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- 🍞 Ultimate Bread Guide + 9 Things You Must Stop Avoiding
🍞 Ultimate Bread Guide + 9 Things You Must Stop Avoiding
Question of the day: What’s your current homesteading setup?
Cedie Omaña
May 22, 2025
In partnership with
NOTICE: Formerly known as The Steady Homestead, we’ve rebranded to The Homestead Movement! Same great content, just a fresh new name. 😊
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself."
— Franklin D. Roosevelt
HOMESTEAD TIP OF THE DAY
Instead of planting all your lettuce or beans at once, stagger your planting every 10–14 days. This way, you’ll avoid one overwhelming harvest and can enjoy a steady supply of fresh produce. It’s especially effective with fast-maturing crops like radishes, greens, and bush beans.
What’s your current homesteading setup? |
IN TODAY'S EDITION
Homestead Tip 🌱
Poll Results From Last Tuesday 📊
All Things Homestead: Bread Baking Basics Every Homesteader Should Know 🍞
Personal Development: Adulting on the Homestead: 9 Things to Do That You’ve Probably Put Off 🧺
Today's Top Picks 🛍️
Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣
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POLL RESULTS FROM LAST TUESDAY
What’s your favorite use for homemade vinegar?
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Cooking (dressings, marinades, etc.)
🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Natural cleaning
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Canning/pickling
🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ All of the above
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Haven’t tried homemade vinegar yet
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
Bread Baking Basics Every Homesteader Should Know 🍞
There’s something special about baking bread at home. But if you’ve ever felt confused by rising times or unsure what kind of flour to use, you’re not alone.
So, this is your no-fuss guide to baking a simple loaf from scratch.
Why Start with Bread?
Homemakers love baking bread because it’s simple, useful, and brings comfort to the kitchen. It saves money and fills the home with that warm, cozy smell that makes everything feel right.
If you’re working toward more self-sufficiency, bread is a great place to begin.
The 4 Ingredients You Actually Need
Bread doesn’t have to be complicated. Most loaves start with just four ingredients:
Flour – Use all-purpose or bread flour to start. Bread flour gives better rise.
Water – Lukewarm water helps activate the yeast. Cold slows it down, hot kills it.
Yeast – Dry active or instant both work. Check the expiration date before using.
Salt – This brings out flavor and helps control the rise.
That’s it. No need to buy extras until you’re ready.
What to Have on Hand
You don’t need a full pantry of baking tools. Just a few basics will do:
A large mixing bowl
A wooden spoon (or your hands)
Measuring cups and spoons
A clean towel or plastic wrap
A loaf pan or baking sheet
If you’ve ever made cookies or muffins, you already have what you need.
How to Make a Basic Loaf
Before you jump in, know this: exact measurements matter. The amount of flour or water can change depending on the recipe and how many loaves you're making. Use this guide as a general process, and do a little recipe research to get the measurements just right.
Mix – Combine flour, yeast, salt, and water in a large bowl. Stir until it forms a dough.
Knead – Turn dough onto a floured surface. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth.
Let it rise – Place dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1–2 hours.
Shape – Punch the dough down and shape it into a loaf. Put it in a greased pan or on a baking sheet.
Let it rise again – Let it rest another 30–60 minutes until puffy.
Bake – Bake at 375°F for about 30–35 minutes. The crust should be golden brown.
Cool – Let it cool before slicing so it doesn’t get gummy.
Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes
Bread doesn’t always turn out perfect at first. Here’s how to make sure it works better next time:
If it doesn’t rise, your yeast might be old or the room too cold.
If it’s too dense, try kneading longer or using warmer water.
If the crust is too hard, try baking at a lower temp or covering it with foil partway through.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Adulting on the Homestead: 9 Things to Do That You’ve Probably Put Off 🧺
Most of us don’t love thinking about paperwork, family health history, or emergency planning. But these quiet, behind-the-scenes tasks matter.
If something were to happen tomorrow, would your family know where to find your passwords or even who’s who in the old family photo box?
These tasks don’t look like much, but they help protect your people and preserve your history. And they help you sleep a little easier at night.
✔️ Things Every Homesteader Should Do (But Might Not Have Yet)
☐ Check in with an older family member
Ask them about their life, memories, and advice. They hold stories that could be lost if no one asks. Bring coffee, sit down, and let them talk.
☐ Create or update a will or testament
It’s not just for the elderly. If you’ve got kids, property, or savings, this protects the people you love. No one wants to sort through legal mess while grieving.
☐ Review your family’s health history
Patterns like heart issues, cancer, or autoimmune problems often run in families. Knowing early can help your doctor spot risks. Write it down and keep it handy.
☐ Write a letter to someone you love
It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just tell them what they mean to you. A future spouse, child, or sibling may treasure that one page forever. Gratitude is a legacy, too.
☐ Think about your digital legacy
Who gets access to your emails, online accounts, or homestead blog if something happens? Make a short list of what matters and assign someone to handle it.
☐ Write down important passwords and store them safely
Don’t just rely on memory. Use a password manager or write them down and lock them up. Emergencies are no time to be guessing login info.
☐ Go through old photos and label them
That baby photo from 1955? Your grandkids won’t know who it is unless you write it down. Take an hour each month and label photos, even digital ones.
☐ Set up an “In Case of Emergency” plan
Make a binder or folder with contacts, documents, medical info, and passwords. Keep it in one spot where someone can grab it fast if needed.
Why This Matters for Homemakers & Homesteaders
When you live a slower, more intentional lifestyle, it’s easy to think you have plenty of time for these things. But life gets busy… gardens need tending, kids need feeding, and we put it off.
These small steps aren’t just about “being responsible.” They help your family feel supported when life gets hard. They protect your legacy, your land, and your people.
Real Talk: What This Looks Like on the Ground
Homesteaders who live off-grid still need a plan for emergencies. What if your partner isn’t there when something happens?
Homemakers who run the household know where everything is… but does anyone else?
Grandparents passing down heirlooms or family recipes—have they been written down or shared?
If you’ve ever said, “I’ll get to that later,” this is your reminder to just start. One small step at a time.
Ready to Check Off Your First One?
Start with just one item this week. Maybe it’s asking Grandma about her favorite childhood meal.
You’ve got this. 🧡
THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER
Why did the plants start a group chat in May?
To sprout support and share sun tips.
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!
When you're a farmer and a parent, sometimes you’ve gotta make these kinds of compromises 😂
@raydillon3 “Farm kid life: When your hands are full, but the chores don’t wait! 😂🪣🐐 #FarmLife #FarmDad #CountryKids #HomesteadHumor #LifeWithBoys #Bu... See more
This is so me 😂
@hey.its.hod I get excited even to see the tiniest of sprouts 🙌🏼🌱 — #gardening #gardenhumor #vegetablegarden #homegarden
Yep, gardening fixes literally everything! 😄
@lanishacandice1 Just saying! Lol 😂 #balconygarden #gardening #funny
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