Real Thyme Roots

Becoming a Self-Sufficient Woman, an interview with Tracy McGee

Learn what it means to become a "Self-Sufficient" woman, with Tracy McGee, founder of the Self-Sufficient Woman's Summit.  In this interview, Tracy shares the struggles she experienced as a Christian woman coming to an understanding of self-reliance within the context of dependence on God and her community.  
Tracy McGee is a wife, mother, homesteader, herbalist and maker. She has been studying and practicing homesteading and natural living for nearly a decade but has been a self-sufficient woman for most of her life. 
Tracy is passionate about Biblical self-sufficiency and wants to help Christian women to find freedom from broken worldly systems so that they can be more self-sufficient through homesteading and natural living.
Tracy believes "You and I are the answer to so many of the broken systems of this world and it all starts inside the walls of our own homes with our husbands and our children. Together we will create a ripple effect that transforms our homes, our neighborhoods, our communities, and the world."
The Self-Sufficient Woman's summit takes place February 29 to March 2nd.  This 3 day event includes 20 experts in the fields of cooking, gardening, herbal medicine, organization, caring for children, and Kingdom living.  You can get your free ticket here. 
Enjoy!
 

Sprouts You Can Eat to Save Money and Increase Nutrition

For those brand new to growing food at home, sprouting can be an easy and satisfying way to add a little more nutrition to your salads and sandwiches in winter.  A sprinkle of super nutritious sprouts add crunch, flavor, and freshness to other dishes. 
Start a tablespoon of sprouting seed in a Mason jar, on the kitchen counter today and you'll have yummy, crunchy sprouts in just 4 days.  
Sprouting seeds are tested for pathogens and food born bacteria before they are packaged and sold, so there is no fear of getting sick from bad bugs on your sprouts, provided that you follow the best practices for growing them.
Join Chris and Sarah in this episode and get started on this gateway to food security and greater self reliance.
Some helpful links:
How to Grow Sprouts the Easy Way
Growing Radish Sprouts Is Fast and Easy Even if You Have a Black Thumb
How to Grow Broccoli Sprouts So They Aren’t Slimy
 
Learn how to grow sprouts, microgreens, and baby lettuce in my class "Fill Your Salad Bowl"
Learn more here
 
 
 

Justin Hines at Home

International Singer and Song writer, Justin Hines talks about moving across the country to put down roots in small town Western Canada.  Learn what "home" means to him and how his family is following him west, from Ontario in this conversation with Chris and Justin.  
 
Learn More about Justin and what he's up to here: 
https://www.youtube.com/@JustinHinesOrange/

Regrow Food From the Grocery Store

With rising inflation, food is becoming more expensive. Especially fresh produce, like lettuce, celery, green onions, and fresh herbs. These are all plants that you can buy from the grocery store, use and also re-grow to have a larger supply. In this episode Chris and Sarah walk you through the food that they have successfully regrown from grocery store trimmings and how to do this yourself at home.
Knowing this will help you save money and improve your long term food security.  
 
Tutorials to help you regrow from the grocery store:
https://joybileefarm.com/how-to-grow-green-onions/
https://joybileefarm.com/regrow-vegetables/ 
https://joybileefarm.com/meyer-lemon-tree/
 
Take the “Fill Your Salad Bowl” Mini Workshop and learn to grow delicious, super-food, salad greens in your kitchen year-round:
https://joybileefarm.com/fill-your-salad-bowl-mini-workshop/

Building Community Through Regenerative Agriculture

Soil health is a keystone to gardening and farming.  Amy Hay of Waikikahei Ranch joins Chris to talk about regenerative agriculture as a solution to the problems facing the world.  Grazing cattle through regenerative agriculture methods regenerates the soil, locks carbon and nutrients in the soil structure, restores the water cycle, and supports healthy, local food security.  Amy raises grass fed beef on their ranch in British Columbia and serves customers all over BC.  Her podcast "Respect the Beef" highlights the critical role that beef plays in the long term health of people and the environment.
"Respect the Beef" podcast: 
https://www.waikikahei.com/podcast-1
Waikikahei Ranch:
https://www.waikikahei.com
About Regenerative Agriculture:
https://www.waikikahei.com/regenag

Using Hospitality to Build Community Where You Live

Hospitality is from the same root word as Hospital and reminds us how healing it is to eat together and talk together.  If you’ve been out of the habit of getting together this episode will help.  Chris and Sarah talk about practical ways to re-engage with other people and how to break away from the hindrances that keep you from inviting friends over.
5 Minutes a day Bread!
https://joybileefarm.com/lesson-3-multi-grain-artisan-bread-minutes-day/
(It can even be turned into donuts!)
https://joybileefarm.com/jelly-doughnut/ 
Homemade Soup
https://joybileefarm.com/grandmas-chicken-soup/
Join the Herb of the Month Club:
https://thediyherbal.com/this-is-your-time/

Hygge in Winter

Hygge is a characteristic of Danish culture that is embraced by many Northern European countries.  The New Yorker describes it as “A quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being”  In this week’s episode Chris and Sarah talk about practical and inexpensive ways to bring this quality of cosy-comfort into your home this winter.
DIY Woven Ornaments:
https://joybileefarm.com/woven-heart-ornaments/ 
DIY Teacup Candles:
https://joybileefarm.com/diy-teacup-candles/ 
Tea bag Shortbread Cookies:
https://joybileefarm.com/tea-bag-shortbread-cookies/
Easy Beeswax Candles Even Kids Can Make:
https://joybileefarm.com/rolled-beeswax-candles/
Join the Herb of the Month Club:
https://thediyherbal.com/this-is-your-time/

Location, Location, Location

In this week’s episode Chris and Sarah discuss the importance of where you live and how it influences the strength of the roots you are able to grow.  We pay specific attention to practical ways you can strengthen your roots within a community.
Family Books to Read Aloud:
https://joybileefarm.com/reading-aloud-raise-writer/ 
More Great Books to Read Aloud:
https://joybileefarm.com/reading-aloud/
Take the “Fill Your Salad Bowl” Mini Workshop:
https://joybilee.thrivecart.com/salad-bowl-gardening-mini-workshop/
 

How to Come Home

With the new year in full swing, its a time to review our values and what’s important in life.  Chris and Sarah look at the meaning of “home” and what it means in a time of change.  Can we improve it? How to come “home”.
Hygge How To's:
https://joybileefarm.com/diy-teacup-candles/ 
https://joybileefarm.com/woven-heart-ornaments/
Join the Herb of the Month Club:
https://thediyherbal.com/this-is-your-time/
 

Garden Gnomes, Nisse, and Tantum

Garden gnomes are the number 1 trend in gardening in 2022, up from 5th position the year before.  But what do these ornaments have to do with the holiday season?  It turns out that in the Scandinavian countries gnomes are more prominent than Old St. Nic.  So much so that the Queen of Sweden brings an annual offering of porridge to the Castle Gnome to ensure good luck in the coming year.  In this episode Sarah and Chris take a look at this wee-folk tradition and its holiday story, including its association with the freedom movement.
Books to read aloud with your family:
https://joybileefarm.com/reading-aloud/