Rooted in the Wild. Grounded in Real Life.
I’m Danielle. Feral, fiercely opinionated, and completely over the cottagecore fantasy, homesteading purity cult, and fear-mongering food trends. If you're here for that, you’re in the wrong place.
But if you’re sick of self-sufficiency fairytales, purity culture guilt-trips, and the all-or-nothing homesteading crowd? You’re exactly where you belong.
The Rustic Elk is where wild food, seasonal traditions, and hands-on craft meet real-life practicality. No diet dogma. No elitist bullshit. No pretending we all have time to churn our own butter every morning. Just good food, feral wisdom, and modern skills that actually work.
How I Got Here
Once upon a time, I thought I had to fit into the homesteading mold. You know the one—simple, self-sufficient, “pure” living with perfectly curated sourdough starters and homegrown everything.
But here’s the truth: I hated it.
I love making things from scratch, but I also buy my yogurt at the store. I love working with herbs and wild foods, but I’m not here to convince you that modern medicine is evil. I love seasonal cooking, but I don’t have the time (or patience) to make my own cheese every week.
Somewhere along the way, I realized I didn’t have to choose between wild, untamed ancestral wisdom and modern, practical convenience. I could do both. I could live seasonally, cook wildly, craft my own salves, and embrace old traditions without giving up modern life.
And that’s exactly what The Rustic Elk is about.
What You'll Find Here
This space is for the wild-hearted, practical-minded, and fiercely independent—for those who want to embrace seasonal living without getting lost in the noise.
✦ Wild & Foraged – Venison, wild food, and foraging guides for a primal kitchen.
✦ Harvest to Jar – Canning, fermenting, and preserving food without the fear-mongering.
✦ The Feral Kitchen – High-protein, seasonal recipes that fit real life.
✦ Apothecary & Alchemy – Herbal remedies, moody crafts, and DIY traditions.
If you’re here for wild flavors, no-fuss preservation, practical ancestral skills, and a little kitchen magic—welcome home.
Who This is For
This space is for you if you:
✔️ Eat venison because it’s what’s in the freezer, not because it’s trendy.
✔️ Want to make things from scratch—but also love modern cheats.
✔️ Are sick of food cults, homesteading fear-mongering, and all-or-nothing bullshit.
✔️ Love a good feral craft, seasonal tradition, and cooking with intention.
If that sounds like you—you're in the right place.
Where to Start
👉 If You’re Here for the Recipes – Start with this Venison Chili or Pizza Dough
👉 If You Love DIY & Herbalism – Start with this Goat Milk Lotion Recipe
👉 If You Want to Preserve the Season – Start with this Canning Oranges or Christmas Jam
And if you want to stick around? Keep scrolling.
Join the Community
📬 Get the Wild Almanac – Your weekly hit of seasonal food, feral crafts, and practical skills—without the purity culture BS.
👥 Join the Wild + Domestic Collective Facebook Group – A space for seasonal living, wild food, and hands-on skills. Come hang out!
This isn’t a Pinterest-perfect homestead. It’s real-life seasonal living—messy, practical, and deeply connected to food, craft, and tradition.
Stick around. There’s magic in the ordinary. ✨