Ditch The Store

Have your hens suddenly stopped laying eggs? Before you panic and start questioning your chicken-keeping skills, take a breath.If it's winter, there's a good chance your girls haven't quit their jobs—they've simply gone on annual leave.In this episode of Ditch the Store, CJ explains why egg production drops (or stops completely) during winter, what a molt actually is, how daylight affects laying, and the practical steps you can take to help your flock through the season.You'll learn:🐔 Why shorter days—not cold weather—are usually responsible for reduced egg production🐔 What happens during a molt and why hens need this natural rest period🐔 How to tell the difference between a molting hen and a sick hen🐔 The best high-protein foods to support feather regrowth🐔 Common mistakes that can make a molt last longer🐔 Whether artificial lighting is worth using in a backyard flock🐔 What to expect as spring approaches and egg production returnsIf you've opened the nesting box lately and found nothing but disappointment, this episode is for you.✅ Join the Mojo Homestead mailing list: www.mojohomestead.net✅ Upcoming book: Eggs Without Cartons – the complete guide to raising chickens for fresh backyard eggs✅ Current book: Ditch the Store: From Brooder to PlateRemember: winter doesn't last forever, and neither does a molt. Feed them well, keep them healthy, and the eggs will return.🎧 Subscribe to Ditch the Store for practical homesteading advice on chickens, gardening, self-sufficiency, food security, and living a more independent life.#DitchTheStore #BackyardChickens #ChickenKeeping #EggProduction #MoltingChickens #HomesteadingAustralia #SelfSufficiency #FarmLife #MojoHomestead #RaiseYourOwnFoodMentioned in this episode:Brooder to Plate - USA and Kindle https://amzn.to/44yQr2LBrooder to Plate - Aussie version https://amzn.to/4eTcGnw✅ Join the Mojo Homestead mailing list: www.mojohomestead.net✅ Upcoming book: Eggs Without Cartons – the complete guide to raising chickens for fresh backyard eggs✅ Current book: Ditch the Store: From Brooder to PlateBrooder to Plate - USA and Kindle ⁠https://amzn.to/44yQr2L⁠Brooder to Plate - Aussie version ⁠https://amzn.to/4eTcGnw⁠Remember: winter doesn't last forever, and neither does a molt. Feed them well, keep them healthy, and the eggs will return.🎧 Subscribe to Ditch the Store for practical homesteading advice on chickens, gardening, self-sufficiency, food security, and living a more independent life.#DitchTheStore #BackyardChickens #ChickenKeeping #EggProduction #MoltingChickens #HomesteadingAustralia #SelfSufficiency #FarmLife #MojoHomestead #RaiseYourOwnFood

CJ covers seasonal planning for your first homesteading year, including what to prioritise in each season, how to avoid doing too much too fast, and why simple routines + record-keeping make everything easier. Main takeaway: keep it small, grow what your family eats, and review what worked so year two is easier. Also includes a quick personal update on CJ’s recovery and how it’s shaped this year’s plans.Canva 2026 Calendar Free to Use https://www.canva.com/design/DAHBSZ73834/_ANyUH2p76eAOtATkZBxug/view?utm_content=DAHBSZ73834&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink&mode=preview

Ditch the Store with CJ from Mojo Homestead🌱 www.mojohomestead.netThis week we’re taking a little detour — into the spiritual side of homesteading.Join CJ as she explores Lammas (also known as Lughnasadh) — an ancient Celtic harvest festival that marks the beginning of reaping what we’ve sown. Whether you’re into folklore, farming, food preserving, or just the rhythm of the seasons, this episode is all about connection — to the land, to the work, and to yourself.You don’t have to be religious or even spiritual to take something away from this episode. You just have to be someone who cares about your patch of dirt.🧭 In this episode:🍞 What is Lammas (Lughnasadh) and how does it connect to farming?🌾 Why this ancient grain festival still matters today📆 Seasonal transitions: letting go of summer, preparing for winter📓 How CJ is using journaling & gratitude to cope with injury and celebrate harvest wins🔥 Fire, sun & energy — symbolising the final push before winter sets in🐐 Stories from the farm: baby goats, first tomatoes, and the gift of homegrown joy🍲 Simple ways to mark the occasion — from baking your own bread to sharing a meal with your mob📣 CJ also shares:The role of Celtic heritage and earth-based traditions in her homestead lifeHow Lammas can be a time to reflect on effort vs rewardThe power of compost, soil care, and “giving back” to the landWhy you don’t need to grow eggplants if your family hates them 😉📝 Want to honour the season in your own way? Try this:Bake something using homegrown or local ingredientsLight a candle to mark the sun’s energyWrite a reflection on what you’re proud of this seasonOffer something back to the earth (compost, mulch, or simple thanks)Share your harvest wins with CJ over at @mojohomestead🎁 Grab the sourdough starter printable and more at:www.mojohomestead.net📸 Instagram & Facebook → @mojohomestead

