antibacterial that may help fight UTIs. If you grow garlic on your homestead, you already have a powerful remedy right at your fingertips.

• Crush 1-2 cloves of fresh garlic and let it sit for a few minutes to activate its healing properties.

• Add raw garlic to homemade salad dressings, soups, or herbal butters.

• If the taste is too strong, garlic supplements are an option.

5. Herbal Helpers: Dandelion, Parsley, and Uva Ursi

Certain herbs can help cleanse the bladder and keep UTIs from getting worse. If you have a homestead herb garden, you might already be growing some of these.

• Dandelion tea acts as a gentle diuretic, helping to flush out bacteria. Pick fresh dandelion leaves and steep them in hot water.

• Parsley tea is another great option. It reduces inflammation and encourages urination.

• Uva ursi (also called bearberry) has been used for centuries to treat UTIs, but it should only be taken in small amounts and for short periods.

6. Probiotics: Keep the Good Bacteria Happy

A healthy gut leads to a healthy bladder. Probiotics help maintain the balance of good bacteria, preventing harmful bacteria from taking over.

• Eat fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, or sauerkraut to boost good bacteria.

• Consider probiotic supplements if you struggle with frequent UTIs.

• If you make your own kombucha or ferment veggies at home, you already have a great source of probiotics!

Activity: Try One Natural Remedy This Week

Instead of waiting for a UTI to hit, be proactive! Pick one of these remedies and start adding it to your routine. Here are some ideas:

• Drink one extra glass of water every day.

• Swap your morning coffee for herbal tea like dandelion or parsley tea.

• Add a spoonful of apple cider vinegar to your water.

• Include fermented foods in your meals to boost probiotics.

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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Science of Homemaking Happiness 🏡

If homemaking feels more like a burden than a blessing, try these strategies to shift your perspective and bring a little more joy into your daily routine.

1. Set the Tone with a Morning Routine

Mornings can make or break the day. Starting with a solid routine helps set a positive tone and keeps the day from feeling chaotic.

• Wake up a little earlier than everyone else to enjoy a quiet moment with coffee or tea.

• Write down a few things to be grateful for before tackling the to-do list.

• Do one small thing to set the day up for success—maybe making the bed or tidying the kitchen before breakfast.

2. Make a List (But Keep It Realistic)

• Focus on three priority tasks each day instead of trying to do everything at once.

• Group similar chores together—clean all the bathrooms at once or prep multiple meals at the same time.

• Cross things off as you go! That little feeling of accomplishment can be a great motivator.

3. Turn On Some Music (or a Podcast)

Silence makes chores drag on, but music or an engaging podcast can make a big difference.

• Play upbeat music while scrubbing the kitchen—it makes the work feel lighter.

• Listen to an audiobook or podcast while folding laundry to make the task less tedious.

• Try nature sounds or instrumental music if too much noise feels distracting.

4. Change Your Perspective on "Chores"

Instead of seeing homemaking as a duty, try thinking of it as a way to create a comfortable, welcoming space.

• Cooking isn’t just making food—it’s nourishing loved ones.

• Cleaning isn’t just wiping things down—it’s caring for the home.

• Laundry isn’t just washing clothes—it’s providing warmth and comfort.

Viewing homemaking as a craft rather than a list of tasks can help bring more satisfaction to the work.

5. Make Your Home Work for You

• Keep the most-used kitchen tools in easy reach to speed up meal prep.

• Use baskets in main areas for quick tidying when life gets busy.

• Set up routines for kids or partners to help lighten the load.

6. Embrace Imperfection

• Accept that there will always be something to clean or fix.

• Focus on progress, not perfection—small improvements add up over time.

• Let go of guilt when things don’t get done.

7. Involve the Family (and Teach Life Skills Along the Way)

• Have kids help with simple tasks like setting the table or feeding animals.

• Assign age-appropriate chores so everyone contributes.

• Turn housework into a team effort by working together on big tasks.

When homemaking is shared, it becomes less of a job and more of a way to build a strong, connected family.

THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER

What did the compost pile say to the farmer?

"You complete me—rot or not!"

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. When you thought basil was just a low-maintenance, easygoing plant… 😅🌿

@_yukey_

What have I done. #plantsoftiktok #planttok #basil #indoorplants #indoorgarden #herbs #plants #basil✨ #seeds #gardening #trend #devileyes ... See more

2. If there were an award for "Best Homesteader Husband," this guy would totally win!

@eggsandbunnies

Had to do this trend 😂😂😂 #hobbyfarm #farm #farmanimals #farmlife #pets #homestead #homesteading #husband #wife #funny #laugh #jokes #chick... See more

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