One of our go-to meals is roasted vegetable bowls. They’re packed with color, nutrients, and flavor—plus, they’re easy to customize based on what we have on hand. We love following the “eat the rainbow” philosophy, which helps us get a variety of vitamins and minerals in every bite. We usually serve our roasted veggies overContinue reading “Roasted Vegetable Bowls: A Family Favorite”
Author Archives: theankerhomestead
Our Healthy Eating Journey: Learning, Adjusting, and Growing
In 2020, we discovered that our son couldn’t handle processed foods like most people. He also struggled with gluten, and after some testing, we learned that his body wasn’t properly absorbing nutrients. His intestines had a buildup of yeast, which meant we had to take steps to clear it out and focus on nourishing hisContinue reading “Our Healthy Eating Journey: Learning, Adjusting, and Growing”
How to Manage a Foster Placement: Welcoming, Supporting, and Organizing for Success
Bringing a foster child into your home is both a rewarding and challenging experience. Each child arrives with their own history, emotions, and needs. As a foster parent, your role is to provide stability, comfort, and support while navigating the administrative side of fostering. Here’s a guide to help you manage a foster placement effectively.Continue reading “How to Manage a Foster Placement: Welcoming, Supporting, and Organizing for Success”
Helping Children Process Grief or Loss While Embracing a New Family
Bringing a child into a new family structure—whether through adoption, foster care, remarriage, or guardianship—can be a time of hope and new beginnings. However, for many children, this transition is accompanied by grief and loss. They may be grieving the loss of a biological parent, the life they once knew, or even a sense ofContinue reading “Helping Children Process Grief or Loss While Embracing a New Family”
Gestational vs. Traditional Surrogacy: Understanding the Difference
When people hear the word surrogacy, they often assume it’s a one-size-fits-all process. But there are actually two different types of surrogacy: gestational and traditional. Each comes with its own legal, medical, and emotional complexities. Gestational Surrogacy (What We Did) Gestational surrogacy is the most common form of surrogacy today. According to Google’s definition: “GestationalContinue reading “Gestational vs. Traditional Surrogacy: Understanding the Difference”
Beauty and the Blended: Finding Love and Harmony in a Blended Family
Blended families are becoming more of the norm these days. While the idea of a nuclear family breaking apart is often seen as tragic, I firmly believe that staying together “for the kids” when a relationship isn’t working does more harm than good. Kids don’t need a household filled with tension, resentment, or emotional distance—theyContinue reading “Beauty and the Blended: Finding Love and Harmony in a Blended Family”
Redefining Happiness: Trading the Corporate Climb for a Simpler Life
For a long time, I thought happiness meant success—climbing the corporate ladder, gaining influence, proving my worth through promotions and power. I used to chase the idea that the more important I was at work, the more fulfilled I would feel. I measured my value in deadlines met, emails answered, and how many people lookedContinue reading “Redefining Happiness: Trading the Corporate Climb for a Simpler Life”
What I Wish More People Knew About Foster Care
Foster care is a journey filled with love, heartbreak, hope, and resilience. It’s a system designed not for adoption but for reunification with a child’s biological family whenever possible. As a foster parent, you are committing to being a temporary safe space—a bridge between where a child has been and where they are meant toContinue reading “What I Wish More People Knew About Foster Care”
Our Foster Journey: Answering the Call in Uncertain Times
In 2020, when the world shut down and everything became uncertain, one thing weighed heavily on our hearts—children. Schools closed, which meant that for many kids, the places where they felt safe, received meals, and had caring adults watching over them were suddenly gone. We couldn’t stop thinking about the children who were already inContinue reading “Our Foster Journey: Answering the Call in Uncertain Times”
Getting Started in Surrogacy: What You Need to Know
Surrogacy is an incredible journey—one that can be deeply emotional, purely transactional, or a mix of both. No matter your reason for considering it, getting started requires careful research, reflection, and preparation. If you’re thinking about becoming a surrogate, here’s what you need to know about the process, from the first steps to matching withContinue reading “Getting Started in Surrogacy: What You Need to Know”
The Anker Homestead 