Eat Healthy When Breastfeeding

Eating the right foods during your pregnancy is important because you are the sole provider for nutrition that your baby receives. It is equally important to eat just as healthy when you are breastfeeding if that is the option you are choosing for your newborn baby. Eating healthy foods provides the iron and calcium your baby needs to develop and get nutrition.

In addition to providing nutrition, you will also keep yourself in good shape because breastfeeding can cause minor problems such as constipation or fatigue. It takes a lot of energy to make milk for your baby. The list of foods not to eat while breastfeeding is pretty much nonexistent unlike during your pregnancy, however there are some exceptions. You can eat almost anything you want. Here are some healthy eating ideas for when you are breastfeeding your newborn.

Fruits and vegetables are two of the most important sources for vitamins. They contain natural vitamins that keep you healthy and provide you energy. In addition to providing vitamins, they are high in fiber, water, and natural sugars. You can start your day with a fruit salad, or enjoy a banana or apple for a snack during the day. It can be hard to find the time to sit down for a meal with a newborn, and grabbing a piece of fruit on the go will provide calories and keep you somewhat full. Vegetables are great as a side for dinner or as an afternoon snack.

Because you can get stomach problems, such as constipation, from breastfeeding it is a good idea to eat sprouted or soaked grains. They provide fiber to your body which can help you go to the bathroom. If eating whole grains makes your stomach ache worse, avoid eating it because it can be hard to digest.

There are some foods that you should avoid when breastfeeding, but not as much as when you were pregnant. A lot of fish contains mercury which is unhealthy for your baby. You should avoid shark and swordfish and eat salmon instead. You shouldn’t avoid milk like some studies suggest. If your baby has colic, you should consume raw dairy instead of not drinking milk or eating milk products. Milk allergies are usually caused because of how milk is processed, so raw dairy is the best way to go.

Something you may notice if you love spicy foods is that your baby will get an upset stomach after breastfeeding. The spicy foods can pass on into your milk and cause your newborn to have really bad stomach aches. This could lead to diarrhea, and if they are having a lot of diaper changes that could lead to diapers rash.

If you have been craving coffee or other caffeinated beverages during your pregnancy, here is your chance to enjoy a good brew in the morning. Don’t overload on caffeine because that could be harmful when you are breastfeeding, and it will also dehydrate you. Drink one cup of coffee in the morning or one caffeinated beverage during the day. Remember that moderation is key to health. In addition to drinking coffee, you can drink alcohol. Please do not drink too much because in addition to being unhealthy, it can be dangerous to drink too much while caring for a baby. Enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail, but limit yourself and be conservative.

About the Author: Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com/.

Different Types of Baby Rashes

You may think that the only type of rash that a baby can have is a rash from their diaper. However, there are different types of rashes that your baby can suffer from. Their skin is so sensitive and is constantly being exposed to new materials, creams, and other elements. Everything is new to a baby and they may come in contact with something that can cause a rash. It is common for babies to have rashes, and you should know what they have before effectively treating it. Here are some of the different types of baby rashes.

A lot of babies are born with a rash called cradle cap. It is caused by clogged pores that normally occur on the scalp, face, or neck of your newborn. It can be easily treated. Luckily, this rash doesn’t irritate like other rashes do. You can treat this rash with baby oil or special infant shampoos. This skin will appear to look yellow in color, have dry patches, scaly looking skin, or flaking of the skin. It is similar to dandruff, but cradle cap only appears on newborn babies.

Another type of rash that normally occurs on a baby’s face is called prickly heat or miliaria. This often occurs if you live in a warm climate or if your infant is too hot. When your baby produces sweat, their pores can become clogged. As a result of this, little bumps can appear on their nose. The rash usually comes in the form of blisters. The blisters are clear, and they do not look like acne. If your child is dressed too warm they can get this rash on other parts of their body. It will clear up on its own but be sure to watch your baby’s temperature.

