Natural Living

No Time for Making Bone Broth?

April 10, 2016 by Jackie Ritz 1 Comment

You didn’t really think I *always* made my own bone broth, did you? You did?! Awww, that’s so cute….but I wish you could have a peak into my crazy mama world. Total transparency here, I’m a happy-hot-busy-mess. I’ll admit, I love making bone broth when I have a chicken carcass laying around, but there are times when I don’t always have it on hand. Or I’m too busy and don’t have time to defrost it for a recipe I’m throwing together while I have HANGRY kids tearing at my ankles.

So what do I use during these crazy mama moments?

Kettle & Fire Bone Broth baby!

Crazy Mamas, like myself, turn to Kettle & Fire Bone Broth when:

They want bone broth from happy organic hens who are pasture-raised and spend all day pecking for bugs and enjoying the sunshine.
They want CHICKEN FEET in their broth! Y’all…chicken feet creates the most beautiful gelatin and collagen which keeps our joints and our gut healthy! If your broth ain’t gellin’, you got no reason sellin’ (other store-bought bone broths).
They want a bone broth that is locally sourced here in the USA so they can support small family farms who are working their butts off to provide sustainable and organic foods.
They care about the ingredients and spices that go into the bone broth. Take a look at the ingredients in Kettle & Fire Chicken Bone Broth.

Ingredients: Chicken Bone Broth (Filtered Water, Organic Chicken Bones, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar), Chicken Broth, Organic Celery, Organic Roasted Poblano Pepper, Organic Green Pepper, Organic Onion, Organic Carrots, Organic Garlic, Organic Scallions, Organic Tomato Puree, Organic Herbs (Parsley, Thyme, Rosemary, Basil, Bay Leaves) Organic Spices, Organic Black Pepper, Sea Salt.

Kettle & Fire Bone Broth sets the standard in the “brothery world“. Their bone broth is slow-simmered for over 20 hours, which allows the marrow, collagen and amino acids time to render into the broth so you get the added benefits. Kettle & Fire combine the highest-collagen content bones (knuckle, patella, femur, and feet bones) with only organic vegetables, sea salt, and herbs. This means no artificial ingredients, no preservatives, and no additives. And if, by some rare chance, you don’t like it, Kettle & Fire have a 100% money back guarantee.

Since most busy people don’t have the time to make bone broth at home, I felt it was important to share with you this secret that I have been keeping. Kettle & Fire has hundreds of 5 star ratings (9,800+ customers) and I’m confident you are going to love this bone broth.

Normally, Kettle & Fire only sells their product at FULL retail price at Whole Foods Market and on their site. Since I’m such a fan of this stuff, I reached out to the good folks at Kettle & Fire and they gave me an offer to pay forward to you. It’s pretty easy, really. Just click here to get 20% OFF your order of Kettle & Fire bone broth!

Natural Holiday Gift Guide

December 4, 2015 by Jackie Ritz 1 Comment

I’m partnered with some wonderful companies this season and have a wonderful list of some of my favorite product and created a Natural Holiday Gift Guide!

I’m a huge fan of supporting small businesses and many of my favorite companies provided an exclusive coupon for The Paleo Mama (Natural Homestead) readers!

I hope you enjoy this list and have a wonderful season of giving.

Best of all – I order these products myself! Further, by visiting these companies and purchasing through these links, Natural Homestead may receive a small commission for the sale which helps support the work I put into this website. Thank you for supporting Natural Homestead and the companies I believe in.

Real Food Resources:

Scroll down to each category!

Superfoods
Fats & Oils
Butter & Ghee
Flours & Grains
Meat & Seafood
Dairy & Cultures
Natural Sweeteners
Salt, Spices & Condiments
Prepared Foods & Meal Planning
Personal Care
Natural Home
Snacks & Treats
Beverages
Kitchen Supplies
Organizations We Support
Homeschooling Supplies

Superfoods

Cod Liver Oil. Extra-virgin cod liver oil is fresh and a rich source of vitamins A, D and Omega fats and is one of the best superfoods you can have in your diet. You can purchase it here. RECEIVE 10% off at Radiant Life by using the coupon code PALEOMAMA before 12/25/15!

Butter Oil. Extra-virgin butter oil is a natural source of vitamin A, E, K2 (MK-4), Butyric Acid, Wultzen Factor and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA). It is extremely potent it its levels of Vitamin K2 and supports bone and heart health. You can find it online here. RECEIVE 10% off at Radiant Life by using the coupon code PALEOMAMA before 12/25/15!

Gelatin. Gelatin is so great for hair, skin, nails and digestive health. It’s a healthier alternative to protein powders and you can add it to smoothies and even tea or coffee for a nutritional boost. We like this grass-fed beef gelatin in recipes and cooking that need to gel or thicken. We prefer grass-fed beef collagen in hot drinks like coffee and tea (it dissolves quickly and has no taste). Receive 10% off at Perfect Supplements by using the coupon code NATURALHOMESTEAD10 !

Probiotics. Fermented foods and cultured dairy products are a great, real food probiotic that promote a healthy gut, but our family, also, uses a therapeutic-grade probiotic. You can purchase an adult one here (10% off with coupon code NATURALHOMESTEAD10), a kid’s probiotic here and an infant probiotic here (10% off with coupon code PALEOMAMA) .

Prenatal Vitamin. When I’m pregnant, nursing or trying-to-conceive, I use this prenatal vitamin. Receive 10% off at Perfect Supplements by using the coupon code NATURALHOMESTEAD10 !

Liver Capsules. One of the world’s most sacred foods, liver from grass-fed cattle contains more nutrients, gram for gram, than any other food. You can purchase desiccated liver capsules here. RECEIVE 10% off at Radiant Life by using the coupon code PALEOMAMA before 12/25/15!

Elderberry Syrup. I make my own elderberry syrup (recipe here) and use it for immune boosting during the fall and winter. If you don’t want to make your own, you can purchase a great one here. Receive 10% off at Perfect Supplements by using the coupon code NATURALHOMESTEAD10 !

Vitamin D3. Vitamin D is essential for immune support, supporting healthy moods, and supporting healthy bones and joints. We prefer the D3 drops and the kids have no problem taking it. You can buy the drops here. Receive 10% off at Perfect Supplements by using the coupon code NATURALHOMESTEAD10 !

