Sustainability Book Chat

Got a question? 🤔 
Head over to --  https://thriftyhomesteader.com/making-sauerkraut/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 
Description
Did you know that sauerkraut can do more than just top your hot dog? In this episode, fermentation expert Holly Howe joins us to share how this simple fermented food can transform your gut health and bring your meals to life. Holly is the founder of MakeSauerkraut.com and the author of a comprehensive guide to making sauerkraut and kimchi right in your own kitchen.
We talk about:
The difference between pickling and fermenting
How Holly got started with fermentation after discovering Nourishing Traditions
Why salt (and the right amount of it) is key to successful fermentation
Common mistakes beginners make and how to avoid them
How to eat sauerkraut daily—and why you might want to
Why fermented food is safe, and how to handle mold
The 10K Jar Challenge and how you can participate!
Whether you're curious about sauerkraut and kimchi, looking to support your digestion naturally, or just want to preserve your garden harvest, this episode will give you the confidence to get started.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, which help keep the lights on here at Thrifty Homesteader so we can continue to provide hundreds of free articles.
Featured Book
Mouthwatering Sauerkraut Fermentation Made Easy!
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Bookshop
Other Resources Mentioned
Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon Buy on Amazon
Buy on Bookshop

Wild Fermentation by Sandor Katz Buy on Amazon
Buy on Bookshop

10K Jar Challenge

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Got a question? 🤔 
Head over to --  https://thriftyhomesteader.com/preserving-vegetables/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 
Description
In this episode, Deborah Niemann is joined by author, blogger, and homesteader Angi Schneider to talk about the many ways you can preserve your garden bounty—without wasting money or time. 
Angi shares practical tips from her book, The Ultimate Guide to Preserving Vegetables, covering everything from equipment basics to smart preservation strategies that help avoid common pitfalls.
Whether you grow your own produce, buy in bulk at the farmer’s market, or barter with neighbors, this episode will help you make the most of every harvest without overdoing it.
What You’ll Learn
Why pickling opens up canning possibilities without pressure canners
Which vegetables ferment best—and the simple tools that make it easy
Creative ways to preserve potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, and herbs
How to avoid wasting time and money on food your family won’t eat
The importance of following science-based safety guidelines in preservation
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, which help keep the lights on here at Thrifty Homesteader so we can continue to provide hundreds of free articles.
Angi Schneider's Books
The Ultimate Guide to Preserving VegetablesBuy on Amazon
Buy on Bookshop

Pressure Canning for Beginners and BeyondBuy on Amazon
Buy on Bookshop

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Buy us a coffee! Your support helps keep the conversations going.
And if you found this episode helpful, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with your sustainability-minded friends. Every little bit helps us grow!

Got a question or thought to share? 🤔💬 
Head over to the blog post -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/family-farms/ -- and drop it in the comments—we’d love to hear what you think and we’ll be sure to reply! 
Description
In this episode Deborah Niemann is joined by Brian Reisinger, journalist and author of Land Rich, Cash Poor, to talk about a subject close to both their hearts: the alarming disappearance of family farms in the United States.
Brian grew up on a multi-generational Wisconsin farm and brings a unique perspective as both a writer and someone with deep roots in agriculture. Drawing from his family’s story and extensive research, Brian explains the historical, economic, political, and technological forces that have shaped—and in many cases, harmed—family farming for over a century.
What You’ll Learn:
Why family farms have been disappearing for over 100 years
The ripple effect of labor, policy, and market changes on farm viability
The critical role of government research and how its decline hurts innovation
Why private companies should care about saving small farms, too
What we can do to protect the 2 million farms still standing today
📘 Featured Book
Land Rich, Cash Poor by Brian ReisingerBuy on Amazon
Buy on Bookshop

Love This Episode?
Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your sustainability-minded friends. 
Find all episodes and transcripts at:
🔗 thriftyhomesteader.com/bookchat
💜 Love what you hear?

Buy us a coffee! Your support helps keep the conversations going.
And if you found this episode helpful, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with your sustainability-minded friends. Every little bit helps us grow!

Got a question or thought to share? 🤔💬 
Head over to the blog post -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/building-a-pantry-from-scratch/ -- and drop it in the comments—we’d love to hear what you think and we’ll be sure to reply! 
Description 
In this episode, Deborah Niemann welcomes Kris Bordessa, author of Attainable Sustainable and the new follow-up, Attainable Sustainable Pantry. Kris shares her inspiration behind writing a book focused entirely on pantry staples and kitchen self-reliance, especially after the overwhelming response to her first book. 
Whether you’re a complete beginner or already comfortable in the kitchen, this conversation is packed with practical tips, money-saving ideas, and sustainability-minded advice for taking control of your food.
What You’ll Learn
Why Kris’s second book is a deep dive into pantry-focused self-reliance
How to replace boxed foods like pancake mix and instant oatmeal with homemade versions
What to do when you run out of ingredients like brown sugar or oat flour
Kitchen tools that make homemade cooking more accessible (hint: stand mixer wins!)
Tips for using up food instead of throwing it away (like turning failed bread into croutons)
Easy ways to start preserving food without a pressure canner, including:
Quick pickling
Dehydrating
Freezing in oil
Unexpected DIY recipes like crystallized ginger, red wine vinegar, and garlic powder
Kris’s favorite pantry snack: homemade cheese crackers (goodbye, Cheez-Its!)
Why this book is especially timely for anyone struggling with rising grocery costs
Resources Mentioned
📘 Attainable Sustainable Pantry by Kris BordessaBuy on Amazon
Buy on Bookshop

📘 Attainable Sustainable: The Lost Art of Self-Reliant LivingBuy on Amazon
Buy on Bookshop

🧂 National Center for Home Food Preservation (used for vetting preservation recipes)
Connect with Kris Bordessa
🌐 Website: attainablesustainable.net
📱 Social: @AttainableSustainable on Facebook, Instagram, and more
Love This Episode?
Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your sustainability-minded friends. Find all episodes and transcripts at:
🔗 thriftyhomesteader.com/bookchat

💜 Love what you hear?

Buy us a coffee! Your support helps keep the conversations going.
And if you found this episode helpful, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with your sustainability-minded friends. Every little bit helps us grow!

Whether you're a chicken keeper or someone who simply gets annoyed when reading children's books that are filled with misinformation about animals, Diane Sorenson's, The Tales of Mr. Ken Rooster and the Six Sassy Hens, is a fun little gem that's sure to delight young children, as well as the adults reading the book to them.
The book includes short stories about the seven chickens in the author's backyard, and many of the stories, such as the ones about the fox and the raccoon, are based on true events.

In today's episode, we are talking to Diane about her chicken-keeping journey and her inspiration for the book.

Full show notes here --  https://thriftyhomesteader.com/backyard-chickens-in-childrens-book/

To see the most recent episodes, visit  ThriftyHomesteader.com/BookChat

💜 Love what you hear?

Buy us a coffee! Your support helps keep the conversations going.
And if you found this episode helpful, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with your sustainability-minded friends. Every little bit helps us grow!