
Announcement… please re-read the guidelines for submission (below) so you can be sure your post matches the spirit and theme of this blog hop. Please do not submit giveaway posts. Also, please remember to link your post to one of the host blogs!
The Simple Lives Thursday Blog Hop
Welcome to Simple Lives Thursday, a blog hop dedicated to simple living. “Consume less, produce more. ” So many topics fit: Gardening, raising animals, cooking from scratch, real food, natural cleaners, sewing, recycling, thrifting, a mindset of simplicity, saving a buck…
This blog hop is hosted by (for the time being, due to hosts taking breaks):
- Alicia @ Culinary Bliss
- Diana @ A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa
- And me!
Featured Posts from Last Week’s Submissions

We really enjoy reading your posts each week! Featured post bloggers, please grab the badge above and display it on your site! Link it to one of the host blogs’ posts for the specific week that you were featured.
Here are our picks from last week’s submissions. Thanks to all who participated — it is always hard to choose!

1. Homestead Decor: DIY Chicken Wire Frame by Prairie Homestead. A totally cute rustic re-do for an old frame!

2. Trusting a Plan… or how to make needle felted coasters by A Seed Inspired. Not only a tutorial on how to make needle felted coasters, but lovely insights into how God leads us according to His plan.

3. Planning to Preserve in the Coming Year – Part 1 of 3 by Foy Update. Foy shares her preserving plans for this coming year and encouragment for others to do the same.
Share Your Simple Lives Thursday Post
Bloggers, make a “Simple Lives Thursday” post on your own blog, then come back here to add your post to the linky box below the featured posts. If you don’t have a picture, feel free to download the Simple Lives Thursday banner (at top of post) and upload it using the script’s prompts (it is easy). Your post will appear on all host blogs!
Non-bloggers, feel free to add a comment here with any ideas or thoughts about simple living.
These are three simple guidelines for participation:
1. If linking real, traditional and simple recipes, please make sure all ingredients used are whole — such as whole grains, vegetables, legumes, meats, even sugar. In order to keep the integrity of “nourishing” food, we will delete any recipes that utilize processed, boxed foods. We are definitely not going to be ingredient policemen! But, please note that this is a hop hosted by advocates of the real, local and sustainable food movements.
2. Please link your posts back to one of the hosting blogs. This is a common blog hop courtesy. This link helps build the Simple Lives Thursday community by sending your readers to all of the other participants’ posts. We all end up sharing and learning from each other.
3. No giveaway away or otherwise primarily advertising oriented posts. Keep your topics to fit our simple living theme of “consume less, produce more.” We will delete posts that don’t fit.
What will you share this week? We all look forward to your submissions!
If reading this via email, visit this post to see the list of linked blogs.