A common rash that most babies will suffer from is diapers rash. This can be a very serious rash if it isn’t managed correctly or left untreated. It is very irritating and can cause blisters, bleeding, dry flaky skin, and a lot of intense itching or burning. Diapers rash can be cured with diaper ointment, cleaning the skin, and wearing organic or cloth diapers. Normally this rash occurs when you introduce solid foods into your child’s diet.

A type of rash that occurs most often with males is baby acne, which is also called infantile acne or neonatal acne. This skin rash will go away on its own after time. Generally, it will occur during your newborn’s first 2 months after birth. It is caused by maternal hormones being exposed in the womb.

Taking care of your baby’s skin is very important. It is best to try to stop rashes before they occur or treat them when they do happen. Using diaper ointment, baby oils, lotions, and creams will help to soothe irritating rashes. Use baby oils that do not clog pores because that could cause a rash or increase irritation. Organic oils are soothing and won’t clog pores.

About the Author: Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com/.

Eczema Tip: Allergy Proof Your Home

Outdoor allergy seasons come and go depending on weather patterns and time of year. During high allergy seasons we get refuge in our homes or load up on Vitamin C and allergy medicine. Unfortunately, you are not safe from allergies in your home. There is dust and dander, among other things, that can cause an allergy outbreak. You may have a runny nose, constant sneezing, itchy skin, or rashes as a result from coming in contact with something you are allergic to in your home. You may even start to see a dry rash that flares up which is called eczema. If you have eczema, the flare ups can become worse from allergic reactions. To keep your flare ups under control, here are some ways to allergy proof your home.

An easy way to control allergens is to have a weekly cleaning routine. If you suffer from allergies that are pretty severe or have asthma and eczema flare ups, you may need a daily cleaning routine. You don’t need a floor to ceiling scrub down of your home every day, but you may need to dust or vacuum more often than others. Every week you should vacuum your carpets and sweep tile or wood floors. If you are highly allergic to dust mites, you may want to consider investing in a dust free vacuum. To clear dust off of other surfaces like table tops or windows you can use a damp cloth to wipe them down instead of using a feather duster that spreads the dirt around. There can be a lot of dust mites on your bed, so it is important to wash and change your sheets weekly. When you have clean sheets, you’ll start to notice your eczema improve.

The temperature and humidity in your home should be controlled at all times. High temperatures can cause infestations and mold. The humidity in your home should always be around 50%, and keep the temperature comfortable. You don’t want the temperature too hot or cold, so a good degree to maintain is 70, give or take a few degrees. You may need to use humidifiers to control the humidity, but you can control the temperature with your thermostat. To get the most effectiveness out of your central heating system, clean or replace air filters once a month. This will also help to keep the dust at a minimum. It is important to keep surfaces in your home clean and dry. Make sure there aren’t any leaks under any countertops.

Another great tip for controlling the allergens is to make your home easy to clean. For example, replace carpeting and rugs with wood, tile, or linoleum. Curtains can carry a lot of dust, so buy window treatment that can be dusted easily. If you have curtains, buy them in a material that is easy to wash. Leather furniture is preferable over upholstered sofas and chairs. Because we spend so much time in our bedrooms, you want to make sure that your mattress and flooring is easy to clean too. It is important to use pillow mattress covers to avoid dust mites or other dander. Wool blankets and new foam pillows attract dust mites, so you should have other materials instead. If you have a lot of furniture in your bedroom, keep it as far from the bed as you can.

Using these simple tips can keep your home as allergy free as it can be. If you notice that your allergies or eczema still flare up, you can use eczema oil to control the uncomfortable feeling on your skin.

About the Author: Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com/.

Chlorine’s Effect on Eczema

Our skin is our body’s number one defense against germs or getting sick. It is a protective layer that keeps us healthy and protects our organs. There are so many factors that affect the health and condition of our skin. Having eczema can make this a little more challenging because the moisture that we need isn’t produced as it should be.

