Most days I have a “What Would Tara Do” ponderance. But then I never write it down and here I am AGAIN without my questions to ask you!
No matter because I LOVE sitting and listening to your Q&As and all of the beautiful questions that get asked for me, and all of your expansive reflections and experiences are shared.
I have missed you and I’m so happy that you are back in our funny little internet lives 🧡
Hi! Appreciate this and the open chat! Just had my first little 5 weeks ago. Holy cow this is life and Gods greatest glory! I find I now have a million questions about a million things but I am trying to stop asking so many questions and start tapping into that motherly intuition so I can learn to speak her language. But I’d love to hear your thoughts and experience with holiday characters like Santa & the Easter bunny! I’m stuck between thoughts of childhood mystical wonder and the new cultural norm of consumerism that has taken over.
This is such a challenging one! We have 2 tiny people, and even with our choice to abstain from these stories, the grandparents kind of...do it anyways. Plus there's other kids around who really buy into it. Our appeoach has been just to explain that these are fun, magical stories like we read in books, but the gifts really come from folks who work hard and desire to be generous and kind, just like birthdays!
Hey Kara, you didn’t ask me (haha) but I thought I’d share- for me, Father Christmas is real. I mean it. He is the spirit of giving and revelry that overtakes me during the holidays. I tell my son (4yrs) very straight faced that Santa is real because to me, in my heart, he is.
The Easter bunny will be uncovered sooner but I don’t even consider my views on Santa “lying”.
I’d love to hear Tara’s response on this as well. My husband and I have a two year old daughter, and we are still just really uncertain which route we want to go!
Loved hearing all your thoughts on this! The other concern I had was the fact that we don’t want to buy a ton of gifts for the sake of a ton of gifts. We want Christmas to be about tradition and family and giving and togetherness, not presents. Those are just a nice bonus! So if our child got one or two gifts from Santa, how do we explain her cousins or friends getting 10, 15+ from Santa!
Yep, that’s our biggest reason to not play the Santa game. It is still a ‘magical’ time of year if you make it so. I have told my four year old that Santa is based upon Saint Nicholas, we’ve read about him and then he can be enchanted as he chooses but I tell him truth.
I want to know - when you are faced with a health issue and need to do some research, what resources do you turn to? A google search is NOT my cup of tea. I want real health info, not that approved by the internet gods. What websites, books, podcasts, people, etc. do you turn to when you need to dive into a health issue, educate yourself about it, and learn how to heal/nourish/navigate it?
Hey Tara! I’m wondering if you would ever consider printing and publishing your “in my kitchen/around the farm” posts into a beautiful book? I’d buy it. Lots of info there, beautiful photography, etc. Something for you to ponder I hope? You should!
Tara - so excited to hear your voice! 😂 I would love to ask you - is there one or a couple things you’ve had revelations about or changed opinions about in the past couple months while you’ve been “offline”? I feel like that could be a fun way to catch up with what’s been happening for you
1. I'm wondering if you make apple cider, what your approach is and what you use for it?
2. I am also curious how to keep all fowl birds together in winter? Not sure if you do this? I was thinking, chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys. How do you manage the different foods or do they all eat the same?
3. Could you go more in-depth on your daughter's hair washing approach? You mentioned egg yolks, honey and bentonite clay. Does she always mix the honey and egg yolks for washing or does she alternate the two?
Hi! Just wanted to share that I have been doing honey/yolk masks--not sure if thats how Tara and her daughter do it, but inspired by them-- and my bum length hair is so clean and soft. I mix one yolk with 2 tbsp honey, then massage it into my scalp about an hour before I shower, then tie my hair up. Then just rinse with lukewarm water while bathing. It's surprisingly great!
I just whip two room temp eggs in a jar, rinse my hair in the shower and then massage in the eggs, wrap hair up in a bun while I rinse/wash the rest of my body, and then rinse the eggs out with cold/warm water (not hot!). I do this once every week or two and really like it!
Rosie, do you use whole eggs? My daughter and I looked into this, and it seems some people use just yolks, some use just whites, and some used whole eggs. I haven’t tried any yet, but I’m wondering different hair types make a difference.
