Simple Farmhouse Life

After a health scare in her twenties, Melissa K. Norris returned to her roots with traditional, from-scratch cooking—and never looked back. In this episode, she shares the simple swaps that make a big difference, her favorite freezer and batch-cooking tips, and why it’s easier than you think to build nourishing kitchen rhythms. We also chat about her updated cookbook Home and Handmade, a practical and inspiring guide for anyone wanting to cook with real ingredients and a whole lot of heart. Tune in for encouragement and doable ideas to make old-fashioned cooking work in your modern life!In this episode, we cover:Melissa’s health journey and how it led to a total shift toward from-scratch, whole-food cookingWhy starting with the most frequently eaten foods makes the biggest impact on health and budgetCommon harmful ingredients to avoid and easy one-for-one swaps for better oils, sugars, and saltsThe myth that homemade food is hard—many convenience foods can be replaced in minutesEncouragement that old-fashioned kitchen skills are doable and worthwhile, no matter your lifestyleBatch cooking strategies for breakfast, dinner, and baked goods that reduce stress and food wasteUsing freezers effectively: pre-shaped doughs, cookie dough logs, veggie scrap bags, and bulk meatsThe power of simple routines, momentum, and planning just a day or two ahead– it doesn’t have to be all or nothingMelissa’s updated book Home and Handmade—a practical guide to whole food, herbal remedies, and homemade livingView full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.RESOURCES MENTIONEDHome and Hand Made by Melissa K. NorrisJoin my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTubeMaster the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough courseGain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing seriesTurn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success AcademyKeep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbookCONNECTMelissa K. Norris | Website | Podcast | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | PinterestDo you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you’d like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I’m chatting with Christine from Frugal Fit Mom all about feeding your family well on a budget—without stressing over perfection. Christine shares her tried-and-true strategies for keeping grocery costs low in today’s economy, including how she stocks her pantry, finds the best meat deals, and plans meals based on what’s already on hand. We also dive into the hidden costs of organic and local food, why she skips most grocery delivery services, and how you can still enjoy fun foods without blowing the budget. Whether you’re shopping for two or ten, this episode is full of real-life tips you can start using today. In this episode, we cover: Why Christine avoids Instacart and prefers Walmart Pickup for cost savings The key pantry staples she stocks up on—and how that helps reduce impulse grocery runs Her method for spotting true stock-up prices on meat and stretching it to feed a large family How she feeds a family of five (including three teen boys) on as little as $200/month A realistic starting point for grocery budgeting: $150 per person per month Why she generally skips organic (aside from milk) and how local sourcing can dramatically increase grocery costs How reverse meal planning works and why it saves more than traditional recipe-first planning Tips for making frugal meals taste amazing with salt, fat, and acid Christine’s go-to bread recipe (not sourdough!) and how she keeps it soft for days Her rule for buying fun foods like chips and ice cream—only when they’re 50% off How shopping less frequently helps avoid overspending (even for perishables) ⁠View full show notes on the blog⁠ + ⁠watch this episode on YouTube⁠. RESOURCES ⁠Check out Christine’s banana bread recipe⁠ Join my ⁠FREE masterclass⁠ to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my ⁠Simple Sourdough course⁠ Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my ⁠Simple Sewing series⁠ Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my ⁠YouTube Success Academy⁠ Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my ⁠Daily Sourdough cookbook⁠ CONNECT Christine Ashby of Frugal Fit Mom | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠YouTube⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠ Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | ⁠Blog⁠ | ⁠YouTube⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠TikTok⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠ | ⁠Pinterest⁠ Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you’d like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: ⁠bit.ly/SFLquestions⁠.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this solo Q&A episode, I’m diving into your most-asked questions about motherhood, homemaking, and our new farmhouse build. From figuring out how to prioritize marriage when you have little ones, to managing clutter and paper piles, to designing a kitchen that actually works for a real family—I’m sharing what’s working (and what’s not) in our home right now. I also cover topics like breastfeeding while pregnant, sourdough fermentation timing, pantry organization, and how we’re thinking through long-term homesteading plans. If you're navigating the beautiful chaos of family life while trying to live intentionally, this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: Navigating weddings and events while co-sleeping and breastfeeding a baby or toddler Normalizing having a great marriage with less “perfect” marriage moments in busy seasons How to have a relaxing in-home date night and why it might actually be better Kitchen and pantry flow: am I worried it will be inconvenient to keep the fridge inside the pantry? Design uncertainty and the challenge of visualizing space before living in it Listener tip: what two products every mom should have on hand for allergic reactions Fermenting water kefir safely without explosions Plans to plant fruit trees and long-term property development goals How I avoid countertop clutter and what we do with important documents to keep them from piling up Naturally weaning a toddler when I become pregnant with the next child Why I am choosing old-house charm even if it's not always the most