Fast Five – Edition No. 2
This post is the second in a series designed to provide you with easy-to-digest resources as you expand your knowledge on topics related to healthy living and stewardship.
Each of the five topics includes a link for learning more, along with short description of the resource and/or an action point to apply the learning. Feel free to tag Erica in your Instagram stories if you find value in the information or decide to follow through on any of the action points!
- Podcast Recommendation – Level up your skills as a homemaker
Homemaker Chic is one of my all-time favorite podcasts, and I think you will really enjoy it as well! The co-hosts, Angela Reed of Parisienne Farmgirl and Shaye Elliott of The Elliott Homestead, are both working moms, homesteaders, home cooks, homeschoolers, and homemakers.
Regardless of where you personally fall on that spectrum of interests, I guarantee you will hear something of value from their weekly episodes. Tune in to hear their words of encouragement and inspiration by clicking here to listen to the podcast. (Photo from linked website.)
- Awesome Seed Company – Heirloom, Michigan-grown, organic seeds that are collected and packaged by hand
If you are a gardener, have you ever stopped to consider where or how your garden seeds are grown, harvested, and packaged? Can you stand behind what the company represents as a whole, not just a product line marketed to be “eco-friendly?” While we are certainly not always able to find companies that check all our boxes, this one definitely gets our full recommendation!
This is our second year ordering seeds from Garden Hoard. We are always impressed with the honesty, transparency, attention to detail, and helpful how-to guides sent with every order we have received. If you have not ordered your seeds yet, we highly recommend you check out Garden Hoard!
Don’t forget to tag Erica in your Instagram stories of you happen to grab some of their awesome seed packets!
- Ethical Clothing – Invest in better quality, forever-in-fashion clothing
Cheap quality. Disposable. Fast fashion. Unfortunately, these terms seem to fit most of the garments sold here in the US. Outside of price, there is rarely ever a benefit to purchasing this type of clothing. Someone or something always pays the price, whether that means unhealthy working conditions for the makers, negative environmental impact from the materials used, or even simply increased household waste from garments not lasting.
Enter: Fair Indigo! Fair Indigo is an amazing company whose clothing I have been purchasing and wearing for many years now. Their mission is: “To build clothing that’s timeless, of impeccable quality, and sustainably made. Sustainable not only for the planet, but for the human beings involved in your clothing’s journey from the cotton farms to your closet.” (Quotation and photo from linked website.)
I invite you to join me in investing in a mindful wardrobe with timeless pieces that are built to last! Buy better, not more!
- Scripture Listening App – Increase your time spent in God’s Word
If you enjoy listening to the Bible, this app is for you! My friend recommended the app Dwell to me a year or so ago, and I am so glad she did. This app has changed the way I listen to the Bible. It makes it truly effortless!
Some things that set this app apart from other resources I have used include: background music that is not distracting, but rather, complements the reading; a scripture-only approach (no commentaries added); multiple versions of the Bible, each with multiple voices reading those versions; and the option to read along while listening. Click here to see if Dwell is the right fit for you!
(Note: You can also use Dwell free for 7 days if you want to try before you buy.)
- Vote with Your Fork – Use Cornucopia’s food Scorecards to “vote with your fork” and support the best sources of organic food
If you are like me, there are times where it can be overwhelming to sort through all the marketing, industry terminology, and other unclear information that can circulate around sourcing healthy foods. This is where a resource like The Cornucopia Institute is truly invaluable!
The Cornucopia Institute publishes their research-based findings to help families learn more about ethical food systems. Their Scorecards are an excellent way to easily search for the highest quality brands you can afford. As of the time of publishing this post, they have scorecards for organic eggs, dairy, beef, poultry, yogurt, plant-based beverages, snack bars, cottage cheese, cereal, soy food, grain, and toothpaste. Become well educated on this subject, and check out their resources today!
Lifelong learning is a big part of this blog, and more specifically, lifelong learning about healthy living and stewardship. If you are feeling a nudge to learn more about any of these topics, we encourage you to lean into it! With this, if you come across any other helpful resources, don’t forget to share with our community in the comment section at the bottom of the post!
Yours truly,
Erica Barlow
Our Favorite Books for Homesteading and Homemaking