There are a lot of external factors that affect an eczema flare up such as weather, lotions, makeup, soap, and laundry detergent. One factor that you may not realize that is so harmful to your skin condition is water. Most, if not all, city water is treated with chlorine. Chlorine however is hurting us and not helping our water. Here are some of the effects of chlorine on our skin and eczema.

First and foremost, chlorine dries out your skin. This is bad for people who have eczema because their skin already is naturally dry and has hard time maintaining moisture. It can also dry out your hair as well. Swimming pools have a lot of chlorine in them to ward off bacteria, and everyone has probably had that dry feeling after a day of swimming.

There isn’t as much concentrated chlorine in your bathing water, however over time the chlorine’s effects really add up against your skin because the levels of chlorine are still pretty high. After showering you can feel itchy, dry, and notice a rash. This is an uncomfortable feeling to have every day.

Showering is more harmful than swimming in a chlorine treated pool. The hot water from your shower opens your pores, to cleanse, but the toxic gases caused from the steam and heat are easily absorbed by your skin. In addition to drying you out, you can prematurely develop wrinkles. To ease the itching feeling after your shower, you can use lotions or eczema oil to alleviate the irritation and bring some moisture back. There is also an option to install chlorine free showerheads. Chlorine free water is the best defense against atopic dermatitis and wrinkles.

There are other harmful effects of chlorine in the water you bathe in and the water you drink. Chlorine is used to fight off bacteria in our water, yet it causes so many other detrimental health problems. In addition to causing atopic dermatitis or making it worse, it has also been known to cause cancer. If you drink tap water that has been treated with chlorine you run the risk of hurting your bladder, stomach, and breasts. It can also really flare up asthma attacks which are commonly associated with eczema. Chlorine, over time, can damage cell tissues.

About the Author: Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com/.

How to Stay Fit and Healthy During Pregnancy

It is inevitable that you will gain weight during your pregnancy because you are eating for you and your baby. Not to mention you will gain as your baby develops and grows. The normal weight gain for pregnant women is 25 to 35 pounds. This is just an average range so don’t be afraid if you gain more or less than that. The importance is to stay fit and healthy during the nine months you are carrying your baby or babies. You don’t want to do anything too strenuous or start a diet or follow a fad diet to keep weight gain down. Here are some ways to stay fit and healthy during your pregnancy.

Eating healthy meals is important because you are providing nourishment for your baby. Don’t cut back on calories because you are afraid of weight gain. Pregnant women should add 200 to 300 calories to their daily intake. The quality of the foods you eat are just as important as the quantity. Eat organic foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals which will give you energy and nourishment. It is acceptable to give into cravings, but eat sweet treats or generally unhealthy foods in moderation.

To stay in shape and minimize too much weight gain you should exercise regularly. Find an exercise routine that you are comfortable with and one where you won’t over exert yourself. Also, don’t start a new routine that you didn’t do before you were pregnant. If you have always been a runner, it is ok to run while you are carrying. If it is too painful to run, then you can walk which is also a great way to stay in shape. You can always consult with your doctor if you are worried about harming your baby from the workouts you are doing. Listen to your body, because it always lets you know your limits. If you haven’t tried yoga before, you can find great mommy yoga classes that will relax and tone your body.

It can be a lot of work carrying a baby. Your legs and back will get sore, and you may notice that you get tired easily. Part of staying healthy is taking care of you. It is important to get enough sleep and plenty of rest during the day if you need it. Over exerting yourself during the day can be harmful to both you and your baby. Don’t feel guilty about asking for help when you need it or taking naps during the day. Part of being healthy is resting.

Eating properly, exercising on a daily basis, and getting enough rest will ensure that you stay fit and healthy during your pregnancy. You provide the nutrition that your baby needs and staying healthy is important for both of your lives.

About the Author: Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com/.