I do use whole eggs. This seems to work really well for me. It cuts the grease and leaves my hair soft and 'clean'. It's so amazing! I feel incredibly empowered to use eggs from my chickens instead of plastic shampoo bottles with long lists of crazy ingredients. So simple!
I second question about hair care - washing, dyeing and any new discoveries in that area. Me personally - I use my home made hair soap ( oils+lye) for a year already. It feels okey, although cant say it washes everything- the hair is slightly oily after ( sometimes I rinse with ACV, but it gives smell:) I alternate it with soap nuts liquid, still not happy as it seems both soap and nuts strip something away…
I checked the ph of my hair soap -its app 7- might be the soaps overall are to harsh for the hair?
I have some grey hair and using for dyeing organic henna+other plant mix+eg yolk to stay during night. I also using hydrosol spray on my hair.
In summary I am not happy with the results from these simple natural care products. It seems conventional Johnsonn shampoo was leaving hair better( and I was never using other additional products for my hair).
Hello Tara! You, and this group, have been so instrumental in my life and a source of guidance that I will be forever grateful. I've been a long time subscriber, but have not interacted very much, so here it goes! One question I have is how you navigate your own food/lifestyle beliefs and the generosity of those who have a different standard of living. For example, I'm constantly teaching my younger children why our food matters and what to consider when making choices around food, and yet I also want them to be grateful and accepting when others prepare meals that may not be what we're used to eating (or perhaps things I've taught my children to avoid). I do believe that sharing a meal with friends and family is more than the food, but also the relationships and coversations that emerge from the dinner table - and that the effort it takes to put together a meal is worthy of appreciation regardless of what the food may be, but I find myself not really knowing how to teach my children the nuances around health, community and kindness. Do you have any advice on how to navigate this? We have slowly tried to align ourselves with more like-minded friends, which of course filters out into other aspects of our lives beyond food, but they are still the minority. Thank you again for all that you do to inspire and guide us all here. Jessica
Hello! I am wondering about mowing and weed-wacking! I have a fantasy that we will get to the point where we can soley use our animals to manage the rapid growths on our property here in Vermont, but we are far from it currently. I use one of those plastic string weed-wackers...and am not liking the little bits of plastic being scattered about. Just curious what you guys do and use in your current set up...to inspire me to shift my ways. Ever grateful for you!
Hello Tara ☺️ So nice to hear your voice again. I am deeply intrigued by the great success of your freeze dried meals and would love to hear all about the freeze dryer you own, if you recommend that brand, and any other tips and tricks that pop to mind? Thank-you dear. Caylee
Hi Tara! I was wondering how you keep your head on straight during these times. More specifically, I’m pregnant and have been thinking a lot about the state of the world. I live in a suburb close to a large city and despite actively avoiding the news and not using social media, I find out things regardless. I know there’s a fine balance between being informed and knowing too much (especially all the negative stuff), but it’s been hard… especially when I think of the life my husband and I are bringing into this world. Any tips for surrendering and focusing on the positive? I’m sure it’s normal jitters, but I’d love your perspective on this. Thank you ♥️
Sophie, I think it's important to remember that we all walk upon this earth at the exact time that we are meant to and that the precious life that you carry beneath your heart is meant to be here now. We all have work to do on this earth and those spirits coming through right now know their purpose. I see this and remember this with my own children when I feel the weight of world on my shoulders. They are the warriors, here to fight for life and the earth and truth. You are amazing in saying YES and guiding this little one earthside! Do not be swept away by fear. Trust.
I would like to ask about God, how do you experience God?
My life has been a spiritual buffet, going from place to place, group to group to seek Truth and God, I often come back to the stillness of nature and experience peace which I recognise comes from God.
What do you suppose happens to us when we leave our bodies?
Opening up this conversation, not looking for a particular answer just curious of what your humble thoughts and views on God are?