Essential Oils. We use essential oils for many, many things around our homestead, including immune support, homemade cleaning recipes, and making your own homemade beauty products. THIS MONTH ONLY I am giving away a full-size diffuser, Frankincense and other essential oils if you purchase a qualifying kit. You can purchase them here.

Colloidal Silver. We use colloidal silver to boost the immune system, fight infection, and improve skin conditions. It can be used internally and externally and can be purchased here. Receive 10% off at Perfect Supplements by using the coupon code NATURALHOMESTEAD10 !

Si Jin Bao. This is a full-service Chinese herbaceutical company specializing in custom formulations and proprietary herbal blends. Our Pediatrician in Orlando turned us on to this amazing stuff and now we order the Air Tea and the Open Air Tea online here.

Magnesium. We use magnesium to boost our magnesium levels, promote a healthy night’s sleep, and support healthy moods. I love using a magnesium supplement that I can mix right into my water and I use a magnesium oil to apply to my skin and make my magnesium butter with. Receive 10% off at Perfect Supplements by using the coupon code NATURALHOMESTEAD10 !

Herbs & Teas. I order my herbs and teas in bulk from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Fats & Oils

Olive Oil. Olive oil is one of the most adulterated oils in the world. I order first-pressed olive oil that is hand-picked, milled within 48-hours of harvesting, and grown on a small family farm in California. You can purchase it here. RECEIVE 10% off at Radiant Life by using the coupon code PALEOMAMA before 12/25/15!

Lard, Tallow, and Duck Fat. I use lard from pasture-raised pigs and tallow from grass-fed cows for homemade soap and salves and for cooking (find them here). We raise our own ducks for all their delicious benefits and use their duck fat for cooking and frying. I know everyone can’t raise their own ducks, so this rendered duck fat is the one I recommend.

Coconut Oil. Coconut oil has a high concentration of fatty acids which makes it a great oil to cook with at a high heat temperature (frying). I order all of my coconut oil from Tropical Traditions. They have really amazing sales and frequently offer free shipping. You can purchase your coconut oil here.

Ghee. Ghee is clarified butter that has had the milk solids removed and it has a mild, nutty flavor making it a great option for those with dairy allergies. You can purchase my favorite brand here from Pure Indian Foods. Use discount code thepaleomama to get $5 off your purchase over $25 from Pure Indian Foods!

Cold-Pressed Nut Oils. These oils aren’t for cooking with, but they are great for finishing over salads and vegetables. A few that I love are pumpkin seed oil, walnut oil, sunflower seed oil and flax seed oil. You can purchase them here. RECEIVE 10% off at Radiant Life by using the coupon code PALEOMAMA before 12/25/15!

Butter & Ghee

Butter. Butter…oh sweet butter. This is my favorite fat to cook with. If you can’t find a good local source of butter made from raw milk or cows that are grazing on green pastures then you can purchase some online here.

Ghee. Ghee is clarified butter that has had the milk solids removed and it has a mild, nutty flavor making it a great option for those with dairy allergies. You can purchase my favorite brand here! Use discount code thepaleomama to get $5 off your purchase over $25 from Pure Indian Foods!

Ghee and MCT Oil. If you take your coffee “Bulletproof” like I do (see my demo), then you might be interested in Coffee++ from Pure Indian Foods. It’s a combination of ghee and MCT oil which makes it easy to spoon into your morning coffee or tea! You can purchase it here. Use discount code thepaleomama to get $5 off your purchase over $25 from Pure Indian Foods!

Flours & Grains

Almond Flour. It’s so important to know that the almond nuts are soaked to remove phytic acid before grounded into flour. If I use almond flour, I prefer to use this one.

Coconut Flour. I get most of my coconut products from Tropical Traditions including coconut flour. You can purchase it here.

Arrowroot Powder. I use arrowroot in place of corn starch in my sauces, gravies and stews. I like this one.

Einkorn. If you cook with grains then I highly recommend Einkorn flour. It is an ancient grain that is a lower gluten alternative to modern wheat. You can purchase it here along with products made with einkorn like spaghetti or various pastas.

Sprouted Heirloom Flour. Sprouted flour means that the wheat berries were soaked and rinsed for days to allow the wheat to sprout. This removes much of the phytic acid and makes the flour more digestible. I like the heirloom Turkey Hard Red variety from the 1870’s because of it’s rich history. You can purchase it here.

Sourdough Starter. Want to start making your own sourdough bread? I got my FREE sourdough starter that is over 160 years old from a man named Carl Griffith. You can get your own for free by going here.

Meat & Seafood

Grass-Fed Beef & Lamb. We grow most of our meats on our farm, but when we don’t have something, I source it locally at our farmer’s market or through Eat Wild. However, if you are having a problem sourcing it, you can purchase grass-fed beef, bison, and lamb online.

Pastured Poultry. We grow all of our chickens, duck, turkeys and geese on our farm, but you can source your own locally through Eat Wild. If you are having trouble finding a local farm, then I recommend your purchase it from Wellness Meats.

Pasture Raised Pork. We purchase our pork and bacon through a local farm. Check out Eat Wild to see if there is a local pork farmer near you. If you can’t find one, then you can purchase delicious bacon and pastured pork online (click here).

Bone Broth. Bone broth is one of your most healing diet staples and we drink it, almost, daily in our traditional diet. I make my own (watch my demo here) but you can purchase it if you do not have the time or energy to make your own you can purchase it online here.

Sustainably Caught Fish. The pickins around me for wild-caught seafood can be rather slim. We purchase lots of seafood online when we have a hard time finding it locally. You can purchase sustainably caught seafood here.

Grass-Fed Beef Gelatin. Instead of protein powders, we use gelatin that is sourced from grass-fed cows. We use it in our homemade marshmallows, jell-o, thickening sauces, and even in our coffee. We use this gelatin for things that we need to gel and this gelatin for adding to drinks and smoothies (it doesn’t gel). Receive 10% off at Perfect Supplements by using the coupon code NATURALHOMESTEAD10 !

Fish Sauce. Fish sauce is a good source of minerals and additive-free flavor enhancer. Most of my dishes are splashed with my favorite fish sauce. I frequently splash my bone broth with fish sauce to add some saltiness to it. You can purchase my favorite all natural, first-press fish sauce here.

Diary & Cultures

Raw Milk & Cream. Our family has our own dairy goats and milk cow. We consume their delicious raw milk, use the cream for our coffee and homemade sour cream, and make lots of gut-friendly cultured dairy products. You should check to see if there is a local farmer near you with grass-fed raw milk or ask around at your local farmer’s market.

