Olive oil that is of the highest quality, least processed, and extracted from fresh, whole olives simply by using mechanical or “cold pressing” (without heat or chemicals) is called extra virgin olive oil. Many soap makers will use what is called pomace olive oil to make soap. Pomace olive oil is produced by taking what is left over after naturally pressing the olives and extracting it using chemicals (especially hexane) and heat.

A few weeks ago my research suggested that even organic pomace olive oil can be extracted with hexane, but I can’t find that article anymore, so I can’t say for sure. Soap makers love pomace olive oil because it saponifies (produces soap) much easier and faster. Kailey and I figured out how to get the extra virgin olive to saponify, but it does take more time.

Continue reading “Hexane in Your Soap?” →

By switching to einkorn sourdough bread, our bread went from being something that caused allergy symptoms in our family, and made me physically sick, to one of the most gut healing foods I now eat. Learn more here about why we make sourdough bread and the benefits of einkorn flour. The recipe I have below makes 4 loaves of bread. I use about a cup of levain to make a recipe that contains about 4 to 6 cups of flour. I will often make 2 loaves of bread (requires 2 cups of levain), cereal, and something else like cinnamon rolls or tortillas in one day.

Continue reading “Einkorn Sourdough Bread Recipe” →

We live in a society that is constantly telling us what we should think, eat, build, learn, wear, possess, and how to treat and entrain ourselves. It’s presented in such a way that if a person doesn’t conform to these “rules” they are shamed and confronted with fear. We have been indoctrinated in such a way to believe that there’s only one way to do things. After we got saved, we started thinking for ourselves and doing things outside the box. Rather than doing something just because it’s expected, or whatever everyone else is doing, we pray, count the cost, and do what makes the most sense.

Continue reading “Have More Fun and Think Outside the Box” →

Continue reading “Age Slower” →

A few years ago, we asked our older kids what some of their best memories of their childhood were. I expected them to say a vacation or a place we went, but they surprised us by saying that some of their best memories happened when we were gathered around the dinner table. I heard a statistic recently that eating at least one meal together as a family brings order to the house, and that those children are less likely to engage in drugs and alcohol and have less struggles with obesity. What a great reminder that was.

Continue reading “The Benefits of Family Meal Time” →

I had planned to share a post last week with different information, but I wasn’t able to focus due to a very painful infection. I could feel it coming on at the beginning of last week, and I was foolish and kept going as normal. I also let myself get really stressed out about some silly tax forms. What I learned from this experience was that it’s important to rest, start on natural treatments right away, and rather than stressing, I should have just hired those tax forms done from the beginning and made a little more soap or preserved a little more food to make up the difference.

Continue reading “Another Lesson Learned the Hard Way” →

Our family made up this game a few years ago to play at our Christmas. We had so much fun that we have played it several times with other families that we had over to our farm. Everyone has said they really enjoyed playing it and one family even went home and made up their own version of it. It’s great for building relationships, getting to know other people, and the laughter it brings is good for all of us. We especially love playing it on the holidays. The fact that all ages can participate is the best part. So often you find the men visiting in one area, the women in another, and kids off playing and possibly causing trouble. This game brings everyone together! Let’s encourage family togetherness.

Continue reading “A Fun, Clean, Large Family/Group Game” →

Continue reading “Expanding and Farm Humor” →

The holidays are quickly approaching and many people wait until they are over and the new year is upon them to set goals and make changes in their health. Did you know that less than 10 percent of people actually accomplish the goals they set during that time. If there’s something you want to change or accomplish, I encourage you to start today.

Continue reading “What Are You Waiting For?” →

Continue reading “Unassisted Fearless Natural Homebirth Story” →