Love this question, Eartha. We've just started taking our boys to church, though our families look down on it. We were struggling to find community with shared values, and this is how we found it. I've always been deep with the concept of God, but struggle a bit with the Jesus concept. I love hearing these discussions, as they open up my mind a lot
This question also popped into my head Eartha. I’ve been having pulls towards god (and I think Jesus as well), wanting to be intentional about bringing things into my life and my fiancé as we think about family. I grew up Quaker, then Buddhist in my 20’s mostly but that’s not feeling right anymore. But I’ve had much trouble with the Bible, probably a mixture of so many concepts being lost in hundreds of translations, and years of religion being manipulated for evil. Not that we need labels or concepts for everything - I’m just intrigued
Yes Erica, Jesus has come to me in the last two years recently. He really speaks to me but like you I just have real trouble with the ways in which the world has used His name. I would be interested to hear Tara's response and musings on this and her experiences.
I recently started my first farming job as an apprentice on a wonderful organic, grass based, farm. We use an oxen team to move our chicken coop through the fields daily and their water comes from a hose that is connected to a larger irrigation line. It’s starting to get sunny and warm here and the other day, as I was turning the water on for the birds, I noticed a plastic like smell. I tasted the water coming from the hose and immediately spit it out. It tasted like plastic. It made me feel so discouraged because I thought that we were doing things right on the farm and eating such amazing food. What would you say to this? How do you keep your animals watered without using plastic hoses?
Hopefully I’ve made it to the right place now for q&a submissions! This is my first submission and still learning this app. :) appreciate the grace in learning.
I remember a post from years ago talking about deworming (humans). I’ve tried several of the parasite cleanses on myself but didn’t receive the extraordinary benefits others raved about… guidance on herbs to deworm myself and my children. One of whom complains of an itchy bum and I feel in my gut I need to address it here, thank you.
I would love to see your poultry houses. Do you have multiple types of birds together or everyone gets their own space?
Hello Tara, it's been such a blessing to have you back at such a massive time of upheaval in my life, your writing and thoughts are so grounding.
This is a boring one, but I am BORED - I currently have sitting my my freezer 8kg of offal and steak mince and I am so bored of it (we've already eaten our way through 8kg). Any yummy ways you prep it?
Can I be sneaky and ask one more? I'm curious if you stuck to pure carnivore? It looks like you're eating some form of plants?
Sending sunshiney vibes from a (rare) sunny day in England.
I have also been very curious about the introduction of plants back into your diet - how have you done this, what have you introduced (potatoes?!) , what seems to be working and what isn't, how you feel, how you plan to move forward - coming from one who has been on an animal based diet for over a year (with some incredible results), but yearning for more and experimenting a bit and nervous about sending my body backwards.
I have no questions of my own currently, but I so love listening to your answers. I always find some new bit of information to explore that had never even crossed my mind 😊
I experienced the absence of these Q+As like one misses the summer in the wintertime - a longing combined with gratitude for the present season. Thank you, as always, for sharing your reflections as well as prompts to be suffused in the great now.
I recognize that the life you live now has come to be over years of work and planning and learning and patience. Can you speak to navigating 'limitations' of your current setting i.e. military housing, limited access to land, etc. while also working towards the vision you had for your family? Sometimes I experience overwhelm in making decisions and weighing values, and would love some perspective. For example, the farmers market offers local meat and produce, but it's not always pastured raised or organic vs. the supermarket may have organic options but it's shipped in from who knows where. I know labels can be a crock, but how might you prioritize local vs. organic if they are not both? If you were to go to a restaurant, do you simply prioritize a protein-heavy meal regardless of its source, opt to eat beforehand, or decline the invitation all together? Of course I'd love to have a deeper connection to my food sources and produce more myself, but this is where I am right now in life. How do you weigh potentially conflicting values i.e. connection with others, food, budgets, space, etc. while also balancing current circumstances with vision of future life? Thank you thank you :)
Most days I have a “What Would Tara Do” ponderance. But then I never write it down and here I am AGAIN without my questions to ask you!
No matter because I LOVE sitting and listening to your Q&As and all of the beautiful questions that get asked for me, and all of your expansive reflections and experiences are shared.