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Hi Wardee,
I am posting another heirloom recipe this week, my great grandmother’s orange cake: http://www.lonehomeranger.com/2012/01/annies-orange-cake.html
I am also sharing some tips I’ve learned about striking the nitrogen-carbon balance in compost: http://www.lonehomeranger.com/2011/12/post-about-compost.html
Thanks for hosting!
Hi Wardee,
I shared my video for making homemade yogurt (SCD/GAPS) and a guest post about gluten-free sourdough baking. Also a video for making Lacto-Fermented Beet Kvass. Lastly, as article about the benefits of sourdough leavening.
Join me in my Probiotic Foods Challenge starting January 9 at Real Food Forager!
http://realfoodforager.com/28-day-probiotic-food-challenge-signup/
And link up your cultured and fermented foods here!
http://realfoodforager.com/probiotic-food-challenge-linky/
Thanks for hosting!
Whoo! Thanks so much for featuring my DIY Chicken Wire Frame!
The post I’m linking up this week is a continuation of the series and includes more rustic decorating ideas. Have a great Thursday!
Thanks for hosting! I shared a coconut oil review and a post on how to use coconut oil for skin care.
Good morning, Wardee! It looks like you’ve been as busy as ever with your new fundamentals class. It looks really great! This week I’m sharing our homemade taco seasoning recipe as well as a weekly menu plan, including two snacks a day and recipe links. Have a blessed week!
http://www.riddlelove.com/2012/01/weekly-menu-plan-13-keeping-warm-comfy.html
Thanks for hosting!!!
Good morning Wardee,
Thanks for hosting. I’m sharing a yummy vegan salad that still has nice protein and lots of flavor. Have a great week.
Hi Wardee,
Thanks for hosting! This week I am sharing my personal goals for 2012, and I am calling them goals rather than resolutions, because so many fail at resolutions. I am also encouraging people to strive for things that are realistic and within their reach, so as to not create more stress.
As the temp’s dip down again this week reminding me it actually IS winter here in Nebraska, I made an awesome find of some grass-fed beef soup bones in my deep freeze! So, naturally, I wanted to roast them and make a soup right away: http://bit.ly/ybAKBn Thanks for hosting!
Thank you for hosting! I shared my Apple & Cardamom Muffin recipe this week!
Hi Wardee! Hope you and your family are well. This week I posted on how to start a natural food buying club. Organic, pasture-raised and natural products can be expensive, but with a buying club you may never pay retail for them again!
http://www.smallfootprintfamily.com/how-to-start-a-food-buying-club
Thanks for hosting Wardee! I’ve linked up my recipe for homemade ginger ale.
Howdy! Today I shared a recipe for Veggie Enchiladas. To keep the dish lower in sodium, we make each component- tortillas, cheese, sauce, and beans- ourselves. It seems like a lot of work, but is truly worth it. Thanks for hosting!
Stealthy Mom recently posted… Veggie Enchiladas (gluten free and vegan options)
Thanks for hosting! I linked to a post today about baking your own bread and included links to recipes for double-rise commercial yeast, Dutch oven breads, sourdough breads and a have a brief tutorial on how to catch your own starter!
There are so many great links today! Thanks for hosting this link-up!
Thanks for hosting, Wardee.
Today I linked up the second post in my “Getting Started” series, “New to Home Food Preservation – Start Here” – http://www.commonsensehome.com/new-to-food-preserving-start-here/
I was blessed today with a surfeit of garden seeds from a neighbor, more than I could possibly use myself. (Her son works at a store that was clearing out back inventory.) Looking forward to sharing the bounty.
It feels a bit like Christmas.
Laurie
Hi, Wardee! I shared my homemade ice cream sandwich cookies recipe today. Hope you’re having a blessed week! Blessings, Kelly
Thanks for hosting! I’m sharing my Top 10 Health Posts and Rich Coffee Substitute! I think I’ve got a really nice recipe down for those who’d like to try to get off of caffeine!
Hi Wardee!
This week I am sharing my latest REAL FOOD 101 post on how to make shellfish stock, as well as my post on how to start the GAPS Challenge.
http://www.ournourishingroots.com/real-food-101-how-to-make-shellfish-stock/
Thanks for hosting!! I posted my three bean chili and chips recipes. Hope you enjoy!!
http://www.painfreepregnancy.org/2012/01/three-bean-chili-and-chips.html
Kristi recently posted… Pizza
hello! my name is caroline. I just posted my new recipe, i am new to blogging. thanks for hosting
come check it out at http://gutsyhealth.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/gaps-pancakes/
caroline recently posted… My GAPS kitchen gadgets
Thanks for hosting all these wonderful recipes. Will add a few of my own shortly.
Ellie
Thank you so much for hosting this delightful linky!
I have entered a post close to my heart this week #102 Brainpower Smoothie.
My eldest daughter is a little stressed and overworked as her final school exams approach and I really wanted to help her. I spent time researching which foods would help her to concentrate for many hours at a time, and also memory. only choosing ingredients that had been scientifically proven to be effective in boosting brainpower I concocted the ultimate brain food recipe AND IT WORKS, IT REALLY DOES! My daughter found improvements in her ability to think, almost straight away and I just had to share this with you. In the post I have detailed why I have included each ingredient as well as the Brainpower Smoothie recipe. It would be great if you’d pop over and leave a comment on my comment luv x
Rebecca recently posted… Are You Struggling with a Picky Eater?