Living Free in Tennessee - Nicole Sauce

Homesteading, food, freedom and fun!

Tuesday Coffee With John Willis, Nicole Sauce and Jack Spirko - EP 1044 06/03/2025

Farm Stands, Pickled Beets and More - EP 1043 06/02/2025

Farm Stands, Pickled Beets and More - EP 1043 Today, I take your questions in an old-school LFTN Variety Show: Pickling beets, more about our new farmstand, how to prioritize what you grow in your smaller garden space, how to prioritize your time on the homestead and more. We will also cover our usual Monday segments. Featured Event: River and Imanee’s Solstice Meetup at Haven Villiage, June 21 - I will be making cheese in case you want to come see that. Sponsor 1: Sponsor 2: The Wealthsteading Podcast, Tales from the Prepper Pantry 20 quarts of extra tomato sauce from last year Initiating canning season with round one of pickling Drying herbs from the garden on rotation - adding it to the homestead store Preparing meatloafs in advance while also cooking them for now Weekly Shopping Report Dollar Tree was first. The drink selection always changes, but there was plenty of stock. That’s all we needed in there this time, after adding a variety of storage containers and the like, and minor health items over the past several weeks. The online price of a 2x4x8 stud at Home Depot is still $3.85. Aldi was last. We found everything we wanted. There have been a number of price changes since the last report, but nothing dramatic. Egg and milk prices have definitely come down. Staple prices were: bread (20 oz. white): $1.39; eggs: $3.46 (-); whole milk: $2.66 (-); heavy cream: $5.29; OJ: $4.25 (+); butter: $3.75 (+); bacon: $3.99; potatoes: $4.39; sugar: $3.29 (+); flour: $2.35; and 80% ground beef: $4.69 (+). I may make an additional trip tomorrow to Walgreens as I recently opened my last melatonin, and I want another wrist brace. I will likely also stop at the adjacent Food City for another bag of Meow Mix (that our cats ask for by name). Untainted regular gasoline at Weigels is still $3.59/gallon. Frugality Tip from Margo Down here in Florida we are getting ready for the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. For two weeks we get to purchase things such as batteries, coolers, tarps, radios, fuel tanks, and generators and not have to pay sales tax. We are currently in the market for a new generator and we are going to save about $100 buying that during this break. So look up your states tax holidays and see what you can purchase during them and save some money. Happy Savings y'all Main topic of the Show: A variety show Tina in Arkansas asks: “I’ve got more beets than we can eat—how do you preserve them? Nicole Sauce’s Pickled Beet Recipe 1/4 bushel beets makes about seven quarts Brine: 1/2 cup pickling or kosher salt 5.5 cups 5% vinegar 6 cups water Per quart jar spice mix (add to jar) 2 heads dill weed 2-4 cloves garlic 1-2 hot peppers (cayenne or jalapeno) 6 peppercorns Process method: Cold pack Process time: 20 minutes for pints, 25 minutes for quarts (wait 6 weeks before eating so everything tastes well blended) Aunt Helen’s Beet Pickles with an extra step (Courtesy of Mama Sauce) 1/4 bushel beets makes about 10 pints. Brine (make enough batched to cover beets) 1 qt vinegar (5% acidity) 6 c sugar 2 TBSP salt (plain, kosher, or pickling: may not be iodized) 2 tsp pickling spice Lots of beets Boil beets in water. Skin and slice more thinly than for a regular pickled beet: say 1/8” or thinner. Pack in glass container or containers. Keep track of how many beets you’ve pickled (for backpack portion control.) Bring brine to boil. Completely cover beets. If you plan to eat these without further processing, pack and seal in wide-mouth Mason jars in the usual fashion. If you plan to dehydrate, why not pickle in a single glass bowl? Cover and let pickle for 2 weeks. Then you can eat or dehydrate them. To dehydrate: Drain beets. You can save and reuse the pickling solution a time or two before you should dump it and make fresh, so you can run successive batches. Mark from middle Tennessee asks: “What’s your setup for the new farmstand—how are you building it, and how are you handling payment without having someone there full time?” Start with what we have Considering pickup hours beyond opening for the gatherings here Honor system set up is step 2 Waiting on feedback from the community Want to add something to the store? Contact me Lisa from Kentucky writes: “We’ve downsized our garden space this year—how do you decide what to plant when you’re working with limited square footage but still want to preserve food?” List Decide what you like to grow and what grows well Layer your beds Develop local relatiionships David in Texas asks: “What’s the cheapest way to test a product idea from your homestead before going all-in? I’ve got eggs, herbs, and soap—but don’t want to waste time.” Wrong question Nate in Kentucky asks: “How do you approach banking and online payments without getting sucked deeper into centralized control?” I dont worry about it. Do you want to build wealth and make a profit in your business? Then you shouldn’t either. How do we opt out of the system? Become ungovernable Relationships Cryptocurrency - learn it and use it Skills and Homesteading Rachel from North Carolina asks: “How do you keep your business tasks organized when your farm life, podcast, and everything else are constantly pulling at you?” My3Things Sometimes I don’t Ian in Alabama says: “I'm thinking about building a greenhouse—what lessons did you learn from the swim spa greenhouse idea that might save me time and money?” Im not putting a greenhouse there is what i learned Tailor it to your needs and climate Patrick from Ohio asks: “I want to host a small event on my property—what’s the best way to start without getting overwhelmed by logistics or liability?” Start with a party Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: Telegram Group: Odysee: Resources /episode/index/show/nicolesauce/id/36823980

