Each month, we have one book that is featured. This means it only costs you $5! Take advantage of this great deal to add to your collection and try some delicious new recipes!
This month’s book is Against the Grain. If you need gluten or grain-free meals or are on GAPS — or just want something different — this is perfect! Salisbury steak, beef tips with portobello mushrooms, chicken in sun-dried tomato-cream sauce, white bean vanilla cake and more! Eat and enjoy!
Welcome to Modern Alternative Mama!
I’m Kate, and I’m 27. I’m married to my wonderful husband Ben, who is 28. We’ve been married since 2006 (6 years now)! In January 2008, we welcomed our daughter, Rebekah, who is now almost 5! In July 2009, we welcomed our son, Daniel, who was born at home, and is now 3. Then, in August 2011, we welcomed our second son, Jacob, 1, also born at home. We are also expecting our fourth little one sometime in March 2013. It’s pretty busy around here now!
We are Christians and strive to teach our children about the Lord. It must be going at least decently well, despite my many failings — my daughter said not too long ago (fall 2012) “I don’t care about anything anymore! Except Jesus and painting.” She’s quite the creative one. 
We also homeschool our children and are beginning with a loose unschooling pre-K type education in the fall of 2012. I occasionally post about the projects we’ve been doing, especially their music lessons. As a former music teacher I’ve got a lot of ideas in that area!
I love to cook and there’s nearly always something going in my kitchen. I’ve taken up traditional cooking over the last several years (due, in a large part, to my daughter’s allergies) and have loved it. I’ve always enjoyed cooking so this was a new and exciting challenge for me. I also love natural health and I’m constantly coming up with new home remedies for my family.
Our goal over the next several months is to move to a farm property in Central Ohio. We’re looking for around 10 acres of land. We hope to plant a large garden and raise chickens in our first year, and slowly add in beef and milk cows as well as an orchard. We’d ultimately like to be completely self-sustainable, including producing our own green energy. As of fall 2012 we’re cleaning out our current home and preparing to sell, as well as checking out properties around the city to find the right one for us. We’re sharing our journey as we unfolds!
In addition to this site, you can also find me at Keeper of the Home and Food…Your Way, where I contribute regularly. I have guest posts at sites around the web, including Kitchen Stewardship, Kelly the Kitchen Kop, Passionate Homemaking, Simple Mom, and more.
Through this blog you’ll get to know us even more, so jump right in!
Living the non-mainstream life: Jesus-loving, debt-free living, home birthing, extended breastfeeding, cloth diapering, non-vaccinating, organic gardening and real-food cooking mama!
Read more about us!:
Our Story, part 1 (how Ben and I met)
Michelle: Good to know! Not pregnant, but I was sick until 20 weeks last time an...
Sara B.: Anything within 150 miles is considered local. It isn't freeway miles ...
Nicole: In response to the first comment and wanting to know "how buying local...
Malissa: I honestly never figured out that knot :( I even asked my husband and ...
Rebecca: I ate hamburger gravy, your scrambled hamburger, at least 5 times a we...
Hi Kate! Just found your blog after buying the Healthy Living ebook Bundle. We have so much in common! I’ll be a new follower of yours! We are planning our 2nd home birth for March 2013 as well! (Ist was natural hospital birth, 2nd was very successful home water birth!) Excited to learn more of what you have to share! ~Sarah
Kate, like Sarah, I discovered your blog through the ebook bundle! I, too, have much in common with you! Had a question about something in your Against the Grain book. Is it possible to have your email? So exciting to find more women that I have lots in common with! I always love lots of extra encouragement as a new mom! We welcomed our first child, in May, 2012, at home!
Hi, I’m so excited to have stumbled upon your blog quite by accident! I have some things in common with you and in the areas that I am not like you, I long to be like you and admire you. I cloth diapered, am doing extended breast feeding, I want to learn to cook real food and I wish I could live a self-sufficient lifestyle, although I think that that last part will be really hard to achieve for me personally since my lifestyle is so far from that. I will look to your blog for encouragement and inspiration!
Hi Kate, so glad to have discovered your blog. I am a 65 years old German nutritionist, and have raised my 2 girls much like you . I am, however, pretty much upset about your attitude towards grains. Humans have lived on WHOLE grains for more than 10.00 years, how could this essential food be causing disease? I would be glad to share my upcoming ebook “raw food for babies” with you with lots of information and recipes. It is a proven natural alternative to formula if breastfeeding is not an option.