The Hands-on Home: A Seasonal Guide to Cooking, Preserving & Natural Homekeeping

Discover a practical, modern guide to sustainable living with The Hands-On Home—perfect for families, beginners, and anyone ready to build real life skills at home.


Whether you're interested in homesteading, simplifying your routines, or creating a meaningful home school experience, this hands-on resource helps you take control of everyday essentials.

What you’ll learn:
• Cook with confidence
Stock your kitchen, plan meals, and prepare simple, family-friendly recipes using seasonal ingredients.
• Preserve food the practical way
Master water-bath canning, pressure canning, and fermentation with a clear, seasonal calendar—ideal for homesteading and reducing waste.
• Create natural home & body products
Make safe, non-toxic essentials like cleaners, bath items, and laundry solutions.

Why families love this book:
• A powerful tool for teaching life skills through hands-on learning
• Perfect for homeschooling or adding depth to a home economics curriculum
• Encourages independence, creativity, and real-world knowledge
• Helps save money while reducing reliance on store-bought goods

Designed for beginners and experienced makers alike, this guide blends inspiration with practical instruction you can use year-round.

Build confidence, self-sufficiency, and essential life skills—one season at a time.

Erica Strauss is the founder of Northwest Edible Life, one of the most popular and well-respected urban-homesteading and gardening blogs in the country. A professionally trained chef, she shares her fun and punchy perspective on garden-to-table eating and living a slower life though her writings. Erica was featured in Best Food Writing 2013 and regularly writes for national cooking and gardening magazines.