Wild Raspberries, Sea Showers, and Homesteader Grocery Homestead Happenings for May 30, 2025 - EP 1042 05/30/2025

Following the Path: Bear Independent's March To Freedom - EP 1041 05/28/2025

Following the Path: Bear Independent's March To Freedom - EP 1041 Today I am joined by TJ, AKA Bear Independent, on how he found and followed the path toward light and freedom. This is a deep discussion about falling, faith and freedom. Connect with Bear! Show Sponsors: Above Phone, Coupon code livefreetn, Personal Transformation Journey: Bear shares his profound life transformation from an angry, destructive young man playing in heavy metal bands to a purposeful, faith-driven individual focused on serving others and following a spiritual calling. Pivotal Life Moments: Several critical events shaped his path, including being diagnosed with colon cancer, meeting his wife Harmony, returning to church, and experiencing multiple near-death experiences that he believes were divinely preserved. Radical Personal Responsibility: Bear emphasizes the importance of self-examination, actively taking control of one's life, and deliberately choosing to focus on positive intentions rather than dwelling on negativity or past mistakes. Spiritual Calling and Service: His journey evolved from playing worship music to rescuing children, building restoration facilities, and creating ministries that help people heal from traumatic experiences, driven by a belief in serving a higher purpose. Freedom Through Obedience: Bear describes freedom not as rebellion, but as willingly following spiritual guidance, even when it's uncomfortable, and using personal experiences of darkness to help others navigate similar challenges. Entrepreneurial and Ministry Work: He has developed multiple businesses and ministries, including Refuge and Caleb House, focusing on preparedness, rescue operations, and rehabilitation for traumatized children, demonstrating his commitment to practical service. Empowerment and Potential: A core message is that anyone can transform their life by getting out of their own way, taking radical personal responsibility, and pursuing their true calling with persistence and faith. Make it a great week GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Mewe Group: Telegram Group: Odysee: Advisory Board Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources /episode/index/show/nicolesauce/id/36760065

