Dinner Without the Scramble: 4 Moms Share Their Best Secrets
Think from-scratch cooking is hard or takes too much time? The truth is, with a stocked pantry, a few simple substitutions, and some foundational kitchen skills, you can make healthy, homemade meals in less time than it takes to run to the store. In this podcast, we're busting the top myths about from-scratch cooking and showing you how to: ✅ Swap ingredients with easy substitutions (no last-minute store runs!) ✅ Make boxed food favorites from scratch—faster and healthier ✅ Save time with meal planning that actually fits your family ✅ Reheat leftovers so they taste fresh and delicious ✅ Build a stocked pantry that makes dinner stress-free You’ll see how learning just a handful of simple techniques can transform your kitchen, your budget, and your confidence as a home cook. From homemade cream-of-soup that takes four minutes to a DIY biscuit mix that beats Bisquick, cooking from scratch has never been easier. 👉 Want to go deeper? Join me for my FREE live training, “From-Scratch Cooking Made Easy,” on September 8th where I’ll share pantry staples, substitution secrets, and time-saving tips: https://melissaknorris.com/kitchen Related Videos & Resources: • Homemade Cream of Soup Substitute: https://melissaknorris.com/the-best-cream-of-soup-recipes-youll-ever-make/ • How to Meal Plan Without the Stress: https://melissaknorris.com/podcast/how-to-meal-plan-for-easy-healthy-meals-from-scratch/ • Homemade Biscuit Mix Recipe: https://melissaknorris.com/homemade-biscuit-mix/ ✨ If you’re ready to ditch the boxes and serve your family nourishing meals every night—without the overwhelm—this podcast is for you!
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Ditch the Soda: 8 Old-Fashioned Summer Drinks from the Homestead Kitchen (Healthy & Refreshing!)
Looking for healthy and refreshing summer drinks that aren’t soda? In this podcast, we’re sharing our favorite homemade beverages to help you stay cool and hydrated on hot summer days. From sparkling lemon spritzers and fruity mocktails to herbal iced teas, iced coffee, and smoothies. You’ll find plenty of delicious options made with real ingredients right from your kitchen or garden. What you’ll learn in this podcast: Easy soda alternatives you can make at home Seasonal fruit mocktails like watermelon basil & rhubarb lemonade How to use herbs for refreshing iced teas and infused waters My go-to protein shake and iced coffee recipe Simple tricks like herbed ice cubes & chia pudding for cool summer treats Say goodbye to sugary sodas and hello to nourishing drinks that actually hydrate and satisfy! For more information and any links mentioned in today’s podcast, visit https://melissaknorris.com/478
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From Burnout to Balance: What a Mature Homestead Really Looks Like
In this special episode, I sat down with my dear friend Carolyn Thomas from Homesteading Family, right in her Idaho home! We’re pulling back the curtain on what life looks like on a mature homestead. After over two decades each of growing food, raising animals, and running busy households, we’re sharing what we’ve let go of, what we’re leaning into, and how we’re building homesteads that truly work for our families and seasons of life. From letting go of burnout and fussy crops to rethinking dairy animals, planning for grown kids, and producing more animal feed right on the land. This is a real, refreshing conversation you won’t want to miss. For more information and any links mentioned in today’s podcast, visit https://melissaknorris.com/477 This podcast is sponsored by Azure Standard. For first-time Azure customers, you can get 15% off your first order of $100 or more by using coupon code "MELISSA15" at checkout: https://melissaknorris.com/azure-standard
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Make the Most of This Summer: Creating Traditions That Matter
This episode is near and dear to my heart. With one child officially out of the house and my daughter quickly approaching adulthood, I've found myself feeling all the feelings this summer: nostalgic, grateful, and more intentional than ever. I gathered a few dear homesteading friends for a heartfelt kitchen roundtable where we shared our favorite summer memories, the simple things that stuck with us from childhood, and how we're creating meaningful traditions with our families today. We’re talking bonfires, camping, blackberry picking, and yes, even escape rooms and game nights! You'll hear how summer rhythms have shifted for each of us over the years, what’s working in this season, and why it’s okay to buy the hot dog buns and use paper plates if it means more time connecting with your people. If you're longing for a slower, richer summer full of real connection, this episode is for you. Let's make the most of the season we’re in, together. For more information and any links mentioned in today’s podcast, visit https://melissaknorris.com/476 Grab Plated by Season here: https://melissaknorris.com/plated
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The Truth About Parasites: What You Need to Know for Better Health
If the idea of parasites gives you the creepy-crawlies, you’re not alone, but chances are, you’ve already got a few living in your body right now. In this episode, I’m joined again by Dr. Torrie Thompson, a functional medicine doctor who walks us through how common parasites actually are, the surprising symptoms they can cause, and how we can support our bodies in safely removing them. We’re talking about everything from food sensitivities and skin rashes to poor sleep and anxiety, and how they might be linked to hidden infections. Dr. Torrie also shares what herbs, binders, and protocols she uses in her own practice, as well as what to avoid if you're not ready to detox yet. If you’re feeling off and haven’t found answers, this might be the missing piece. For more information and any links mentioned in today’s podcast, visit https://melissaknorris.com/475
Pioneering Today is all about getting back to basics, simple living, and self-sufficiency with old-fashioned skills and wisdom in a modern world. With heirloom gardening, canning, preserving the harvest, from scratch cooking, raising your own food, including livestock (backyard chickens, pigs, and cattle), natural medicine, herbs, DIY like soap making along with living a simple self-sufficient life, no matter where you live. Hosted by 5th generation homesteader, Melissa K. Norris, author of The Made-from-Scratch Life. This podcast brings you the conversation from MelissaKNorris.com and The Pioneering Today Academy, with Q&A's, teaching, tutorials, and always giving you practical ways and tips to live the simple and self-sufficient life.
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