Pregnancy Nutrition Information and What to Avoid

Eating healthy during a pregnancy is so important because you are now eating for two people. You are the sole provider for your baby, and have to provide the proper nutrition during pregnancy. There are certain foods and drinks that will provide maximum health benefits, and other foods that can be harmful to your baby. One of the joys of being pregnant is being able to eat whatever you want, whenever you want and not to feel guilty about it. If you want pickles with ice cream, by all means enjoy. However, there are some foods and drinks you will have to give up during the nine months your baby is developing. Here are some foods and drinks to avoid during your pregnancy to ensure the health of your newborn baby.

If you are a sushi lover, be sure to eat up before you plan on getting pregnant because raw food is very harmful. Any type of raw meat is unsafe to eat during a pregnancy. This not only includes seafood in things such as sushi or oysters, but also steaks, eggs, and poultry. Steaks and burgers will have to be cooked well done. You will also have to cook eggs well done and forego the sunny side up version during breakfast. There is a high risk for infection for your baby from consuming undercooked meat and seafood.

There is a lot of seafood that is very healthy for you. However, keep in mind that fish with high levels of mercury will need to be avoided. For example instead of eating shark or swordfish, you should eat shrimp or salmon instead. The portion sizes should remain small when eating fish. Mercury in seafood can damage the nervous system while your baby is developing. Smoked salmon is very nutritious, but during a pregnancy needs to be avoided.

An entire section of the grocery store that should be kept out of your diet for nine months is the deli section. A lot of the meats and cheeses are at a high risk for causing food poisoning. Listeria is a bacteria often found in deli meats are very dangerous because it can cross over the placenta and cause an infection to your baby. If you do eat deli meats in sandwiches, it is advised that you cook the meat on the stove top or microwave before making and eating your sandwich.

Another group of foods that can contain listeria in it is soft cheeses. This includes bleu or gorgonzola cheese, brie, feta, Roquefort, camembert, and Mexican style cheeses like queso fresco. These are unsafe because they contain unpasteurized milk. While this would normally be a healthy addition to your diet, when you are eating for both you and your baby they are unhealthy and dangerous.

Most women know to avoid alcohol during the nine months they are carrying. There are labels on every alcoholic beverage to remind you of the risks alcohol can cause to an unborn baby. Alcohol won’t allow your baby to properly develop. Another type of drink that should be avoided is anything with caffeine in it such as coffee or lattes. Caffeine can make you and your baby very dehydrated so it is better to drink plenty of water or organic juices. Some experts will say that caffeine in moderation during the nine months is okay, so it is really a personal choice you should make with your doctor.

Keep a healthy diet for you and your baby and remember to avoid these foods and drinks for nine months.

About the Author: Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com/.

Tips for Stretch Mark Prevention

There is nothing more exciting than getting the results back from a pregnancy test and knowing you are a pregnant. For a first time expectant mother, the news can be both exciting and scary. If you’ve had children before you will know that your body will go through a lot of different changes. As a new mom, you probably have read about changes you will experience and how to keep yourself healthy. One change that almost every mother will go through during their pregnancy is getting stretch marks.

Stretch marks occur in 50 to 90 percent of all pregnancies. They start to show on your stomach around the six month of your pregnancy. The skin stretches as your baby grows. Fare skinned women are more susceptible to stretch marks, and they are also hereditary. If your mom or sister got them, you probably will too. However, there are some things you can do to prevent stretch marks and keep your skin looking good and healthy. Here are some tips you should follow for stretch mark prevention.

It is important to make sure your skin stay pretty elastic so that it can stretch as your baby grows. One way to maintain elasticity is to drink a lot of water. Not only will this keep your skin in great condition, but it is important to stay hydrated for the health of you and your baby.

In addition to drinking lots of water, you should also eat healthy foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals. Natural foods that contain a lot of vitamins are fruits, vegetables, and leafy green vegetables. Eating these types of foods will provide proper nutrition, keep weight gain down, and will keep your skin healthy as well. One way of preventing stretch marks is to avoid rapid weight gain. You will gain weight during your pregnancy, but keep the pounds in healthy range which is 25 to 35 pounds.

