Pioneering Today Podcast - Homesteading in a Modern World

If I had to start my pantry completely over tomorrow, there are only three grains I'd buy for all my baking and cooking. And two of the grains most beginner guides recommend aren't even on my list! When you first start milling your own flour, it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices. Hard red wheat, hard white wheat, soft white wheat, spelt, einkorn, rye... the list goes on! But after nearly 20 years of grinding my own flour, I've learned you don't need a pantry full of different grains to make delicious homemade bread, cookies, cakes, and pastries. In today's episode, I'm sharing the three grains I always keep stocked, why I prefer them, and how to choose the right grain for whatever you're baking. In this episode, we'll cover: 🌾 The three grains I'd buy if I were starting from scratch. 🍞 The difference between hard and soft wheat, and red and white wheat. 🧁 Which grains work best for bread, cookies, cakes, and biscuits. 🥖 How fresh-milled flour affects sourdough starters and rising times. 💰 The two budget-friendly grains I'd recommend for beginners. 🫙 Why storing whole grains makes so much sense for a well-stocked pantry. Whether you're brand new to fresh-milled flour or you've been grinding your own grains for years, I hope this episode helps simplify your baking and gives you the confidence to get started. Resources Mentioned Different Types of Flour: Which Is Best for Baking? – My complete guide to choosing flour for different baked goods: https://melissaknorris.com/podcast/best-flours-for-baking-flour-guide-101/ Baking With Fresh-Milled Flour: 6 Tips for Success – Helpful tips for adjusting recipes and getting better baking results: https://melissaknorris.com/podcast/grinding-flour-6-fresh-flour-baking-tips/ Ancient Grain Einkorn: Health and Baking Guide – Learn how einkorn differs from modern wheat and how to bake with it: https://melissaknorris.com/podcast/ancient-grain-einkorn-baking-guide/ How to Choose a Grain Mill and Grind Flour at Home – What to know before purchasing a grain mill: https://melissaknorris.com/how-to-choose-a-flour-mill-grind-your-own-whole-wheat-flour/ Where to Buy Grains in Bulk – My favorite sources for wheat berries, spelt, einkorn, and other grains: https://melissaknorris.com/podcast/where-to-buy-grains-in-bulk/ Sourdough Baking Tips and Tricks – Tips for working with sourdough and choosing the right flour: https://melissaknorris.com/podcast/sourdough-baking-tips-tricks-for-success/ Ready to start milling your own flour? Shop NutriMill: https://melissaknorris.com/nutrimill Use coupon code MELISSA20 for $20 off selected collections.

This episode is a little different than what I normally share, but it's a message that has been on my heart for months: Get your house in order! After walking through a difficult season with my family, the Lord has been teaching me more about listening for His voice, following His direction, and preparing from a place of wisdom rather than fear. In this episode, I'm sharing what that looks like for me both spiritually and practically, from strengthening our walk with the Lord to making sure our pantry and home are well prepared. We'll talk about what Scripture says about preparation and provision, why food storage and cooking from scratch still matter, and how to prepare wisely without letting fear drive our decisions. For more details, visit the blog post: https://melissaknorris.com/521 Resources Mentioned: 🌱 Heritage Revival Women's Conference https://heritagerevivalevents.com 🌱 Modern Homesteading Conference https://modernhomesteading.com Thank you to Azure Standard for sponsoring this week's podcast. Be sure to check out Azure's great bulk options (like grain, flour, salt, rice, popcorn and sugar!) for stocking your pantry for the year! If you're brand new to Azure Standard, you can save 15% on your first order of $100 or more (to a drop location) with code "MELISSA15" at checkout: https://melissaknorris.com/azure-standard

What's the herbal equivalent of aspirin, Tylenol, or ibuprofen? It's one of the most common questions people ask when they first start learning about medicinal herbs, and it makes sense. Most of us have been taught to identify a symptom and then reach for something designed to make that symptom go away. But herbalism works differently. In this episode, I'm sharing why simply swapping a pharmaceutical for an herb can cause us to miss one of the most important parts of herbal medicine: looking at the whole person, not just the symptom. We'll talk about how herbal actions and herbal energetics work together, why two people with the same cold may benefit from completely different herbs, and how hot, cool, dry, and moist patterns can help guide the herbs you choose. I'll also explain the difference between acute and chronic conditions, why your overall health, lifestyle, medications, and existing conditions matter when choosing herbs, and why "natural" does not automatically mean harmless. You'll hear how my own approach to herbal medicine changed from trying to find an herbal replacement for every over-the-counter medication to learning how to match the right herb to the right person. If you want to build a natural medicine cabinet you actually know how to use, this episode will give you an important foundation. Links Mentioned: Join my LIVE herbal challenge October 5-7, 2026, where we'll make three herbal remedies together, step-by-step: https://melissaknorris.com/herbchallenge Grab my FREE Herbal Energetics Chart here: https://melissaknorris.com/herbalenergetics Thanks to Toups & Co for sponsoring this podcast! If you'd like to check them out (and save 25% on your first order), head over to https://melissaknorris.com/toupsandco and use coupon code MELISSA25 for 25% off your order.

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, Who does it all belong to? Most of us naturally think of our homes, businesses, gardens, and finances as our own. But what if the Bible paints a different picture? What if we're not owners at all, but stewards of everything God has entrusted to us? In this episode, I'm joined by David Stelzer, president of Azure Standard and author of Seeds of Hope. Together, we explore the biblical difference between stewardship and ownership, what it means to build a God-led business, and how trusting God's principles can transform the way we approach our homes, homesteads, finances, and daily lives. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why seeing God as the true Owner changes everything. • The biblical principle of stewardship versus ownership. • How Azure Standard has built a business guided by faith and biblical values. • What Scripture teaches about Sabbath rest for both the land and ourselves. • How an abundance mindset replaces fear and scarcity with trust in God's provision. • Practical ways to faithfully steward what God has placed in your hands. Whether you're managing a backyard garden, raising a family, running a business, or simply seeking to live more faithfully, this conversation will encourage you to view every area of your life through the lens of biblical stewardship. Resources Mentioned: Grab all the resources on the accompanying blog post here: https://melissaknorris.com/517 Seeds of Hope by David Stelzer: https://amzn.to/4wiHGEE Azure Standard: https://melissaknorris.com/azure-standard Thanks to Azure Standard for sponsoring this podcast. If you're looking to shop from a company you can trust has your best interest in mind, give Azure Standard a try. Be sure to use coupon code MELISSA15 on your first order of $100 or more (delivered to a drop location only) and start stocking your pantry with wholesome foods without all the junk. https://melissaknorris.com/azure-standard