In this laid-back summer episode, I’m sharing a few things that have been making life sweeter lately—from a nostalgic radio habit to a bread machine I never thought I’d love. I talk about letting go of homesteading perfectionism, the iced tea blend I’m drinking on repeat, and why I’m finally embracing my crockpot in the summer. If you're looking for low-pressure inspiration, practical swaps, and a little dose of seasonal joy, this one's for you.

👉 Mentioned in this episode: • Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver • My Compact Cuisinart bread machine • Summer crockpot meals • My favorite iced herbal tea blend • Greenstalk planter sale • …and why I’ve turned the radio back on

🎧 Tune in and get inspired to slow it down this summer—90s-style.

Is rosemary just a fall and winter herb? Not anymore. In this episode, we’re exploring all the surprising ways to use rosemary right now—while it’s thriving in the heat and taking over the garden beds.

We talk about:

• Why rosemary thrives in summer (and how to grow it better)

• What makes rosemary so powerful as an herbal remedy (hello, memory + mood boost)

• Everyday ways to use rosemary in the summer—from scalp rinses and herbal oils to bug spray and fire starters

• How to preserve rosemary now so you’ll have it ready for fall cooking and winter remedies

Plus, I share some of the rosemary-based DIYs that are already on the blog and a couple new ones going up this week—including rosemary salt and infused oil.

If your rosemary plant is bursting at the seams or you’ve just never known what to do with it in the warmer months, this episode is full of inspiration.

🌿 Resources + Links:

• DIY Herbal Bug Spray

• Homemade Thieves-Style Herbal Cleaner

• Decongestant Chest Salve (Vapor Rub Style)

🎧 Listen + Share: If you enjoy this episode, please leave a 5-star written review! It helps more folks find the podcast—and we’re on a mission to hit 100,000 downloads by fall. 💛

This summer hasn’t felt quite as peaceful as I hoped—and maybe you’re feeling the same. In this episode, I’m opening up about the stress I’ve been feeling lately, even while trying to do all the things to slow down. If you’ve ever felt like natural living was starting to feel more stressful than supportive, this conversation is for you.

We’ll walk through what I call my “ladder of intervention”—a gentle framework I use to decide when to reach for lifestyle changes, herbal support, or something stronger. I’m also sharing my go-to stress tea recipe, the story of how I got off anxiety meds with herbs, and a brand-new tincture recipe that supports your nervous system and your heart.

🌿 Make the Calm Heart Tincture: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/heart-tincture/

🍵 Get the Stress + Anxiety Herbal Tea Recipe: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/best-herbal-tea-recipe-for-anxiety/

📱 DM me on Instagram: @brittanylgibson

If this episode gave you some peace or a fresh perspective, would you share it with a friend who might need it too? Or leave a quick review to help more homesteaders and natural living mamas find the show?

Thanks for being here, friend. We’re in this together. 💛