I have missed you and I’m so happy that you are back in our funny little internet lives 🧡
Hi! Appreciate this and the open chat! Just had my first little 5 weeks ago. Holy cow this is life and Gods greatest glory! I find I now have a million questions about a million things but I am trying to stop asking so many questions and start tapping into that motherly intuition so I can learn to speak her language. But I’d love to hear your thoughts and experience with holiday characters like Santa & the Easter bunny! I’m stuck between thoughts of childhood mystical wonder and the new cultural norm of consumerism that has taken over.
This is such a challenging one! We have 2 tiny people, and even with our choice to abstain from these stories, the grandparents kind of...do it anyways. Plus there's other kids around who really buy into it. Our appeoach has been just to explain that these are fun, magical stories like we read in books, but the gifts really come from folks who work hard and desire to be generous and kind, just like birthdays!
Hey Kara, you didn’t ask me (haha) but I thought I’d share- for me, Father Christmas is real. I mean it. He is the spirit of giving and revelry that overtakes me during the holidays. I tell my son (4yrs) very straight faced that Santa is real because to me, in my heart, he is.
The Easter bunny will be uncovered sooner but I don’t even consider my views on Santa “lying”.
I’d love to hear Tara’s response on this as well. My husband and I have a two year old daughter, and we are still just really uncertain which route we want to go!
Loved hearing all your thoughts on this! The other concern I had was the fact that we don’t want to buy a ton of gifts for the sake of a ton of gifts. We want Christmas to be about tradition and family and giving and togetherness, not presents. Those are just a nice bonus! So if our child got one or two gifts from Santa, how do we explain her cousins or friends getting 10, 15+ from Santa!
I also struggle with “lying” about something to her?!
Yep, that’s our biggest reason to not play the Santa game. It is still a ‘magical’ time of year if you make it so. I have told my four year old that Santa is based upon Saint Nicholas, we’ve read about him and then he can be enchanted as he chooses but I tell him truth.
Thanks Tara!
I want to know - when you are faced with a health issue and need to do some research, what resources do you turn to? A google search is NOT my cup of tea. I want real health info, not that approved by the internet gods. What websites, books, podcasts, people, etc. do you turn to when you need to dive into a health issue, educate yourself about it, and learn how to heal/nourish/navigate it?
This is a great question!
Hey Tara! I’m wondering if you would ever consider printing and publishing your “in my kitchen/around the farm” posts into a beautiful book? I’d buy it. Lots of info there, beautiful photography, etc. Something for you to ponder I hope? You should!
Tara - so excited to hear your voice! 😂 I would love to ask you - is there one or a couple things you’ve had revelations about or changed opinions about in the past couple months while you’ve been “offline”? I feel like that could be a fun way to catch up with what’s been happening for you
I second this!
Hi Tara, so fun to have Q&A's again!
1. I'm wondering if you make apple cider, what your approach is and what you use for it?
2. I am also curious how to keep all fowl birds together in winter? Not sure if you do this? I was thinking, chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys. How do you manage the different foods or do they all eat the same?
3. Could you go more in-depth on your daughter's hair washing approach? You mentioned egg yolks, honey and bentonite clay. Does she always mix the honey and egg yolks for washing or does she alternate the two?
Hi! Just wanted to share that I have been doing honey/yolk masks--not sure if thats how Tara and her daughter do it, but inspired by them-- and my bum length hair is so clean and soft. I mix one yolk with 2 tbsp honey, then massage it into my scalp about an hour before I shower, then tie my hair up. Then just rinse with lukewarm water while bathing. It's surprisingly great!
For the egg yolk/honey does it make a difference if you have hard water? Our water is so hard
We have pretty hard well water, and it still works for me!
I just whip two room temp eggs in a jar, rinse my hair in the shower and then massage in the eggs, wrap hair up in a bun while I rinse/wash the rest of my body, and then rinse the eggs out with cold/warm water (not hot!). I do this once every week or two and really like it!
Rosie, do you use whole eggs? My daughter and I looked into this, and it seems some people use just yolks, some use just whites, and some used whole eggs. I haven’t tried any yet, but I’m wondering different hair types make a difference.
I do use whole eggs. This seems to work really well for me. It cuts the grease and leaves my hair soft and 'clean'. It's so amazing! I feel incredibly empowered to use eggs from my chickens instead of plastic shampoo bottles with long lists of crazy ingredients. So simple!