Milk Kefir Grains. Kefir is a traditional fermented dairy food that is similar to yogurt but thinner and offers a delicious tart flavor. You might be able to find someone in your area who sells extra kefir grains but if you can’t, you can purchase them online.

Yogurt Culture Starters. I use mesophilic cultures in my cheesemaking and and a yogurt culture to make our weekly batch of homemade yogurt. You could, also, use store-bought, organic, non-additive yogurt as a starter.

Natural Sweeteners

Raw Honey. We are lucky enough to have our own honeybees and lots of delicious raw, unprocessed honey. If you’re not so lucky, or ready to be a beekeeper, then ask around at your local farmer’s market or purchase some online here.

Unrefined Cane Sugar. Unrefined cane sugar is much different than white sugar. It is rich in minerals and and can be used as a 1:1 substitute for recipes with white sugar. It, also, could be labeled “sucanat” or “rapadura“. You can purchase it online here.

Coconut Sugar. Coconut sugar is very low on the glycemic index and comes from the fresh coconut tree sap and is a rich source of potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and B vitamins. You can buy it online here.

Other Sweeteners. We use a few other sweeteners that are rich in minerals like grade B maple syrup and blackstrap molasses.

Salt, Spices, and Condiments

Salt. Salt is, truly, the spice of life and we use it unsparingly on our homestead. I recommend unrefined sea salt that is hand harvested in the coastal region of France. You can purchase it online here.

Spices. I prefer to buy my organic spices in bulk for the deeper discount. I get them from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Condiments.

Ketchup
Coconut Aminos (substitute for soy sauce)
Mayonnaise
Fish Sauce

Tomatoes. I try to grow my own tomatoes or buy them locally to throw in soups, chili and homemade marinara. When I can’t grow my own, I buy sun-dried tomatoes for scattering on top of salads and omelets, tomato sauce to use when I don’t have time to make my own, and diced tomatoes to throw in recipes when the garden is closed for the winter.

Fermented Food. We enjoy lacto-fermented foods and use them like condiments. Some of our favorites are sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, and atchara

Prepared Foods & Meal Planning

Pete’s Paleo. Farm fresh and gourmet Paleo meals delivered directly to your doorstep! I’ve used this service during moves and to gift to new moms who are on a Paleo diet. You can check them out here.

Real Plans. Whether you eat Paleo, grain-free, traditional or vegetarian, Real Plans is amazing at offering simple recipes to you each week. Click here to see Real Plans.

Personal Care

Deodorant. Sometimes I feel like making my own, sometimes I don’t. It’s important to me to use only non-toxic, aluminum-free deodorant and I find that this brand actually works.

Toothpaste. When my kids were younger they loved this toothpaste . Now we all can’t get enough of doTERRA’s OnGuard toothpaste.

Skin Care. I use the Oil Cleansing Method for my face and neck. I use almond oil and essential oils and you can watch my demo here.

Feminine Products. I, personally, love my diva cup, but, also, use organic cotton tampons. These pads are great if you prefer using pads.

Sunscreen. We prefer to use Badger sunscreen. It ranks very low in toxicity on the Skin Deep website. You can purchase it here.

Lotions. I make my own Lavender Body Butter and Healing Salve but you can purchase wonderful skin care products from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Perfume. I stopped buying over-the-counter perfumes and just buy the real stuff now. I use all essential oils and even love creating my own perfume blends. You can buy essential oils here.

Hair Care. Morrocco Method offers a wide-range of raw, wildcrafted hair care products including shampoo and conditioner, as well as henna, which is a safe and permanent way to dye your hair.

Makeup. Bare Minerals has some low-toxic products that rank pretty good on the Skin Deep website. You can buy them here.

Sew Grown Purse – If you enjoy essential oils, as much as I do, and need a beautiful carry purse to hold them when you are on-the-go, then Sew Grown has all you need! Use the coupon code 10g2015 for 10% off $30.00 or more (expires 12/31/15)!

Natural Home

Natural Cleaning. Branch Basics offers a non-toxic, plant-based, hypo-allergic and cruelty-free natural cleaner concentrate that is a multi-tasking workhorse. You can use it to make hand soap, bathroom cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, and it’s even safe to wash your baby with it.

Water Purification. Radiant Life has got you covered for all your water purification needs. They have complete home systems or if you are on a tighter budget, then the Berkey Royal is amazing and what my family uses!

Aromatherapy. We’ve traded in our toxic plug-ins and candles for aromatherapy. We use water diffusion to disperse essential oils into the air. You can purchase all your essential oil needs and diffusers here.

Sew Grown Purse – If you enjoy essential oils, as much as I do, and need a beautiful carry purse to hold them when you are on-the-go, then Sew Grown has all you need! You can purchase from here. Use the coupon code 10g2015 for 10% off $30.00 or more (expires 12/31/15)!

Bainbridge Farm Goods: I love these modern, farm signs that you can put throughout your home, farm, or garden. You can purchase these from here. Free shipping on orders over $14.95. Go to their website and you will see a popup.

Snacks & Treats

Nick’s Sticks. 100% grass-fed beef and free-range turkey sticks without any MSG or gluten! Purchase them here. Use the coupon code NATURALHOMESTEAD10 to get 10% off from Nick’s Sticks (expires 12/31/15)!

Nut Butter. I use nut butters that are presoaked, sprouted and come from organic nuts. You can check them out here.

Soaked Seeds & Nuts. It’s hard to find nuts and seeds that have been properly soaked (and sprouted) to remove excessive phytic acid. I purchase mine from here.

Chocolate. A natural, non-gmo chocolate that is so good. Buy it here.

Non-GMO Popcorn. Who doesn’t love popcorn? We use non-gmo popcorn and make it ourselves on the stovetop in coconut oil and top it with butter and celtic sea salt. Yum!

Coconut Butter. Don’t buy this. You don’t want to become addicted like our family is. Coconut butter is the whole coconut meat in a concentrated form. It’s sweet and can be used like peanut or almond butter. You can purchase it here.

Beverages

Coffee. I get my fair-trade, organic coffee from a local farmer who roasts it in small batches. However, you can purchase coffee online.

Tea. I buy loose tea from Mountain Rose Herbs .

Coconut Water. My kids enjoy something other than water and raw milk at times. Coconut water is a natural, rehydrating drink filled with beneficial electrolytes. My kids like the flavored kind from here.

