For anyone who has ever dreamed of slowing down, growing their own food, or just ditching processed stuff for a more intentional way of living, without having to move to a 40 acre farm in the middle of nowhere, this book is for you.

Victoria Pruett does such a great job of breaking down homesteading into manageable, real life steps that feel accessible no matter where you live (yes, even in a small backyard or an apartment). Her tone is friendly and encouraging, never judgmental, and she’s honest about the fact that most of us don’t have eight hours a day to bake bread or grow tomatoes.

From sourdough tips and scratch recipes to gardening basics, canning, and raising backyard chickens, she covers a lot of ground without making it overwhelming. I especially loved the deep pantry tips and the reminder that food security doesn't have to mean prepping for the end of the world, but it can just mean peace of mind for your family.

If you're even a little curious about how to bring more simple, self-sufficient habits into your life, whether it’s growing herbs on a windowsill or trying out your first loaf of homemade bread, then this book is a great place to start. It’s both practical and inspiring, and I’m definitely bookmarking a bunch of sections to return to.

Highly recommend for anyone craving a slower, more grounded lifestyle without having to go totally off grid.

Thank you to NetGalley, Victoria Pruett, and Lyons Press for the eARC of this book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Victoria Pruett and Lyons Press.

Creating a Modern Homestead shows us that we can go back to a slower way of life, a more self-sufficient way of life, a healthier way of life, even if we can’t live in the country. This book is a must have for anyone wanting to learn the basics of from scratch cooking, preserving food, stocking a pantry, making your own sourdough, or even raising your own chickens.