🎧 Episode 147 – 12 Beginner Homesteading Mistakes to AvoidPodcast: Ditch the Store with CJ from Mojo Homestead🌱 www.mojohomestead.netLet’s be honest — when you’re starting out with homesteading, it’s easy to miss things you didn’t even know to think about. This week, CJ goes through the 12 most common beginner mistakes (yep, not 10 — she added extras she couldn’t leave out) and gives you practical tips on how to avoid each one.From fencing fails and foxes, to burnout, budgeting and bypassing the council… this is the stuff that trips people up early. Whether you're still dreaming or already knee-deep in goat poop, this episode will save you time, money, stress — and maybe even a few chickens 🐔.🧭 In this episode, CJ breaks it down into three groups:1. Practical MistakesNot securing animals properly (aka The Great Chicken Escape)Ignoring council rules and getting finedUnderestimating water needs and running drySkipping pest/disease prevention and losing stockNot tracking expenses or keeping records (future-you will thank you)2. Mindset MistakesDoing too much too fast (hello burnout)Romanticising the lifestyle (it's not all sourdough & sunshine)Getting stuck in research and not startingComparing your journey to others on Instagram or Pinterest3. Lifestyle MistakesNot factoring in time limits (work, kids, life)Not including your partner/familyForgetting to budget for animals, fencing, feed and gear🎯 Whether you’re a total newbie or feeling a bit overwhelmed, this episode is your permission slip to slow down and simplify.📝 Ready to get organised? Start tracking your homesteading journey with CJ’s journals:Check out our books and journals on Amazon📓Books Brooder to Plate - USA and Kindle https://amzn.to/44yQr2L Brooder to Plate - Aussie version https://amzn.to/4eTcGnw📓JournalsBeekeeping Journal https://amzn.to/46iNapz Chicken Keeping Journal https://amzn.to/44QgctYGoatkeeping Journal https://amzn.to/4lzYGSaFarm Management Journal https://amzn.to/4eSFfRL📚 Coming soon: “From Brooder to Breakfast: Raising Chickens for Eggs Without the Carton” & “Bread to Plate” — stay tuned!🌐 Grab freebies, printable checklists, and get on the email list at:www.mojohomestead.net📸 Tag your real-life homesteading wins (mud and all):Instagram & Facebook → @mojohomestead

Hey everyone, and welcome to Episode 145 of Ditch the Store!We’re officially a week into 2026 (can you believe it?), and after a cracking start with last week’s beginner episode, this week I’m diving into the big question: What even is homesteading?Because let’s face it — everyone seems to have their own definition. From off-grid living to growing herbs on a balcony, homesteading can mean very different things depending on where you live, what you have, and what you’re aiming for.In this episode, I’m unpacking:🏡 The real (and historical) definition of homesteading🌱 The difference between homesteading and farming👩‍🌾 What homesteading looked like for me growing up — and how it’s evolved🐓 Key elements like self-sufficiency, food preservation, backyard chickens, and more🧼 The skills you might need (yes, even soap-making counts!)🧘‍♀️ Busting the myths: You don’t need to quit your job or move to the bush✍️ How to define your version of homesteading — and why that’s what truly mattersWhether you’re working full-time in the city, wrangling kids in suburbia, or halfway to building a goat shed on a few acres, this episode will help you clarify your goals and get honest about what homesteading means to you.🌿 Grab your FREE resources and join the newsletter👉 www.mojohomestead.netIncludes the 7 Must-Knows for Backyard Chicken Keeping – great for newbies and seasoned chook-lovers alike!👕 Browse practical homesteading gear & gifts👉 www.notthefarmerswife.comT-shirts, linens, tools, and more for actual homesteaders (not Instagram ones 😉)📚 Books by CJ SteedmanBrooder to PlateEggs Without Cartons – coming soon!🧑‍🏫 Backyard Chicken Course – Reopening Soon!A practical, down-to-earth online course for first-time chicken keepersKeep an eye on www.mojohomestead.net or follow me on socials for the launch date👩‍💻 Join the new Mojo Homestead SKOOL communityShare your wins, ask questions, and connect with others on the homesteading journey.Free to join – details at mojohomestead.netGot a 2026 homesteading goal? Let me know!📸 Tag me @mojohomestead on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok when you:Bake your first sourdoughMake a bar of soapGet those first backyard chickensDitch one more thing from the storeBecause remember — every single time you skip the shops, you’re homesteading. And that’s worth celebrating 💚How Much Land Do You Actually Need to Homestead?Spoiler: It’s probably less than you think. Whether you’ve got a balcony or 100 acres, we’ll break it down and look at what’s truly needed to grow, raise, or make your own.