cooking Archives

Wood basket with sprouted white potatoes in it.

What To Do With Sprouted Potatoes

If you are like most people, when your potatoes start to sprout, you toss them out. Somehow we have been taught that sprouted potatoes are…

Posted in Farming the Homestead

Top 5 Broiler Chicken Breeds For Meat Production

Some might consider the best meat chicken breeds to be a 45 day chicken. Or, one that is fully mature and ready for butchering 45 days after hatching. But others can reasonably argue that the best meat birds come from chickens who are raised slower and are dual purpose. Meaning not only are they wonderful…

Posted in Growing Food

Container Gardening for Small Spaces

“I want to start a garden, but don’t have the space!”, or, “Gardening is too expensive, especially in containers.” Does this sound like you? Do you feel helpless to your garden dreams because you live in a rental, or an apartment? Or maybe you don’t have the equipment or time to dig up a plot…

Posted in Caring For the Homestead, Growing Food

Simple DIY Herb Drying Rack (for fresh herbs and flowers)

If you’re looking for a simple DIY herb drying rack for fresh herbs and flowers, you are in the right place! Not only is this DIY herb and flower drying rack decorative, but it’s also a functional way to dry herbs this growing season. This project uses inexpensive materials and takes 30 minutes to put…

Posted in Cooking From Scratch

Easy Chicken Grape Salad Side Dish

As Spring approaches, I find myself reaching for meals and side dishes that aren’t so heavy on the gut. Food that is quick, nourishing and light. Chicken Grape Salad is a crunchy, sweet, cold salad. Because this dish is packed with protein, it can be eaten as the main course for lunch, or as a…

Posted in Cooking From Scratch

Simple Chili Dog Sauce Recipe for Batch Cooking

This Simple Chili Dog Sauce recipe is one that I keep in my freezer year round. The versatility of it allows me to not only use it on hot dogs and brats, but a multitude of other recipes. Not only does this Simple Chili Dog Sauce works as a recipe starter, but also as a…

Posted in Caring For the Homestead

DIY Plate Wall With Fabric Decoupage Plates

I have always wanted a plate display wall in my home. The problem is, I can’t ever find decorative plates pretty enough to display. Or the plates are too expensive for my liking. So what’s a person to do? Make a DIY Plate Wall With Fabric Decoupage Plates, of course! I am so excited to…

Posted in Caring For the Homestead

DIY Spring Wreath With Shabby Chic Farmhouse Flair

Do you love wreaths? They are such a simple gesture of cheer. I like to display them on my front door and throughout my home for the seasons and holidays. But the price of a modest wreath generally starts around $25. Keeping this in mind, I knew I would have to create a DIY spring…

Posted in Cooking From Scratch

Healthy Pop Tarts with Einkorn Pie Crust Recipe

Do your kids like to eat Pop Tarts for breakfast? With the amount of sugar per serving, I’m shocked to know that they are considered a breakfast food! That’s why I’m so excited to share my version of Healthy Pop Tarts With Einkorn Pie Crust Recipe that is filled with Honey Sweetened Jam. Not only…

Posted in Cooking From Scratch

Canning Fruit and Jam With Honey

Are you looking for ways to reduce the amount of refined sugar your family consumes? Maybe you keep your own beehives, like me, and are looking for ways to use the gallons of honey you extract each fall by using honey as a sweetener. Today I am going to talk about the benefits of canning…

Posted in Cooking From Scratch

What To Do With Sprouted Potatoes

If you are like most people, when your potatoes start to sprout, you toss them out. Somehow we have been taught that sprouted potatoes are no longer edible and must be disposed of. The sprouts and shoots seem to gross people out. I urge you to save your potatoes; there is nothing wrong with them!…

Meet Tonya From Old Clay Farm!

Welcome to Old Clay Farm, the place where I inspire you to cook from scratch recipes, grow organic food, care for your homestead in a natural way and simplify farming.

I deeply believe that homesteading is not defined by where a person lives, but by the lifestyle choices they make. Modern homesteading means taking charge of your circumstances by creating a better life right where you are.

I am passionate about cooking from scratch recipes, using simple, healthy ingredients. Whether you buy your produce from the store, or grow your own, I'll show you how to cook with it, preserve it and store it. And if you're looking for guidance with cooking and using cuts of meat or butchering practices, I've got you covered.

I share tips, failures and successes on my journey of growing my own food in Northern Michigan. I hope to inspire you to grow something edible- no matter where you live.

Caring for my homestead (and the people on it) in a natural way is very important to me. I share DIY home cleaning recipes, things like how to make lard candles and home décor projects, all in an effort to cultivate a healthy and welcoming home.