The Prairie Homestead

Homesteading | Self Sufficient Living | Living off the Land

Jill Winger

16 Comments | |    Last Updated: October 6, 2020

Sprouted Flour Cookies

With no refined sugar, white flour, or hydrogenated fats, you can feel good about mixing up a batch of these cookies for your family. They are so healthy, you could almost eat these cookies for breakfast... (Not that I would ever dream of doing such a thing... *a-hem*) The yield of this recipe is rather small, so I would recommend doubling (or tripling) it if you have hardcore cookie-eaters in your house. If you are new to the ...Continue Reading

44 Comments | |    Last Updated: January 16, 2023

How to Make Sprouted Flour

Many people are of the opinion that grains are most optimally digested when they are prepared in a certain way. Why does it matter how grains are prepared? Well, since grains and wheat are seeds, they were designed to pass through any "predators" that might consume them. Unfortunately, that can make them difficult for us humans to digest. It is thought that by allowing the whole wheat flour to soak in an acid medium, or ferment ...Continue Reading

14 Comments | |    Last Updated: June 13, 2023

Easy Crockpot Chili Recipe

After a winter's day doing projects outside on the homestead, you just can't beat homemade chili. The best part about this crockpot chili recipe is that it is incredibly forgiving. Use any type of meat you like, and definitely play around with the spices and seasonings too. Dump it all into your slow cooker ahead of time so you can enjoy the day's activities with the rest of the clan, without having to fuss over the meal. And ...Continue Reading

61 Comments | |    Last Updated: March 11, 2019

How to De-Skunk a Dog

Critters are a fact of life on a homestead... And not just the domesticated ones, but the wild ones too. That includes coyotes, rattlesnakes, badgers, raccoon, porcupines, antelope with their babies, plenty of mice, and a couple of skunks. We also have three very curious, very territorial dogs who are extremely interested in whomever and whatever may enter our place... I don't really even need to go on, do I? My frugal ...Continue Reading

6 Comments | |    Last Updated: April 19, 2016

Homestead Goals 2011

I am so excited for my real food adventures during this new year! I can't wait to plant my garden- there are many things that didn't quite work as well as I was hoping last year, and I can't wait to tweak things and try some new ideas and methods. I also am very excited for our new batch of baby goats that should be born in March! And of course, with new baby goats comes lots of milk to play with! Soon, berries and tomatoes will be ...Continue Reading

24 Comments | |    Last Updated: June 13, 2023

Rustic Sausage & Potato Soup

When winter arrives in Wyoming, with it comes freezing temps and bitter wind. There is nothing I love more than coming in from doing evening chores and having the smell of a comforting soup greet you at the door. Not only is this rustic soup the perfect meal for a cozy night at home, it also makes a fantastic supper for guests when served alongside a loaf of chewy french bread. Rustic Sausage & Potato Soup 6-7 potatoes. ...Continue Reading

Nice to Meet You

I’m Jill. I’ve never been very good at following prescribed paths.

For the last 15 years, that instinct has led me through homesteading, entrepreneurship, and creating a life my younger self could have only dreamed of.

These days, I’m less interested in living the perfect "old-fashioned life" and more interested in knowing which ideas are worth carrying forward. The first half of this story was about building a homestead. The next part is about building a life that actually fits.
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