I second question about hair care - washing, dyeing and any new discoveries in that area. Me personally - I use my home made hair soap ( oils+lye) for a year already. It feels okey, although cant say it washes everything- the hair is slightly oily after ( sometimes I rinse with ACV, but it gives smell:) I alternate it with soap nuts liquid, still not happy as it seems both soap and nuts strip something away…
I checked the ph of my hair soap -its app 7- might be the soaps overall are to harsh for the hair?
I have some grey hair and using for dyeing organic henna+other plant mix+eg yolk to stay during night. I also using hydrosol spray on my hair.
In summary I am not happy with the results from these simple natural care products. It seems conventional Johnsonn shampoo was leaving hair better( and I was never using other additional products for my hair).
Hello Tara! You, and this group, have been so instrumental in my life and a source of guidance that I will be forever grateful. I've been a long time subscriber, but have not interacted very much, so here it goes! One question I have is how you navigate your own food/lifestyle beliefs and the generosity of those who have a different standard of living. For example, I'm constantly teaching my younger children why our food matters and what to consider when making choices around food, and yet I also want them to be grateful and accepting when others prepare meals that may not be what we're used to eating (or perhaps things I've taught my children to avoid). I do believe that sharing a meal with friends and family is more than the food, but also the relationships and coversations that emerge from the dinner table - and that the effort it takes to put together a meal is worthy of appreciation regardless of what the food may be, but I find myself not really knowing how to teach my children the nuances around health, community and kindness. Do you have any advice on how to navigate this? We have slowly tried to align ourselves with more like-minded friends, which of course filters out into other aspects of our lives beyond food, but they are still the minority. Thank you again for all that you do to inspire and guide us all here. Jessica
Hello! I am wondering about mowing and weed-wacking! I have a fantasy that we will get to the point where we can soley use our animals to manage the rapid growths on our property here in Vermont, but we are far from it currently. I use one of those plastic string weed-wackers...and am not liking the little bits of plastic being scattered about. Just curious what you guys do and use in your current set up...to inspire me to shift my ways. Ever grateful for you!
Have you ever heard of a whipcicle (not sure how to spell)? This can certainly work for some jobs and our sons loved them from a young age! Here's an example (sorry, I'm not techy and don't know how to make the link shorter): https://www.amazon.com/Companies-Inc-2942600-Temper-Hardwood/dp/B077G1TBR5/ref=asc_df_B077G1TBR5/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693713553301&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10429305070345781406&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016589&hvtargid=pla-570233859802&mcid=bd8e722f69983c35b53356d227980298&gad_source=1&th=1
Ooo! Thanks for this. I have seen them, but had forgotten about them.
Hello Tara ☺️ So nice to hear your voice again. I am deeply intrigued by the great success of your freeze dried meals and would love to hear all about the freeze dryer you own, if you recommend that brand, and any other tips and tricks that pop to mind? Thank-you dear. Caylee
Hi Tara! I was wondering how you keep your head on straight during these times. More specifically, I’m pregnant and have been thinking a lot about the state of the world. I live in a suburb close to a large city and despite actively avoiding the news and not using social media, I find out things regardless. I know there’s a fine balance between being informed and knowing too much (especially all the negative stuff), but it’s been hard… especially when I think of the life my husband and I are bringing into this world. Any tips for surrendering and focusing on the positive? I’m sure it’s normal jitters, but I’d love your perspective on this. Thank you ♥️
Sophie, I think it's important to remember that we all walk upon this earth at the exact time that we are meant to and that the precious life that you carry beneath your heart is meant to be here now. We all have work to do on this earth and those spirits coming through right now know their purpose. I see this and remember this with my own children when I feel the weight of world on my shoulders. They are the warriors, here to fight for life and the earth and truth. You are amazing in saying YES and guiding this little one earthside! Do not be swept away by fear. Trust.
Hello Tara,
I would like to ask about God, how do you experience God?
My life has been a spiritual buffet, going from place to place, group to group to seek Truth and God, I often come back to the stillness of nature and experience peace which I recognise comes from God.