Kitchen Equipment

Instant Pot. Hand’s down my favorite kitchen appliance that you can get. I make bone broth in NINETY MINUTES y’all and it has a yogurt function that I use to make homemade yogurt (watch demo here)! This is a God-send to a real food kitchen. Get it here.

Slow Cooker. What’s that? My Instant Pot has a slow cooker function on it so I ended up donating my slow cooker.

Excalibur Dehydrator. Make your own jerky, dry your own fruit and herbs, and even make homemade crackers. Purchase it here.

Kitchen Aid Mixer. Whip up your own marshmallows, whipped cream, and let it do the hard work of kneading your homemade bread. Couldn’t live without my Kitchen Aid! Buy it here.

60 Family Books for Advent Season

November 21, 2015 by Jackie Ritz 3 Comments

There are so many great children’s books that you can read with your children during this coming Advent season and so many treasured classics that never go out of style. I want this blog post to excite you with the possibility of sharing wonderful literature with your children this Christmas season and to give some suggestions on some classic books for Advent.

As you probably know, I’ve posted earlier in on my Facebook page about the fantastic idea of wrapping 25 books for Christmas and putting them under the tree on December 1^st. That gives our family the perfect opportunity for allowing the kids to choose one book each night during the Advent season for us to read together as we cuddle near the tree sipping on warm cider and anticipating the birth of our Savior.

So get ready to make your own chosen list of books, hopefully finding some among the ones I’m sharing in this post, and create some wonderful 2015 Advent memories with your family. I’m including the following ideas for you.

Ideas for easy books for toddlers and babies
Ideas for preschool to elementary level books
Ideas for books for older children
Ideas for books for everyone
Ideas about traditional Christmas classics
Ideas for creative ways to share these books with your family

1. Ideas for easy books for toddlers and babies

Lift-the-Flap Nativity by Juliet David – Children can enjoy learning new things about the Christmas story in Lift the Flap Nativity, with flaps to open on every page and surprises to discover behind every door.

Merry Creature Christmas by Dandi Daley Mackall – Little Star, Big Bear, the proud, white mare and all the bluebirds sing and join the forest creatures dancing everywhere. The pictures tell the sweet story of the forest animals having a Christmas party celebrating Jesus.

The Little Drummer Boy illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats – Keats drew lovely illustrations to go along with the old song. Another book you can sing!

Claude the Dog: A Christmas Story by Dick Gackenbach – Christmas would not be complete without this adorable story with its simple reminder of what really matters at Christmas (friends and family, not the gifts).

The Animal’s Christmas Eve by Gale Wiersum – The sing-song words in this young toddler’s book are sure to catch your children’s attention, especially if they love animals.

2. Ideas for preschool to elementary level books

The Perfect Christmas Gift – Part of the God’s Little Princess Series by Sheila Walsh, which teach little girls great lessons about being a daughter of the Highest King. In this book, Gigi, as usual, knows EXACTLY what she wants … but finds that being a little surprised, like the Christmas shepherds, is OK too.

Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones – Each page shows and tells about different aspects of our world—the wind, the trees, the animals, and the stars. The anticipation builds until at last Jesus is born.

Humphrey’s First Christmas by Carol Heyer – Humphrey is hilarious as he describes the injustice of his life as a camel. And then Humphrey finds himself on a journey … and that maybe things weren’t so bad after all.

The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado – Joshua the lamb can’t keep up with the other sheep and feels left out … but finds himself in a special stable.

Katy’s Christmas Gift by Bernadette Watts – Katy sets out in the snow to visit the new baby born in the innkeeper’s stable. She is bringing gifts: a loaf of bread, her cat Sasha and, most importantly, her favorite toy—a wooden bird whistle. But Sasha doesn’t want to play in the cold snow, and the animals of the forest eat the bread. Soon Katy’s carefully chosen gifts are gone—except the most special one of all.

A Calf for Christmas by Astrid Lindgren – It’s the last day of school before Christmas and snow is falling heavily. Johan heads to school on his sled, but he can’t stop thinking about the terrible thing that happened yesterday—his family’s only cow died, and they have no money to buy another. The rich farmer Peter Jonsson has come to town today for the Christmas market. He buys a calf then, after spending some time in the local pub, loses it on the sleigh ride home! When Johan heads out to clear snow, what does he find?… Maybe he’ll have a happy Christmas after all.

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston – The Armistice has been declared, but still there is no sign of Ruthie’s father in their little Appalachian town. So, in accordance with the traditions of Pine Grove, it falls to Ruthie and her mother to bring home the perfect Christmas tree to donate to the town.

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski – Jonathan Toomey is the best woodcarver in the valley, but he is always alone and never smiles. No one knows about the mementos of his lost wife and child that he keeps in an unopened drawer. But one early winter’s day, a widow and her young son approach him with a gentle request that leads to a joyful miracle.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson – The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, smoke cigars, swear, and hit little kids. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant. None of the Herdmans has ever heard the Christmas story before. Their interpretation of the tale—the Wise Men are a bunch of dirty spies and Herod needs a good beating—has a lot of people up in arms. But it will make this year’s pageant the most unusual anyone has seen and, just possibly, the best one ever.

The Crippled Lamb Hardcover by Max Lucado – In this timeless bestseller, readers experience the tender love God has for those who feel alone and different. Joshua was a lamb with a crippled leg who felt left out because he couldn’t run and play like the other lambs. But God had a very special plan for Joshua’s life, as He does for all who feel alone.

3. Ideas for books for older children

The Candle in the Window by Grace Johnson – This one is long, but it’s a beautiful story of a German cobbler who remembers the true meaning of Christmas as Christmas Eve passes.

The Birds’ Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin – Carol Bird, a Christmas-born child, who as a young girl is unusually loving and generous, having a positive effect on everyone with whom she comes into contact. The book is a wistful moral tale about a saintly child, but is enlivened by many humorous scenes.

The Story of the Other Wiseman by Henry Van Dyke – Often retold as the tale of the fourth wiseman, and even turned into a movie, this is an unabridged version by the original author, who also penned the words to the Christmas carol, Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee.

Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas – This special edition is beautifully illustrated. It can serve as a precious guide to help recapture the sacredness of the Advent season and to help the entire family understand and celebrate the epic pageantry of humankind from Adam to the Messiah.