Keeping your skin moisturized is imperative in preventing stretch marks. Your skin can become dry and itchy, but try your best not to scratch as this can cause stretch marks. Most pregnant women prefer to use lotions with cocoa butter in them, but there are other types of oils and lotions you can use. Lotions or oils used with emu oil are great to use. Oils, such as belly oils or eczema oil, that contain ingredients such as kukui nut oil, premium emu oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil will prevent stretch marks, minimize existing stretch marks, ease dry, itchy skin, hasten the healing of hemorrhoids and minimizes scarring.

These stretch mark prevention tips are easy to follow and manage. Using these tips can minimize the amount of stretch marks you may get or prevent them all together from appearing. Enjoy your pregnancy, stay healthy, and stay happy.

About the Author: Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com.

Natural Makeup Remover

Wearing makeup is glamorous, it makes women feel beautiful, it makes them look great, and it can be fun to try out new styles and colors. Applying foundation, lipstick, mascara, and different shades of eye shadow is easier than removing it at the end of the day. Waterproof mascara is especially hard to remove because it is meant to withstand water. However, all makeup should be removed at the end of the day or before you go to sleep. Sleeping with makeup on will clog your pores which cause acne and black heads. It can also cause eye infections. If some makeup removers with chemicals in them irritate your skin, here are some natural makeup remover alternatives that will be sure to remove all makeup from your eyes and face.

Foundation can be removed very easily. You can remove it by washing your face with lukewarm water and an organic soap. If the water is too hot, you may start to notice that your skin will get dry. Organic soaps don’t have any chemicals or synthetic materials in them that can dry out or irritate your skin. After you remove the foundation you can use some type of moisturizer or aloe vera to keep your skin free from aging and wrinkles. This isn’t a necessary step for removing makeup, but it is a good beauty tip for keeping your skin youthful and having a beautiful glow. Not to mention properly moisturized as well.

Eye makeup is harder to remove than foundation, and sometimes soap and water doesn’t properly remove it. It is important to remove all eye liner, mascara, and eye shadow because the skin around your eyes is so sensitive that it can dry out or become irritated very easily. Also, leaving eye makeup on can lead to eye infections. There are a lot of different products that you can use to remove eye makeup. Cosmetic departments sell eye makeup remover that can be very costly and are not made with natural ingredients. It is better to use natural skin products because they are less harsh on your skin, and they don’t contain chemicals. Some house hold, natural ingredients are not only inexpensive but better for your skin as well.

A common household ingredient that every family has in their kitchen is olive oil. Believe it or not, this organic cooking product can be used to remove eye makeup. Less common oils that also remove makeup well are jojoba oil and mineral oil. After using oils to remove makeup, rinse your eyes with water so you won’t be left with an oily residue or oily feeling. Another product that will protect against wrinkles and work great is baby oil or natural baby shampoo. Another age old product that is made from a plant is witch hazel. Alcohol free witch hazel is good to use because it won’t sting your eyes. When using it, be sure to keep your eyes closed to avoid a very uncomfortable feeling if it happens to get in your eyes.

About the Author: Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com.

Aloe Vera, It’s not just a Plant

Aloe vera is a plant that has been around for centuries. It is a perennial plant that has leaves filled with a yellow gel like substance that can be used for organic medicinal purposes. It can be found in very warm climates such as South America where it is grown in mass quantities. Aloe vera contains a lot of nutrients and vitamins that heal both internal and external problems. It can also be used internally by drinking it or externally by rubbing it on your body where it’s needed. The plant has many uses and can be used as a beauty product or for medicinal purposes. Cleopatra has even been noted in history as using it as part of her daily skin care routine. Here are some of the many uses and benefits of aloe vera.

There are a lot of beauty uses that aloe vera can be used for. Perhaps the most common use for the plant is for treating a sun burn. The plant extract helps your skin heal, brings back moisture, and relieves some of the itchiness and redness. Acne can be a serious skin problem for teenagers and adults. If it is left untreated it can become out of control and leave acne scars on your face and body. Rubbing aloe on your pimples will reduce the redness and swelling and will prevent future breakouts. Using aloe is safer than chemically processed creams that can discolor or dry your skin out. It is always safer and more beneficial to your health to use natural skin care products.

