Olivia Brooks

Olivia Brooks

@oliviabrooks

Olivia Brooks is the Chief Editor of Self Sufficient Projects, where she shares her expertise in self-reliant living. Passionate about gardening, homesteading, prepping, and survival, she helps readers build the skills they need to thrive off the land. With a deep love for cooking with homegrown ingredients and finding practical ways to live sustainably, Olivia provides insightful, hands-on advice for anyone looking to become more independent. When she's not writing or editing, you’ll find her tending to her garden, testing new preservation techniques, or exploring the great outdoors.

Joined Oct 2025 Dallas, United States Last seen 18h ago
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3 Writeups
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Olivia Brooks published a new post 18h ago
Why Yerba Santa Tea Is One Of My Favorites And What It Can Do for Your Health
Olivia Brooks Why Yerba Santa Tea Is One Of My Favorites And What It Can Do for Your Health

Out of all the herbal teas I’ve tried—and I’ve sampled quite a few—Yerba Santa is one of my favorites, very top of the list. It’s not just about the taste, thou…


Olivia Brooks published a new post 18h ago
Are You Fit Enough to Run a Homestead? What Nobody Tells You Before You Start
Olivia Brooks Are You Fit Enough to Run a Homestead? What Nobody Tells You Before You Start

  I want to talk about something that does not come up nearly enough in homesteading conversations, not in the books, not in the YouTube channels, and honestly …


Olivia Brooks posted a new writeup in Food 1d ago
Is My Canned Food Safe?
Food Is My Canned Food Safe?

Is your canned food safe to eat? Learn the specific warning signs that make a can unsafe, what expired dates actually mean, and how to store canned goods to maximize safety and shelf life.


Olivia Brooks published a new post 2d ago
Why I Love the Scythe in the Garden (And Always Have)
Olivia Brooks Why I Love the Scythe in the Garden (And Always Have)

There’s no real logic to it, not that I can explain, anyway. I’ve always been drawn to the scythe. Before I ever swung one, before I even had much of a garden t…


Olivia Brooks published a new post 2d ago
Common Mistakes When You Make Soap at Home
Olivia Brooks Common Mistakes When You Make Soap at Home

Homemade soap isn’t just a craft—it’s a return to self-reliance, to knowing what touches your skin, and to honoring the wisdom our grandparents carried without …


Olivia Brooks published a new post 4d ago
Do the Amish People Pay Taxes?
Olivia Brooks Do the Amish People Pay Taxes?

The Amish are often seen as a people set apart from the modern world, living simple lives without electricity, cars, or technology. Because of this, one of the …


Olivia Brooks published a new post 4d ago
Yerba Santa Sage: The Sacred Herb of Breath and Spirit
Olivia Brooks Yerba Santa Sage: The Sacred Herb of Breath and Spirit

  In the dry mountain air of the American Southwest, a silvery-green shrub grows with quiet resilience. Its leathery leaves glimmer beneath the sun, releasing a…


Olivia Brooks published a new post 6d ago
3 Simple Tricks To Grow Better-Tasting Tomatoes
Olivia Brooks 3 Simple Tricks To Grow Better-Tasting Tomatoes

Tomatoes are one of the most rewarding plants to grow. When they are nurtured properly, their flavor is worlds apart from anything found in a grocery store. The…


Olivia Brooks published a new post 6d ago
Why Does Your Stockpiled Milk Taste Bad?
Olivia Brooks Why Does Your Stockpiled Milk Taste Bad?

  When people begin storing milk for long term use, one of the first surprises is how different it tastes after months on the shelf. Even unopened cans of powde…


Olivia Brooks published a new post May 6, 2026
Why Don't People Want To Raise Cows?
Olivia Brooks Why Don't People Want To Raise Cows?

  When I first started seriously thinking about expanding our homestead beyond chickens and a kitchen garden, cows came up almost immediately. Of course they di…


Olivia Brooks posted a new writeup Feb 24, 2026
Short Beginner's Guide to Keeping Backyard Chickens
Short Beginner's Guide to Keeping Backyard Chickens

If there is one animal that belongs on almost every homestead, small farm, or even a generous suburban backyard, it is the chicken. No other animal de

Olivia Brooks
Olivia Brooks · 10 min read
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Olivia Brooks posted a new writeup in Health Nov 13, 2025
5 Health Benefits Of Garlic You Did Not Know
Health 5 Health Benefits Of Garlic You Did Not Know

Learn about some of the lesser-known health benefits of garlic so you understand exactly why it is so praised by herbalists from around the world!