The Old Shepherd’s Tale by Christopher Nye – An old shepherd shares the stable with his animals on the night Mary and Joseph arrive and give birth to the infant Jesus. The shepherd sees the greatness of these beasts—and shares that vision with us in this story that goes straight to the heart. For all ages.

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry – In a shabby New York flat, Della sobs as she counts the few coins she has saved to buy a Christmas present for her husband, Jim. A gift worthy of her devotion will require a great sacrifice: selling her long, beautiful hair. Jim, meanwhile, has made a sacrifice for Della that is no less difficult. As they exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, the discovery of what each has done fills them with despair, until they realize that the true gifts of Christmas can be found more readily in their humble apartment than in any fine store.

4. Books for everyone, all-ages

Some of my personal favorites that are “twaddle-free.” If you are a Charlotte Mason homeschooler, like me, then you understand that this simply means that these books are classic, undiluted, and do not undervalue the intelligence of the child.

If you ever see these books at a used-book store, you snag these books up in a heartbeat. They are literature gems that your children will love (and so will you).

The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Anderson

The Birds’ Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin

The Tough Winter by Robert Lawson

The Life of Our Lord by Charles Dickens

Cole Family Christmas by Jennifer Bryan

The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien

Christmas Remembered by Tomie de Paola

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski
Christmas Spirit by George Grant and Gregory Wilbur
The Gospels of St. Matthew, St. Luke, and St. John
A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas
God Is in the Manger by Deitrich Bonhoeffer
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie

The Wee Christmas Cabin of Carn-na-ween by Ruth Sawyer

The Jesse Tree by Geraldine McCaughrean

An Orange for Frankie Patricia Polacco

Stars over Bethlehem by Opal Wheeler

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston

The Friendly Beasts: An Old English Christmas Carol by Tomie de Paola

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey

The Gifts of the Christ Child by George MacDonald

The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado

The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale by Angela Hunt

Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo

The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl Buck

Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacoo

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Becky’s Christmas by Tasha Tudor

Jothem’s Journey: A Storybook for Advent by Arnold Ytreeide

Angel Mae by Shirley Hughes

Merry Christmas Ernest and Celestine by Gabrielle Vincent

5. Ideas about traditional Christmas classics

The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter – The Tailor of Gloucester was first published in 1903 and tells the story of a poor tailor trying to survive in his freezing workshop over a hard winter. He has a terribly important commission to complete for the Mayor of Gloucester’s wedding on Christmas Day but is ill and tired, and before long is running out of food and thread, as well as time! How will he possibly complete the beautiful coat and embroidered waistcoat? Luckily, there lives in the dresser, some very kind and very resourceful mice who set about helping the poor tailor with his work. Not only are they exceedingly helpful, but they are also, luckily, far far too clever for the tailor’s sly cat, Simpkin.

The Twelve Days of Christmas by Laurel Long – This well known Christmas song deserves lavish illustrations, and this edition exceeds expectations.

Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffman – The tale of Nutcracker has fascinated and inspired artists, composers, and audiences for almost two hundred years. It has retained its freshness because it appeals to the sense of wonder we all share. Maurice Sendak designed brilliant sets and costumes for the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Christmas production of Nutcrackerand created even more magnificent pictures especially for this book. He joined with the eminent translator Ralph Manheim to produce this illustrated edition of Hoffmann’s wonderful tale, destined to become a classic for all ages.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (picture book edition) (Chronicles of Narnia) – A picture book retelling of C. S. Lewis’s classic story for the youngest fans! Now younger children can share the magical experience, entering into a world of enchantment that will forever lure them back. Four adventurous siblings step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter—but never Christmas—cursed by the power of the White Witch. Only Aslan, the Great Lion, can reverse her wicked spell.

Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus by Francis P. Church – In 1897, a young girl wrote to The New York Sun asking whether Santa Claus truly existed. The paper’s response, written by reporter Francis P. Church, has become a beloved holiday literary tradition. An original approach to a children’s classic, this captivating book creatively reinterprets that heartwarming letter about the truth behind Santa Claus and Christmas. It is accompanied by charming Victorian artwork. Joel Spector is an artist and illustrator known for his elegant pastel images.

6. Ideas for creative ways to share these books with your family

There are many ways to extend your family time with these books beyond the simple reading of the book. Try some of these ideas with your family:

Advent is the time before Christmas when we anticipate the birth of Jesus. It begins the Christian year. Learn more about the Christian year, and why or why not people follow it. (Helpful Info)
Compare the stories in different retellings of the the Christmas story with the biblical versions of Christ’s birth. (For more help)
Learn about Christmas celebrations around the world. Find out how people from other countries have brought their celebrations to their new homes in North America. (Need a suggestion?)
Try serving different snack and holiday foods from other cultures during your family advent time. (For more help)
Add a time of making Christmas crafts to your family advent time. Then take some crafts and your favorite books to a local nursing home or hospital to read the book and share the crafts with people who may be lonely or sad at this special time of year. (For more ideas)

Don’t miss the wonderful opportunity of sharing the advent season of 2015 by making family advent memories that your children will remember for the rest of their lives! This blog will get you started—but don’t stop here; go and make your own lasting advent memories.

Sources

The Decision to Stop at Two and MTHFR

November 13, 2015 by Jackie Ritz 12 Comments

I’m not sure if every woman goes through this emotional struggle. As I look back over my blog the past year, I can sense how busy I must look and how unattached I have been. Sometimes it’s easier to pump out lots of information and be completely and emotionally detached. It’s been a year that has been filled with so much joy and peace…except in this one area…this one nagging question…should we try again for another baby?

You see, I always envisioned our family have three kids. Frank comes from a family of three children and so do I, so naturally, we always wanted three kids. And we tried…we could keep trying…but it’s tormenting.

A year and a half ago I wrote a very emotional and raw blog post on my natural miscarriage. I said that I was done and and “100% positive that I cannot go through this again.” But the truth is, I did.

Eight months ago we wanted to try for a third child. I wasn’t really ready, but it happened and I was pregnant. Then I wasn’t. And then all the emotions, anger, and the memories of my previous miscarriage all overcame me again. I was so mad at myself for letting myself get pregnant…and I questioned why my body ALWAYS got pregnant but just couldn’t keep the baby.

After reading a book that my friend Emily from Holistic Squid gave me called, “Feed Your Fertility“, and I saw a little snippet in there about MTHFR gene mutation and miscarriage. It peaked my interest and I started reading more and more about this MTHFR stuff.