practical or convenient Is it better to long ferment sourdough bread with a small amount of starter? Troubleshooting issues with gritty texture in bread made with freshly-milled flour How I handle going out in public with kids who are constantly getting their clothes dirty View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. ⁠Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible⁠! RESOURCES MENTIONED ⁠Listen to my conversation with Katie Voetberg on episode 190 of the podcast⁠ ⁠Check out my conversation with Katie & Elisha on their podcast, Now That We’re a Family⁠ ⁠NTWAF episode on their recent home build⁠ Join my ⁠FREE masterclass⁠ to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my ⁠Simple Sourdough course⁠ Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my ⁠Simple Sewing series⁠ Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my ⁠YouTube Success Academy⁠ Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my ⁠Daily Sourdough cookbook⁠ CONNECT Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | ⁠Blog⁠ | ⁠YouTube⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠TikTok⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠ | ⁠Pinterest⁠ Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you’d like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: ⁠bit.ly/SFLquestions⁠. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I’m joined by Meg of Hollar Homestead to talk about what it really looks like to raise a large family on a homestead. From cooking from scratch and homeschooling rhythms to livestock management and letting go of perfection, Meg offers a refreshingly honest take on simple, intentional living. We are diving into: Starting a homestead with pigs and raised beds Stepping away from dairy cows (for now) Nourishing meals for large families Letting kids cook and carry the load Emergency prep after Hurricane Helene Encouragement for moms in busy seasons 📝 ⁠Full show notes + links to everything mentioned in this episode⁠ 📺 ⁠Watch the full episode on YouTube⁠ Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you’d like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: ⁠bit.ly/SFLquestions⁠. ⁠Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible⁠!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you’ve been trying to eat well but feel stuck sorting through conflicting nutrition advice, this episode is for you. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Cate Shanahan for a practical conversation about why modern nutrition feels so confusing and how traditional diets offer a simpler framework for long-term health. We talk through how seed oils quietly replaced more nourishing fats in the modern food supply, why they play such a big role in how processed foods impact our health, and how simple fat swaps can make a real difference without changing everything you eat. If you’re looking for clarity, common sense, and realistic steps you can apply in your everyday life, I think you’ll really enjoy this conversation! In this episode, we cover: - Why so many people feel overwhelmed and confused by modern nutrition advice and how looking to traditional diets helps cut through the noise - Dr. Cate’s background in genetics and family medicine and how one generation’s food choices can shape the next - The four pillars found across traditional cultures that support long-term health (fresh foods, ferments and sprouting, bone broth, and organ meats) - How modern convenience foods quietly replaced nutrient-dense fats with industrial seed oils - Why seed oils are the true driver behind why junk food makes people feel and look unwell - A breakdown of the “Hateful Eight” seed oils to watch for when reading ingredient labels - The difference between toxic seed oils and neutral refined oils and why not all refined fats are equal - How to identify truly healthy fats by taste, labeling, and how they’re processed - Why simply swapping fats (without changing the rest of the meal) can have a major impact on health - The hidden places seed oils show up (even in organic and “healthy” grocery items) - A realistic, low-stress approach to reducing seed oils without trying to overhaul everything overnight - Why consumer demand is finally shifting the food industry toward better fat choices and what that means for home cooks View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Pick up your copies of Dr. Cate’s books: Deep Nutrition: Why Your Genes Need Traditional Food Dark Calories: How Vegetable Oils Destroy Our Health and How We Can Get It Back Receive Dr. Cate’s email newsletter by signing up here Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Dr. Cate Shanahan | Website | Instagram | Facebook | X Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you’d like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As teens near the end of high school, many families feel the sudden pressure of answering the question, what’s next? In this episode, Hannah and I dive into how the modern college system developed, why it often no longer fits the realities of work and opportunity, and what can be lost when college becomes the default without a clear end goal. Hannah lays out her practical framework for helping teens think through future work based on real-life needs—not just passion—and why slowing the process down matters more than ever. If you’re looking for insight into guiding your teen through this important transition in life, don’t miss this episode! In this episode, we cover: - Navigating the sudden pressure of everyone asking “what’s next?” when teens near the end of high school - How the modern college system developed and why today’s default path no longer matches the realities of work, debt, or opportunity - The surprising data behind how few jobs actually require a college degree and why degree inflation persists anyway - What gets lost when young adults are pushed into college without clarity– time, confidence, flexibility, and momentum - Reframing career conversations away from passion-first thinking and toward identifying real-life needs and long-term goals - A practical framework for helping teens evaluate their desired future work based on income, schedule, location, and work environment - Why exposure and exploration matter more than credentials, and how simply shadowing careers of interest can prevent costly missteps - How student loan debt quietly limits future options like family life, entrepreneurship, and location flexibility - Why parents play a critical role in slowing the process down, asking better questions, and refusing to co-sign unclear decisions - Encouragement for families who feel unsure how to guide teens without a clear roadmap and why building an individualized plan together is worth the effort View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Listen to the 1000 Hours Outside interview with Hannah Grab a copy of Hannah’s book, The Degree Free Way: How to Help Your 16-20 Year Old Build the Life They Want Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Hannah of Degree Free | Website | Instagram | YouTube | X Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you’d like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Clutter often adds to the mental load of motherhood in ways we don’t always notice. In this episode, we talk about why women tend to feel the weight of clutter more deeply, how “just in case” thinking fills our homes, and what true preparedness looks like. We walk through unfinished projects, kids’ toys, digital clutter, and paperwork, offering simple, realistic ways to let go without guilt. If you’ve been craving a calmer, more functional home without chasing perfection, join us for this practical and encouraging conversation! In this episode, we cover: - Why clutter affects women more than men and how a stressful home environment compounds the mental load of motherhood - The difference between true preparedness and keeping “just in case” items that never actually get used - A practical way to evaluate things you plan to fix someday and how to finally let them go without guilt - How community, shared resources, and skills can replace the pressure to own and store everything yourself - Rethinking modern convenience items, appliances, and technology that add more complexity than ease in daily life - Handling manuals, paperwork, and household information digitally to reduce piles, decision fatigue, and visual clutter - Creating simple systems for managing food storage, bulk buying, and pantry organization without overcomplicating it - Realistic strategies for managing kids’ toys, rotating items, and reducing daily cleanup without constant battles - How to shop more intentionally by slowing down purchases, making space before buying, and acknowledging your current season - Letting go of sentimental clutter while still preserving meaningful memories in ways that don’t overwhelm your home - The hidden weight of digital clutter, from endless photos and screenshots to the pressure modern moms feel to document every moment instead of simply living it View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Check out Robyn’s previous appearances on SFL: Episode 219 | Prioritize Peace in Your Home: Build Your Decluttering Skills in the New Year Episode 268: Do You Have Too Much Stuff? Simplify Your Life Through Decluttering and Minimalism Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Robyn of Minimalist Home | Website | Instagram | YouTube Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you’d like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

So much of motherhood and homemaking lies in learning to hold both the big-picture vision and the everyday realities with open hands. In this episode, I’m sharing our current farmhouse building update, the excitement of turning my attention to interior design choices, and reflections on raising babies in two very different eras of motherhood. I’m chatting through toxin anxiety, health decisions, and why I lean heavily on practicality and the 80/20 mindset. I also dive into the tools and rhythms that make newborn life peaceful in our home— woven wraps, intuitive nursing, co-sleeping, and eventually transitioning little ones to independent sleep. If you need reassurance, perspective, or just an honest chat about real-life motherhood from a mom of nine, join me for this Q&A! In this episode, we cover: - Starting with a current house update— a pause in building, window delays, linseed-oil–paint prep, and the excitement of finally moving into insulation and interior choices - It is time to re-orient my creative brain toward selecting paint colors, finishes, and a more collected, relaxed country decor style with the help of a designer friend - Reflections on becoming a mom across two very different eras—before smartphones, before constant internet advice—and how perspective shapes confidence - A listener question on toxin anxiety, lead concerns, EMFs, PUFAs, tick bites, and how I keep worry in check by leaning on experience and practicality - The balance between caring about health and letting go of what can’t be controlled—embracing the 80/20 mindset in food, lifestyle, and motherhood - Why woven wraps remain my most-used newborn tool, plus a simple overview my favorite carry, how wovens differ from stretch wraps, and the real-life practicality of babywearing in a busy home - An look at our experience with baby tongue ties— four kids with ties, five without, what releases have looked like, and why each experience was different - A deep dive into my newborn approach: no wake windows, no schedules, responsive nursing, intuitive rhythms, and embracing babywearing and co-sleeping to make the early months peaceful - What co-sleeping safely looks like for our family and how I transition babies to independent sleep around age one - Thoughts on organic vs. non-organic foods in real life, and why I don’t stress about every single grocery purchase - A peek into bedtime routines with multiple young kids— reading together, keeping the process simple, and why teaching little ones to fall asleep on their own is key for us - Handling night wakings, self-soothing, and why I don’t feel guilty about sleep training when the time comes View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Follow my friend Anne at @Storied_Interiors for interior home design inspiration Check out the Farmhouse on Boone YouTube channel to catch up on our farmhouse building project A few of my recent home building updates: collecting architectural salvage pieces for our home, a recent walk-through of our build Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you’d like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.