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.
- Raising Ducks for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started
- Beginner-Friendly Homestead Side Hustles That Actually Work
- How Many Chickens Should a Beginner Start With? (A Practical Guide for First-Time Flocks)
- How to Start a Homestead on a Budget (Simple, Practical Steps That Actually Work)
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 Hand Pies (Flaky, Golden & Perfect for Using Sourdough Discard)
- Sourdough Vanilla Cake (Soft, Rustic, and Perfect for Using Sourdough Discard)
- Sourdough Artisan Bread (Rustic, Crusty & Naturally Leavened)
- Sourdough Lemon Loaf: A Bright, Tender Loaf Made with Active Starter or Discard
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.
- How to Convert Any Recipe to Fresh Milled Flour (Simple Guide for Home Bakers)
- Fresh Milled Waffles (Crisp Outside, Tender Inside)
- Where to Buy Wheat Berries to Mill Your Own Flour (A Guide to Sourcing Whole Grains)
- Fresh Milled Flour Dinner Rolls (Soft, Rustic, and From-Scratch)
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.
- How to Install Drip Irrigation (A Simple, Water-Wise Garden Solution)
- How to Compost at Home (The Simple, No-Stress Way for Homesteaders)
- How to Grow Tomatoes: The Complete Beginner’s Guide
- How to Protect Your Garden from Hail (Before and After the Storm)
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.
- How to Make Elderberry Syrup (A Simple, Immune-Supporting Recipe)
- Canned Tomato Sauce (Water Bath Safe & From Scratch)
- Earl Grey Tea Cake (Soft, Cozy & Perfect with a Cup of Tea)
- Healthy Homemade Marshmallows, A Wholesome, Old-Fashioned Treat Made from Scratch
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.
- How to Make Mozzarella Cheese in the Instant Pot (Simple, Rustic, and Foolproof)
- 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)
Simple, From-Scratch Living
Mindful, Simple Living
Discover gentle, practical ways to slow down and bring from-scratch rhythms into everyday life.
- Farmhouse Easter Dinner: A Warm, Rustic Menu for a Meaningful Spring Gathering
- How to Build a Homestead Pantry From Scratch (A Simple, Step-by-Step Guide)
- Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs: A Simple, Rustic Tradition for Spring
- The Ultimate Guide to Water Bath vs. Pressure Canning (A Step-by-Step, Old-Fashioned Comparison)