The genetics home reference explains what the normal function of the MTHFR gene does…

The MTHFR gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. This enzyme plays a role in processing amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase is important for a chemical reaction involving forms of the vitamin folate (also called vitamin B9). Specifically, this enzyme converts a molecule called 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to a molecule called 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. This reaction is required for the multistep process that converts the amino acid homocysteine to another amino acid, methionine. The body uses methionine to make proteins and other important compounds.

There is a long list of the conditions of the MTHFR gene mutation and what they can cause, but the one that stood out to me was miscarriages. I wondered if my history of three miscarriages had anything to do with this MTHFR stuff.

So, what does any woman with a strong intuition that something wasn’t right, do? Well, she gets to the root of what’s going on and I sent off to have my genetics tested through 23 and Me. Sure enough I have one of the most problematic mutations.

The two most problematic mutations that can occur are C677T and A1298C. The most common forms of MTHFR mutation are below:

Homozygous: the same gene passed on from both parents and occurs when both parents pass on the 677 mutation, or the 1298 mutation.
Heterozygous: one parent passed on the 677 mutation or the 1298 mutation but the other parent passed on a normal gene.
Compound Heterozygous: one parent passed on the 677 mutation and the other passed on the 1298 mutation.

I was found to be compound heterozygous, which means I have a 677 mutation and a 1298 mutation. The largest problem that women of childbearing age can have who carry a MTHFR mutation is that they do not properly break down folic acid, and they also have a very hard time detoxing from heavy metals.

BAM.

Could I have found the reason for my miscarriages? Tears…peace.

I took my findings to a specialized MTHFR doctor that was recommended off of MTHFR.net and have been seeing him for the last year. I have discovered lots of interesting things about my health. I was crucially low in my B vitamins…I mean crucially. I am VERY low in my folate…rightly so since my body doesn’t even process it correctly. I carry a chronic virus that tells my body to constantly fight. And here I was…I thought I was a healthy 34-year old woman.

So, with the help of my MTHFR doctor, we have been addressing the issues of my health. But lately…and loudly… my emotions are taking hold of me and needing closure.

I think I am one of those woman that will ALWAYS want another baby. As long as I can have kids, I want kids.

The downside is, in this “want”, I have never been satisfied with the two amazing, beautiful children that I have. I want another one…but they should be enough for me.

So through tears and frustration, we have decided that I can’t go through this all the time. I can’t go through the agony of a monthly period coming late and the hope that this “might” stick.

I want to move on and be content with my children…the two children that have made me MOM. I don’t need anything more than what God has already given me. And the complete agony of “trying” is more than my body can take.

So, it’s done. I’m a mother of two delightful and precious children. Little Farm Girl is almost 7 years old and is quickly becoming my greatest friend. She’s sensitive to my emotions and always wants to please me. Little Farm Boy is 4 years old. His birth and life has been during the most difficult time of my life, but the past year we have felt a breath of fresh air…renewal…promise…and the ability to create joy within our lives.

I couldn’t be happier. Will I always want another child? Probably. Have we thought about adoption. Absolutely. But I want to learn to be satisfied with the life that I am living right now and the two living blessings that need all of their mommy.

I could die today and know that I have lived a full life. I know my miscarried babies will meet me in heaven. I, also, know that my husband and I are making the right decision. Is it hard? For sure. Do I long for another baby? I do…but I long more for contentment with the wonderful two children that I have.

MTHFR Video:

Raising Irish Dexter Cows

October 27, 2015 by Jackie Ritz 5 Comments

We recently added Cleo and Rosalind to our family. These two girls are registered Irish Dexter cows, an endangered heritage breed that gives great milk and tasty meat. We are so excited to finally have cows in our barnyard heritage menagerie!

In this blog post I want to introduce you to this wonderful breed of cattle, and to share some of the pros and cons for raising Dexters. Cleo and Rosalind have already endeared themselves with each of our family members, and I know you would have the same pleasant experience if you were able to bring some Dexters into your family.

We will take a look at:

The heritage breed of Irish Dexter Cows
Why would I choose to raise Dexters?
What specific benefits will my Dexters provide?
The Buyers’ check list when purchasing Dexter cattle.

1. The heritage breed of Dexter Cattle

Today’s Dexter cattle descend from a herd of hardy Irish mountain cattle assembled by Mr. Dexter, agent to Lord Hawarden, around 1750. Dexter roots trace to the tiny Celtic cattle of ancient Eire. Irish fanciers established a Dexter registry in 1887 and an American version followed in 1911. Yet North American Dexters were ever scarce; today they’re included on the American Livestock Breed Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List, classified as rare. (If you’d like to help preserve an endangered heritage livestock breed, consider raising Dexters. They need your helping hand.)

Dexters are strikingly small cattle. Most Dexters are colored in shades of deepest ebony to sun-tinged, reddish-black. Reds and duns are far less common and grade from palest red to darkest mahogany; reds have black and pink noses, while duns have brown noses. Black-tipped white horns usually accent their small, neat heads, although a line of polled (hornless) Dexters now exists. There are two types: a longer-legged version (Kerry type) and a Dexter with shorter legs.

Dexters are dual-purpose cattle. Thanks to the breed’s foraging ability, and its high feed conversion and meat-to-bone ratios, a grass-fed Dexter steer will finish in 18 to 24 months, dressing out at 50 to 60 percent live weight. Dexter beef is fine-textured, tender and delicious. And Dexter cows give 1.5 to 3 gallons of roughly 4 percent butterfat milk daily, at a rate of up to one quart of cream per gallon.

Dexters are famous for their strong maternal instinct, easy calving, sweet dispositions and longevity. They do, however, occasionally throw dwarf “bulldog” calves.

2. Why would I choose to raise Dexters?

There are some very practical reasons to choose to raise Dexter cattle. Raising a Dexter cow has been compared to eating one potato chip—it’s almost impossible to settle for just one! Here are some of the benefits you will find:

If you want to have a cow, you’ll need less pasture and far less space to house a mini version like a Dexter.
If you must pen her and feed cut-and-carry forage, it’s doable.
Her wee hooves and bantam weight equate with far less pasture damage, and she’s designed to eat grass, not concentrates.
She’ll neatly thrive on one half the feed of her full-size kin and use it to produce much less waste for you to cart away.
Come autumn, you’ll haul less hay. And you’ll tote fewer buckets of water to quench her thirst during the deep, hard winter freeze.
If you are a small-scale farmer hoping to qualify land for ag-tax breaks or to turn a profit, this is a very good thing indeed.

