Blending Lumbee Foodways and Indigenous Wisdom with Modern Living for a Self-Sufficient Family.

On the homestead, we learn to treasure every part of the harvest. We celebrate the deep satisfaction of turning simple ingredients into nourishing meals. But some dishes do more than just feed the body; they tell the story of where you come from. For me, few things are as culturally meaningful as the Collard Sandwich —a true staple of my Lumbee heritage  from North Carolina. If you’ve never had one, you might be picturing a cold-cut sandwich with a leafy garnish. Think again.

Hi there! I'm Anastasia Oxendine, and if you're here, you're likely curious about a life that's a little more connected to the earth. Welcome! This space is where I share the journey of my family and me as we build a more self-sufficient life, one recipe and one new skill at a time. It All Started with a Few Chickens The dream of a homesteading life wasn't even on my radar, but it became my reality in 2020. My family and I took a leap of faith and purchased our first four ch

There is a specific kind of satisfaction that comes from looking at a row of golden jars filled with homemade chicken broth. Whether that broth started with a chicken you raised in your own backyard or a whole bird you picked up at the grocery store, you are looking at "liquid gold"—a nutrient-dense, flavorful base that beats the store-bought cartons every single time. A Quick Note:  This post contains affiliate links for the kitchen tools I use and love (like my favorite p