Purpose and Passion On Your Homestead - EP 1040 05/23/2025

Marrying Heart And Profit With 3rd Day Beverages - EP 1039 05/21/2025

Stop Lying To Yourself About Being Late - EP 1038 05/19/2025

Stop Lying To Yourself About Being Late - EP 1038 Today, we talk about building success into your life through taking control of your schedule. Are you one of those people who is late all the time? Then this show is for you. We will also cover all of our usual Monday segments. Featured Event: Exit and Build Land Summit: Sponsor 1: Sponsor 2: Tales from the Prepper Pantry Big Changes Coming to the HH and their impact on the pantry process One more big trip from the pantry - was glad there was a ham in the freezer! Operation Manufacture Meatloaf We put up more food than needed last year, lessons from that Saturday Salad Prep Frugality Tip: Theme Park Savings From Margo Visiting a theme park or the like can end up costing an arm and a leg. You are allowed to bring snacks and one sealed bottle of water per person just about everywhere. I carry a backpack and snacks and bring a cold bottle of water. I also bring an empty thermal water bottle to transfer the cold water to, so it stays cold. Also carrying a reusable water containment device allows you to refill it at any water machine. In parks that have the freestyle machines that only works with a specific cup, the water will always come out even if you do not have the special expensive cup. So to save quite a few dollars, grab a backpack and some snacks and hit the parks. Happy Savings y'all Operation Independence What collections do you have of value that you no longer actually care about? Old Magic The Gathering Cards on Ebay are offsetting the $800 vet bill for Mortimer. $180 in, $620 to go! Main topic of the Show: Stop Lying To Yourself About Being Late Laws of Life Book: Confession - I am TERRIBLE with time awareness. Even though I am known as a time Nazi who keeps events on schedule. How can these two things happen together Why then, am I usually not only on time to things but a little early? Because I have been time hurt. It’s that simple. Are you chronically behind? In the habit of sending texts to people that you are going to need another five minutes? Or fifteen? Do you constantly explain to people why you didn't make it on time? If so, then today is for you. Today might be hard to hear. But do you want to build success in your life? Then bear with me as we break this down. Eric’s Meeting Story But the core issue is bigger. It is the GREAT LIE. “I’m late because my sheep got out and I had to chase them back in.” is MAYBE a reason, MAYBE true, but is not the whole picture is it? When you are willing to step back and see the whole picture, we often find that the reason something caused us to “be late” is less to do about the thing that happened and more to do with us. One of the most powerful words in the English language is NO. One of the things business owners need to learn to say most often is NO. In fact, if you are running your family schedule, or even still at a JOB, the word NO is how you start being on time more often. Why? Because NO is the way that you build time into your schedule to properly handle things, build in a travel buffer, have mostly interruption free meetings, and, generally, start being on time. Being on time to something means you have while heartedly said YES to it. You are aware it exists. You have made the time. And you have said NO to many other things to make it happen. So how do we change as a chronically late person? Why do you think I said no to every speaking engagement for dang near 8 months? Because I was going to disappoint people by saying yes then not showing up the way I needed to. In fact, I was already disappointing people when I realized what was happening last year. So I got good at NO. No is your number one relationship protection tool. And are you a people pleaser? You are? Yah I know that - it takes one to know one. We say yes to everything and think that no will hurt feelings. Know what hurts feelings more destructively over time? Being late. But if you are always late? That my friend is a symptom. It can be a sympton of great things, like growth. But it is also a sympton that warrents attention. Because if you are growing and you are always late, your next phase is complete burn out if you dont learn no. So go out there and show us you can do it. You can do the most important things and say no to the nonsense. Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: Telegram Group: Odysee: Resources /episode/index/show/nicolesauce/id/36630775

Orange Ewe, Bunny Ears and More, Homestead Happenings EP 1037 05/16/2025

Building Your Family Business With Em Roehrman - EP 1036 05/14/2025

Episode 1035: Filter of Firehose - The First Date Dilemma 05/12/2025

Episode 1035: Filter of Firehose - The First Date Dilemma Today we will address a question that came up in the context of building community: How much of your true self should you share with a new community, particularly if you are an intense person? I realized this goes for courting as well so we will discuss it along with all our usual Monday Segments: Tales From The Prepper Pantry, Operation Independence and MORE... Featured Event: Self Reliance Festival Sponsor 1: Sponsor 2: Jack Spirko, The Survival Podcast, Laws of Life Launch Feedback to: [email protected] Tales from the Prepper Pantry Pantry Road Food - check (We still ate out along the way) Getting more swiss chard than we can eat at the moment Final Freezer Re-organization and recipe of the week Prepper Pantry Redo Update: WAAAAY Easier to share resources Frugality Tip From Margo I do grow some plants from seed, but I buy plants too. This year Walmart has a store brand of plant starts that are $2.48, which is more than half the price of the other name brand. The selection isn't large, but if you want to grow something without having to spend too much this is a great option. Walmart also marks plants down on Tuesday and Friday, I go in on Wednesdays. This week I got a pot with two jalapeno plants that are over 2' tall with flowers and some peppers on them for $4, marked down from $12, and a few weeks ago I found some tomato starts for $1. Operation Independence Gutter Magic Filter or Firehose Set: Bear’s presentation on layers of community and the question (I’m weird) Dating these days 5 elements of building community Create Contribute Connect Clarity Compassion Purpose of dating Partnership or hookup - which person are you? Courting Filter or Firehose? Why not both? (The honesty issue) The weird factor Learn Social Cues - but be willing to directly communicate You are the story you tell yourself Eyore Syndrome Doers, neutral, takers Journey versus destination Digital impact on relationship and community development, in-person communication Sussing out shared values, priorities, long term vision Filter or firehose? Why not both? Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: Telegram Group: Odysee: Resources /episode/index/show/nicolesauce/id/36539200