3. What kind of care do I need to give my Dexters?

The care of your Dexter cows will not put a huge strain on your homestead budget. Your barn facility and pasture area will not need to be as strong and large as what you would need for larger breeds.

Dexter cattle are not as susceptible to cattle diseases as other breeds. They will rarely need to be attended to by a veterinarian. Dexters are also highly intelligent and have a steady temperament, which means they are not hard to handle. Some additional specifics related to their care includes:

While they so not need as much housing as other breeds, they will need a place to get out of the wind and snow if you live in a cold winter climate.
You will need to be certain you have secure fencing.
You can get by on 2-3 acres for them, but your forage needs to be nutritious and in excellent shape.
They may require additional hay, which you will need to have ready.
Make sure you have a veterinarian to help you learn about cattle care and preventative medicine, and who will come to your property if needed.

4. What specific benefits will my Dexters provide?

Looking after a Dexter can be fun for children and can give them a sense of accomplishment. With proper attention and training, a Dexter can be easily handled by even the greenest homesteader. Dexters can be trained like oxen to plow or pull wagons, and their strength belies their size. At the same time, that size makes them less intimidating to children and adults.

They’re the perfect size for the family homestead. One Dexter cow will give about 1 to 2 gallons of milk a day, a much more manageable amount for a single family than the 8 to 10 gallons a typical Holstein yields.

If you raise a Dexter for beef, you’ll need room in the freezer for about 400 pounds of meat, rather than 600 to 800 pounds you’d get from a typical full-size steer. They are known as prolific milkers and produce a significantly higher milk yield than other breeds. Their milk is of very high quality and has high levels of protein and butterfat.

The meat from Dexter cattle has a pleasantly unique taste and texture that makes it suitable for boutique meat markets. Grain-fed Dexters will yield 250 pounds at 12 months, and 475 to 500 pounds at 24 months, dressing at about 60 percent of their live weight. These results can be obtained by supplemental feeding of only 5 to 7 pounds of grain per day for the last two to three months. Grass-fed animals yield about 55 percent of their live weight.

Dexters typically live long lives and can be bred until the ages of 14 or 15. Considering that a Dexter can be bred from as early as a year old and through harsh weather conditions, this trait is a clear advantage over other breeds.

Dexters are known as “easy calving cattle.” This means that they can successfully give birth without assistance and that they rarely experience any birthing difficulties. Also, the rate of live births of this type of cattle is relatively high. Because of these characteristics, Dexter bulls are often used instead of valuable heifers of larger cattle for breeding. This almost always results in larger numbers of safe, unassisted births.

1. The Buyers’ check list when purchasing Dexter cattle.

The American Dexter Cattle Association (ADCA) has given some valuable information in its Buyers’ check list (Here) that the wise homesteader will review before purchasing any Dexter cattle.

Buyers’ Check List

Never buy an animal sight unseen.
Be sure the animal is registered (registration certificate in Dexter Owner’s Handbook).
If the animal is not registered, ask for it to be registered BEFORE you purchase it, at the very least make sure it can be. Animals without registration papers may not be able to be registered. If there is any question about the registration paper of the animal to be purchased, its sire or dam, the buyer may be buying a grade animal. (Avoid disappointment later.) If there is a question about registration, contact the Registrar. Remember, there are animals that cannot be registered.
Heifers and cows over one year and bulls over two years may require Parentage Verification. (Avoid costly bills later or worse not being able to register them)
Be sure the tattoo number on the paper matches the number in the animal’s ear.
Make sure the animal can meet your state’s health requirements (for example blood testing for brucellosis, etc.)
As a precaution, ask that the animal receive any necessary shots (such as for B.V.D.) prior to shipping.
If buying a bull, you may want to request semen testing.
Be sure the price is right–shop around—call other breeders—don’t buy the first Dexter you see—go visit several herds if possible.
Ask to see progeny or sire and dam, of the animal you are buying. Anything you can see will be helpful to you in making your decision. Hint check the online pedigree pages, there may be pictures posted.
Be sure if you purchase a bred cow that you get the proper signatures on the white application for registry so you can get your calf registered.
Make sure the animal fits your needs (if you want to milk the animal make sure she has a good sound udder).
Make sure to see copies of any genetic testing that you deem important such as Chondrodysplasia, PHA, Color, A2 Beta-Casein, or Genotyping. Make sure they are on file with the ADCA and will be printed on your registration certificate.

Remember these valuable buyer-beware points. Look at the herds of several breeders before making your decision to buy. You will see the differences in management as well as differences in the animals themselves. Beware buying animals at the sale barn as you are buying someone else’s problems or culls—those animals are there for a reason.

The more you know the better decisions you will make, and identifying breeders who are willing to provide advice and service after the sale will make your transition much smoother, helping you on the learning curve that always comes with a new adventure.

But once you have your Dexters, they will very quickly charm their way into the hearts of each family member. They will be much more than homestead cattle—they will become family pets!

(PHOTO CREDIT: Image 1, 2, and 3 used with permission from Kirkhaven Farm)

Sources

How to Raise Turkeys

October 16, 2015 by Jackie Ritz Leave a Comment

Raising the turkey you will eat on Thanksgiving Day may be something you want to consider doing. Turkeys can be a fun addition to a small farm or homestead and I’m going to share a few things I have learned on how to raise your own turkeys. But before you start, there are a few things you need to consider.

If you are hoping to save money on your Thanksgiving bird by raising it yourself, you are likely to be disappointed. It will be hard to compete with the sale price of the commercially grown supermarket turkeys.
You will be challenged to keep your turkey free from predators. Just about every wild critter (even some domesticated ones) is on the prowl for a big, juicy turkey meal.
Turkeys have really cute personalities and love to be around people. It may be hard to decide if they are your family pet or your Thanksgiving Day meal.
Turkey raising is a challenge—get rid of your romantic notions about it. There will be great days, and there will be difficult days. If you succeed, you will produce a Thanksgiving turkey meal that is way more flavorful than any storebought bird could give you. But if you blow it, you’ll be buying that last minute, dried out bird at the market, hoping no one will notice.

