Welcome to Keeping It Holistic: a gentle place for building a small-scale homestead from where you are.
Here, we focus on beginner sourdough baking, small-space gardening, and simple from-scratch living, all designed for real life even if you don’t have acres of land, endless time, or fancy equipment.
You’ll find no-stress sourdough methods, rustic recipes made with real ingredients, and practical guidance for growing food in backyards, balconies, and small urban spaces. Alongside that, we share the rhythms of urban homesteading and slow living, helping you build confidence, reduce overwhelm, and create a more rooted, self-sufficient life right where you are.
Start Here: Small-Scale Homesteading
New to homesteading or starting with what you have?
Simple guidance for building a small-scale homestead right where you are, one intentional step at a time.
My sourdough was flat and business was slow
When I first started homesteading, my sourdough was dense and flat, my garden struggled, and it seemed like I was scrambling to get people to notice my business, let alone, buy my products. And for a time, I burnt out.
After years of trial and error, analyzing hundreds of businesses from other sectors, and just pure grit...
I created a free Zero to Homestead Skool Community: a place where homesteaders of all levels share wins, troubleshoot challenges, and get guidance from experienced peers. By joining, you’ll access step-by-step guides to build traditional skills (sourdough, fresh milled flour, traditional foods, preserving, livestock, gardening, and more) plus full courses, workshops, and homestead business-building resources with a supportive network to help your homestead thrive.
Simple Sourdough Recipes for the Home Kitchen
Sourdough doesn’t have to be complicated.
If you’re overwhelmed, frustrated, or tired of wasting flour: I’ll show you how to bake confident, rustic sourdough without complicated techniques.
- Sourdough Hot Cross Buns: A Rustic Farmhouse Treat for Spring Mornings
- Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies (Soft, Chewy, and Perfectly Rustic)
- Sourdough Carrot Cake, A Cozy, From-Scratch Dessert with Old-Fashioned Charm
- The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Making a Sourdough Starter from Scratch
Fresh Milled Recipes
Healthy, whole grain recipes
Discover fresh milled flour recipes for bread, biscuits, pancakes, pastries, and more. Wholesome, from-scratch baking with whole grains for a nourishing, rustic kitchen.
- Fresh Milled Flour Quick Bread (Beginner Friendly)
- Fresh Milled Flour Biscuits (Soft, Flaky, and From-Scratch)
- Fresh Milled Sourdough Einkorn Bread, An Ancient Grain Loaf with Old-World Flavor
- Fresh Milled Chocolate Chip Cookies, A Cozy, From-Scratch Classic with Whole Grain Goodness
Small Space Gardening
Grow what you love.
Practical gardening tips for growing food in backyards, raised beds, and containers no matter how much space you have.
- The Best Vegetables to Grow in Small Spaces (High Yield, Low Effort)
- The Complete Companion Planting Chart for Every Vegetable
- Small-Space Gardening for Beginners: How to Grow Food Anywhere
- 25 Fastest Growing Vegetables for Quick Harvests (Beginner-Friendly & High Yield)
Hi, I’m Victoria!
I document our homesteading journey on YouTube: covering sourdough, fresh milled bread, gardening, and simple living. Click here to watch, learn, and be inspired to start your own homestead at home.
From-Scratch Cooking with Simple, Whole Ingredients
Real Food, Made at Home
Wholesome recipes and kitchen skills that bring you back to the basics: slow cooking, real ingredients, and nourishing meals made at home.
- Healthy Homemade Marshmallows, A Wholesome, Old-Fashioned Treat Made from Scratch
- Lavender Crêpe Cake (Light, Floral & Perfectly Rustic)
- Nourishing Bone Broth Hot Chocolate, A rich, cozy mug made with raw milk, cream, and real chocolate
- Spinach and Artichoke Sheepherder's Breakfast
Traditional Nourishment
Nourishing Traditions on the Homestead
Discover simple, nourishing foods and time-honored kitchen practices inspired by traditional wisdom to support your small-scale homestead lifestyle.
- Is Raw Milk Worth It? A Small-Scale Homesteader’s Guide
- How to Render Lard at Home (A Simple, Old-Fashioned Skill Every Homesteader Should Know)
- Raw Milk Sour Cream (How to Make Thick, Tangy Cultured Cream at Home)
- Water Glassing Eggs, A Simple, Old-Fashioned Way to Preserve Farm Fresh Eggs for Months
Simple, From-Scratch Living
Mindful, Simple Living
Discover gentle, practical ways to slow down and bring from-scratch rhythms into everyday life.
- The Ultimate Guide to Water Bath vs. Pressure Canning (A Step-by-Step, Old-Fashioned Comparison)
- Why Slow Living Works for Small-Scale Homesteaders
- Creating a Homestead Routine That Fits Your Life
- Healthy Holiday Gift Guide