Cleopatra used the plant to keep her skin looking glowing and youthful. Aloe can be used to reduce the signs of wrinkles and aging of your skin. Besides making your skin look youthful, you can create a beautiful glow by exfoliating. The plant is found in most organic body scrubs and masks. You can also make your own scrubs by combing aloe vera, lemon juice, and brown sugar. You can substitute sea salt for brown sugar and make a salt scrub. The plant extract is known for bringing a lot of moisture to your skin. It is a great extract for treating eczema or as a lotion. In addition to bringing moisture back into your skin, it also reduces scarring and stretch marks by speeding up cell reproduction.

There are many uses for treating health problems as well. You can treat health problems internally or externally with the plant extract. If you are experiencing stomach pains or have problems going to the bathroom you can drink it. You can find the plant extract at health stores that come in the form of pills and drinks. By drinking the aloe you can also treat heart burn, stomach ulcers, low blood sugar, reduce cholesterol, and help with asthma. If you prefer not to use medicines daily from a doctor, this organic treatment will improve health conditions and leave you feeling healthy. For some people, medicine prescribed by a doctor can cause allergic reactions, side effects that leave you feeling worse, or cause long term affects from the synthetic materials. Aloe vera is a natural plant, the extract is organic, and doesn’t contain chemicals that will be harmful to your body.

About the Author: Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com.

Health and Skin Care for Humidity in your House

You may think that the only hassle with humidity is your hair frizzing or living in an uncomfortable climate. However, humidity can cause more problems than ruining a good hair day or making you feel hot and sticky. The excess water vapor in the air can cause health and skin problems. Humidity isn’t just an outside weather factor either, and your house also has a humidity level. The humidity in your house not only affects your skin but also your health. Humidity under 30% is considered unhealthy to live in, and many people may be suffering from low humidity and not even know the simple fix. Here are some ways to fix the humidity levels and ways to care for your skin, health, and house.

High humidity causes damage to your skin and house. It can lead to rotting or molding in the house, but luckily our bodies don’t do the same. You will notice, however, excessive sweating or very oily skin. The reason your skin becomes oily is because high humidity levels makes your sweat glands work harder. The high levels in your house will cause internal damage and you will see the affects of it in the interior part of your house. Mold can become a major issue which is detrimental to your health. Also, the excess water vapor will cause your walls to become stained with the water. You may also notice that either the wallpaper or paint might begin to peel away from the wall.

It is easier to fix a low humidity problem rather than high levels, but it can still be manageable. To fix the high level in your house or if you live in high humid areas, you should install exhaust fans. This will help to keep some of the moisture out. You can also install a dehumidifier on your thermostat that controls the air condition and heating for your house. For skin care, be sure to use oil free make up when possible so you aren’t doubling the amount of oil on your skin. Sweat can’t really be stopped, but if you can control the humidity in your home you may not sweat as much. Also, wash your face regularly with natural skin care products to clean out oily pores and skin.

Low humidity causes double damage to both your health and your house. The low levels of water vapor can cause structural damage to your house, and you may start to notice cracks in the walls or. Your skin is like the walls of your body, and the skin on your hands can crack and bleed just like the walls in your house. Low humidity can also produce more dust around your house which can lead to asthma, allergic reactions, dust mites, or trouble breathing. One of the most common types of allergic reactions is caused by dust mites that can lead to excessive sneezing, hives, or irritated skin.

To fix the low humidity in your house, which is common during the winter, you can buy humidifiers and place them around your house. Depending on the size of the room, you may need two or three humidifiers placed in a big space. If you don’t want humidifiers around your house or you can afford to spend more money on a home unit, you can purchase whole house humidifiers that can be put directly onto your heating system. If your skin is very dry, I would recommend using an organic eczema oil to moisturize and soothe the cracked skin.

About the Author: Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com.