If you’ve been reading our Natural Homestead blogs and posts, you know that we decided that raising our own pastured turkeys—including one for our Thanksgiving dinner—was just what we wanted to do. We purchased 5 2-month old turkeys (yes, we decided to skip the infant stage this first time around) to join our menagerie and forage to their heart’s content out in our pasture. We built a turkey roost for them to use in the pasture during the day, and they will be able to roost in the closed barn at night.

In this blog I want to share some of our firsthand experiences, and more of our research into how to raise turkeys to help you make a choice about raising your own. We will consider:

What are the differences between a standard breed and a heritage breed?
What kind of shelter do I need to prepare for my turkeys?
What do I need to know about feeding my turkeys?
Are there special preparations I need to make in my pasture?
What health issues could I face with my turkeys?
When will my turkey be ready for eating?

1. What are the differences between a standard breed and a heritage breed?

Frank and I have made the decision to raise only Heritage Breeds of homestead animals on our Gather Heritage Farm. We want to have a part in saving endangered livestock from extinction. When we moved into our forever farm we knew that we could provide the necessary elements to be a part of this endeavor.

Heritage turkeys are raised outdoors, freely roam on pasture, and eat the varied diet nature intended them to eat. Most supermarket turkeys today are raised in crowded indoor pens, and are fed a constant diet of grains, fillers, and supplements like antibiotics—just to fatten them up to meet the demands of American shoppers.

While supermarket turkeys tend to be tasteless and dry, heritage birds are juicy and flavorful. They taste the way a turkey is supposed to taste. Heritage breeds include:

Beltsville Small White
Black
Jersey Buff
Narragansett
Royal Palm
Bourbon Reds
Slate
Standard Bronze
White Holland
White Midget

Heritage breeds will take longer to raise. If you raise one from early spring to fall it will weigh approximately 15-18 pounds. But the meat is denser, and more flavorful. There tends to be more leg meat and less breast meat.

2. What kind of shelter do I need to prepare for my turkeys?

If you decide to start with turkey poults (infants), you will need to provide the same basic care you would give to your baby chicks. When you bring them home, dip their beaks in water to teach them how to drink. They need to be in warm temperatures (95 degrees) for the first week, and gradually less heat as they feather out.

Heritage turkeys are more spunky than standard breeds, and can figure any way out of their pen—up, under, through, between. Make sure the fencing around your turkey pen is secure and can keep your turkeys in and their predators out! Fencing should be as high as possible, at least four feet. Use woven-wire fencing and metal T-posts or wooden posts.

If you are raising turkeys to breed or places for broody hens to sit on eggs, you will need a pen with solid sides and separate housing for toms and hens. Allow the toms and hens to forage separately.

Provide your growing turkeys with a turkey roost with a roof to keep them safe. The higher you make it, the safer they will be. Wild turkeys roost way up high in trees. A 5 by 8 foot roost will house about 20 turkeys.

We raise free-range turkeys so we don’t even have housing for them. They usually wind up sleeping on a barn stall or on their turkey roost that we built to go outside and is next to our yellow duck house. The turkey roost is over 7ft high so there is no way a predator can get them at night.

3. What do I need to know about feeding my turkeys?

Their first food should be a high protein ration with about 28 percent protein fuel their fast growth. By 8 weeks they can be switched to a 20-22 percent feed, and after they begin foraging you can use a 18-20 percent protein, and give them some cracked grains to help their digestive systems utilize their feed.

When you are fattening them up for the Thanksgiving table, toss in excess or bug-infested apples, tomatoes, and other produce as treats. You can find full information on feeding your turkeys here.

4. Are there special preparations I need to make in my pasture?

If you have a large, lush pasture, your turkeys will be able to free range, moving from area to area as they deplete the grasses and eat the bugs. If you have a smaller pasture, you may want to consider whether you can provide enough food material for the birds to thrive. For pastured or limited range turkeys, alfalfa, clover, and grasses such as orchard grass serve turkeys very well; however, fescue is not recommended. Contact local Cooperative Extension agents to ascertain the best choice of pasture browse crops and planting strategy for your locale.

Remember that turkeys are very sensitive to numerous mycotoxins (toxins produced by fungus and mold), so moldy grains and grasses should be avoided at all cost. Turkeys are excellent insect foragers. The only insects they will not eat are the ones they cannot catch.

5. What health issues could I face with my turkeys?

Turkeys are pretty hardy, but there are some potential health concerns in raising them. Some of these include:

Blackhead (Histomoniasis)—a parasite found in earthworms from poultry droppings. Symptoms include bright yellow droppings and droopiness, diarrhea and weight loss.
Coccidiosis—a parasitic disease more common to commercial turkeys, recognized by watery diarrhea and malaise. It must be diagnosed by a vet.
Lice—turkeys get lice just like chickens. Make sure you treat them regularly with a lice powder that is suitable for raising organic turkeys.

With careful maintenance and diligence, you should be able to raise your turkeys disease-free and healthy.

6. When will my turkey be ready for eating?

Turkeys for meat are ready for slaughter at 24-28 weeks for standard breeds, but heritage breeds normally take longer to raise to slaughter readiness. Most will weigh 14-18 pounds by Thanksgiving time. You will need to keep that bird around another year to get it to a larger size.

Processing a turkey is more difficult than chickens because they are heavier, more energetic and more intelligent. They are also loaded with much more personality, and it may be very hard for you to consider doing anything hurtful to that family member. You can bring them to a processor to do the hard work for you or have someone else do the hard deed.

Fortunately, if you choose to raise heritage breeds, you can allow your turkey family to grow and expand so you will always have some of these beautiful birds in your pasture. That’s having your turkey and eating it too!

Sources

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1. Ideas for easy books for toddlers and babies

2. Ideas for preschool to elementary level books

3. Ideas for books for older children

4. Books for everyone, all-ages

5. Ideas about traditional Christmas classics

6. Ideas for creative ways to share these books with your family

Sources

1. The heritage breed of Dexter Cattle

2. Why would I choose to raise Dexters?

3. What kind of care do I need to give my Dexters?

4. What specific benefits will my Dexters provide?

1. The Buyers’ check list when purchasing Dexter cattle.

Buyers’ Check List

Sources

1. What are the differences between a standard breed and a heritage breed?

2. What kind of shelter do I need to prepare for my turkeys?

3. What do I need to know about feeding my turkeys?

4. Are there special preparations I need to make in my pasture?

5. What health issues could I face with my turkeys?

6. When will my turkey be ready for eating?

Sources

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