When you have two under two, you learn quickly that simplicity is everything. You need systems that save time, cut costs, and work for your whole household—babies, pets, and even plants included.
That’s why I’ve fallen in love with a low-waste lifestyle that blesses not only my family, but also our dog, our chickens, and our garden soil. It might sound too good to be true, but one simple change made a huge impact on how I steward our home: we stopped throwing away our food scraps—and started letting our animals help.
Toddlers, Eggs, and a Very Helpful Dog
Most mornings, my 18-month-old daughter happily eats eggs for breakfast. Eggs are amazing for all of us, but especially for pregnant mamas and developing toddlers. Studies show eggs are rich in choline, healthy fats, protein, and vitamins essential for brain development and pregnancy wellness. (Source from NIH)
But let’s be real—some mornings, my toddler changes her mind. She asks for “uppys” or wants to nurse or just isn’t feeling eggs that day. And that’s okay.
Instead of scraping her plate into the trash, I slide the leftovers into our dog’s bowl. Easy peasy. Whole eggs, bits of toast, and whatever else she left behind—it all becomes a nutritious treat for our pup.
We love feeding our dog whole foods over expensive commercial dog food when we can. There’s growing evidence that dogs thrive on real, minimally processed foods—just like we do. (Reference to Real Alex Clark’s “Crunchy Pets” podcast/“Crunchy Pets” YouTube video) It’s a win-win: less waste, healthier dog, and a grateful toddler who’s learning that nothing good goes to waste in our home.
Chickens: The Unsung Heroes of Our Homestead
If the dog doesn’t eat it, the chickens will.
Eggshells, produce scraps, that extra sourdough discard you weren’t sure about—our chickens love it all. What they don’t eat, they scratch into the soil along with their poop, turning our scraps into rich, composted soil for our garden.
And you know what? I never clean their coop.
That may sound crazy, but hear me out. We live in the dry Arizona climate, which helps keep things from getting too moist. When needed, I toss in garden clippings, yard waste, or shredded paper to absorb moisture and keep things tidy. The result? A self-maintaining system where the chickens handle the composting for me. When I need fertilizer for my garden beds, I just rake aside the top layer and scoop out the rich, nutrient-dense soil underneath.
This system saves me so much time—and money. As busy mamas, we need efficiency. Especially when we’re already juggling snack requests, potty training, baby-wearing, and the rest of our beautiful chaos.
Growing Our Own Food with God’s Design
One resource that’s really helped me embrace sustainable gardening is the Back to Eden Method (backtoedenfilm.com). It’s a gardening approach that mimics the way God designed nature to care for itself—layering wood chips, compost, and organic matter to create self-sustaining, low-maintenance soil.
It’s been a game-changer in our garden, especially paired with our chicken-compost system. When I feed my family, I’m also feeding my garden. And when I feed my garden, it returns the blessing in the form of produce that nourishes us all over again.
We don’t waste a thing. Every leftover scrap becomes a seed of nourishment for the next season.
Looking Ahead: More Helpful Animals
Right now, our dog and chickens do more than their fair share to help our home run smoothly. But someday? I dream of adding pigs to the mix—another incredible way to reduce waste, grow food, and create a sustainable home.
Even now, without a full farm, these simple steps make a big difference. We’re saving money on feed, growing our own food, and building better soil—one leftover and one chicken scratch at a time.
Encouragement for Other Mamas
You don’t need acreage or fancy homestead equipment to start. Maybe you begin with just a backyard compost bin. Maybe you start feeding your dog real leftovers. Maybe you say yes to a couple of backyard chickens—or start dreaming and praying for that day.
Whatever your version looks like, it matters.
As mamas, we carry a beautiful responsibility to nourish our homes—physically, spiritually, and even environmentally. I believe God honors our efforts, even the small ones, to live wisely and steward His gifts well.
Let your pets help. Let your garden grow. Let your food scraps become abundance.
Because when you build systems that serve your whole household—babies, animals, and soil—you’ll find more time for what matters most.
Leave a Reply