Ditch the Soda: 8 Old-Fashioned Summer Drinks from the Homestead Kitchen (Healthy & Refreshing!)

Think you need a traditional root cellar to keep your harvest fresh through the winter? Think again. In this episode of the Pioneering Today Podcast, Melissa K. Norris sits down with Sam Knapp of Off Beet Farm in Alaska to talk about practical, no-fuss ways to store root vegetables without a root cellar. You’ll learn the three keys to long-lasting storage—temperature, humidity, and airflow—as well as simple methods like using a spare fridge, Rubbermaid totes, or packing in sand or shavings. Sam also shares which crops are the most forgiving, the best varieties for long-term storage, and how to troubleshoot common problems like shriveling and rodents. Whether you’re a backyard gardener or growing a year’s supply of food, this episode will give you the confidence to keep carrots, beets, potatoes, and cabbages fresh for months. For more information and any links mentioned in today’s podcast, visit https://melissaknorris.com/480 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

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!

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

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

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   

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  

In this episode of the Pioneering Today Podcast, I’m sharing all about my experience as a mentor and homesteading expert on the new show Back to the Frontier. It was such a privilege to help guide modern families as they learned old-fashioned skills and stepped into a simpler, more self-sufficient way of life.  I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what it was really like on set—the challenges, the surprises, and the moments that reminded me why I’m so passionate about preserving these traditional skills and passing them on to the next generation. For more information and any links mentioned in today’s podcast, visit https://melissaknorris.com/474 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

What does it really take to live off the land in today’s world—and could you do it under pressure? In this special episode, I sit down with Stacey Loper, one of the brave contestants from the brand-new TV series Back to the Frontier, where modern families are challenged to survive like the pioneers.  I share my behind-the-scenes experience giving advice to the show's cast, while Stacey opens up about the hardest parts of filming, how faith and grit carried her through, and what lessons she’s bringing home to her real-life homestead.  Whether you’re a seasoned homesteader or just starting out, this conversation will inspire you to get back to basics and trust that you can do hard things. Tune in for a heartfelt, down-to-earth chat about community, resilience, and living intentionally—on and off screen. For more information and any links mentioned in today’s podcast, visit https://melissaknorris.com/473

Join me for this podcast with Will Harris from White Oak Pastures and Taylor Henry from Acres USA as we discuss what's going on with fertilizer companies and immunity for their products.  For more information and any links mentioned in today’s podcast, visit https://melissaknorris.com/472 Grab your tickets to the Modern Homesteading Conference here and use coupon code MKN15 for 15% off: https://modernhomesteading.com/  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

So you want to go on vacation or you need to leave town for a few days... but you have a homestead. Feel like you're stuck? Listen to today’s podcast with four fellow homesteading moms as we share our tips and tricks for how we prepare to leave our homesteads. Plus, the commonly forgotten tasks!  For more information and any links mentioned in today’s podcast, visit https://melissaknorris.com/471 Grab your tickets to the Modern Homesteading Conference here and use coupon code MKN15 for 15% off: https://modernhomesteading.com/  Be sure to check out my dehydrating mini course and all my other classes here: https://melissaknorris.com/classes/ 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