What do you suppose happens to us when we leave our bodies?
Opening up this conversation, not looking for a particular answer just curious of what your humble thoughts and views on God are?
Love this question, Eartha. We've just started taking our boys to church, though our families look down on it. We were struggling to find community with shared values, and this is how we found it. I've always been deep with the concept of God, but struggle a bit with the Jesus concept. I love hearing these discussions, as they open up my mind a lot
This question also popped into my head Eartha. I’ve been having pulls towards god (and I think Jesus as well), wanting to be intentional about bringing things into my life and my fiancé as we think about family. I grew up Quaker, then Buddhist in my 20’s mostly but that’s not feeling right anymore. But I’ve had much trouble with the Bible, probably a mixture of so many concepts being lost in hundreds of translations, and years of religion being manipulated for evil. Not that we need labels or concepts for everything - I’m just intrigued
Yes Erica, Jesus has come to me in the last two years recently. He really speaks to me but like you I just have real trouble with the ways in which the world has used His name. I would be interested to hear Tara's response and musings on this and her experiences.
Hi Tara,
I recently started my first farming job as an apprentice on a wonderful organic, grass based, farm. We use an oxen team to move our chicken coop through the fields daily and their water comes from a hose that is connected to a larger irrigation line. It’s starting to get sunny and warm here and the other day, as I was turning the water on for the birds, I noticed a plastic like smell. I tasted the water coming from the hose and immediately spit it out. It tasted like plastic. It made me feel so discouraged because I thought that we were doing things right on the farm and eating such amazing food. What would you say to this? How do you keep your animals watered without using plastic hoses?
Hopefully I’ve made it to the right place now for q&a submissions! This is my first submission and still learning this app. :) appreciate the grace in learning.
I remember a post from years ago talking about deworming (humans). I’ve tried several of the parasite cleanses on myself but didn’t receive the extraordinary benefits others raved about… guidance on herbs to deworm myself and my children. One of whom complains of an itchy bum and I feel in my gut I need to address it here, thank you.
I would love to see your poultry houses. Do you have multiple types of birds together or everyone gets their own space?
Hello Tara, it's been such a blessing to have you back at such a massive time of upheaval in my life, your writing and thoughts are so grounding.
This is a boring one, but I am BORED - I currently have sitting my my freezer 8kg of offal and steak mince and I am so bored of it (we've already eaten our way through 8kg). Any yummy ways you prep it?
Can I be sneaky and ask one more? I'm curious if you stuck to pure carnivore? It looks like you're eating some form of plants?
Sending sunshiney vibes from a (rare) sunny day in England.
I have also been very curious about the introduction of plants back into your diet - how have you done this, what have you introduced (potatoes?!) , what seems to be working and what isn't, how you feel, how you plan to move forward - coming from one who has been on an animal based diet for over a year (with some incredible results), but yearning for more and experimenting a bit and nervous about sending my body backwards.
Second the pure carnivore question.
I have no questions of my own currently, but I so love listening to your answers. I always find some new bit of information to explore that had never even crossed my mind 😊
Hi Tara,
I experienced the absence of these Q+As like one misses the summer in the wintertime - a longing combined with gratitude for the present season. Thank you, as always, for sharing your reflections as well as prompts to be suffused in the great now.
I recognize that the life you live now has come to be over years of work and planning and learning and patience. Can you speak to navigating 'limitations' of your current setting i.e. military housing, limited access to land, etc. while also working towards the vision you had for your family? Sometimes I experience overwhelm in making decisions and weighing values, and would love some perspective. For example, the farmers market offers local meat and produce, but it's not always pastured raised or organic vs. the supermarket may have organic options but it's shipped in from who knows where. I know labels can be a crock, but how might you prioritize local vs. organic if they are not both? If you were to go to a restaurant, do you simply prioritize a protein-heavy meal regardless of its source, opt to eat beforehand, or decline the invitation all together? Of course I'd love to have a deeper connection to my food sources and produce more myself, but this is where I am right now in life. How do you weigh potentially conflicting values i.e. connection with others, food, budgets, space, etc. while also balancing current circumstances with vision of future life? Thank you thank you :)