Hijacked By A Redneck & Escaping Sheep Homestead Happenings 05/12/2025

Tuesday Coffee With John Willis, Nicole Sauce and Jack Spirko - EP 1033 05/06/2025

Why Not Take Your Shot? Spring Workshop Recap - EP 1032 05/05/2025

Why Not Take Your Shot? Spring Workshop Recap - EP 1032 Today I’m fired up from the Spring Workshop and a pretty fantastic concert we had yesterday with my choir in Cookeville, tn. We will share the stories, the people, the late-night brainstorms, the amazing food, and yes... the sea sponges. If you’ve never been to one, this episode will be a fun listen and if you have - I hope you enjoy the journey through LFTN25. Featured Event: Wild Foraging Walk with Strong Roots Resources – May 10, strongrootsresources.com Sponsor 1: EMP Shield – Protect your home, car, and gear from lightning strikes and power surges. — Use coupon code LFTN for a $50 discount.  Sponsor 2: Discount Mylar Bags – Long-term food storage doesn’t have to break the bank. Quality mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, and more. Tales from the Prepper Pantry - The prepper pantry is finally usable and mostly organized—still clearing out the last of the Spring Workshop aftermath  - Pulling road food from the freezers: steaks travel well, plus premade chili, soup, scotch eggs, and dried salami  - May is audit month for leftover canned goods  - Planting a much smaller garden this year since we moved it—but still planting  - Also, I GOT BROCCOLI. Weekly Shopping Report I made a trip on Tuesday to Food City for a couple of bags of flour and a 22 lb. bag of Meow Mix (that our cats ask for by name); and Walgreens for the goop I put in my eye at night (“Stye”) so it doesn’t dry out. Only the first Tuesday in the month is Walgreens’ “senior day,” when Grumpy Old Men (and women) get a discount. For our usual trip, the weather gave us a clear stretch amidst the bands of heavy rain on Thursday. Most people must have decided to wait, as there was little traffic. Dollar Tree was first. They’re finally out of the big non-carbonated Monsters I was getting, but there were plenty of other choices. Stock levels throughout the store looked good. Sonia has been able to find some craft items in there lately. We also went to Hobby Lobby for some acrylic paint. We didn’t walk around the whole store looking at other stock, but I didn’t see empty sections or anything else odd. Things may change with the tariffs on Dragon Country, but not yet. They were “normal-busy” with a short wait to check out. The online price of a 2x4x8 stud at Home Depot is still $3.85. Aldi was last. We found everything we wanted. Staple prices were: bread (20 oz. white): $1.39; eggs: $4.97; whole milk: $2.92; heavy cream: $5.29; OJ: $4.09; butter: $3.49 (-); bacon: $3.99; potatoes: $4.39; sugar: $2.99; flour: $2.35; and 80% ground beef: $4.59. Untainted regular gasoline at Weigels is still $3.59/gallon. Operation Independence I had a great conversation with John Pugliano this week that's helping bring clarity to the next big project here at the Holler. I'm still sorting out the details, but it's one of those moments where a few things click into place, and you realize what really needs to happen next. Hint: It starts with some RV spots. Main Topic: Behind the Scenes at the LFTN Spring Workshop Today I want to pull back the curtain on what really makes the Spring Workshop special—not the agenda, not the official sessions, but the stuff that makes it unforgettable.  Glenn’s Rum – He always shows up with something we’ve never tried. This year? It was memorable. Let’s just leave it at that. Carnivore Scotch Duck Eggs – Y’all, the food. This isn’t your standard workshop fare. It’s duck eggs. It’s bacon. It’s food that fuels you for real work. Alan Booker measuring brix – Alan showed me how to measure brix in my plants, gave me a compliment, then called my leaves "aphid food." And you know what? He was right. Patrick Roehrman’s precision strike – My one-of-a-kind MT Knives kitchen knife got used to slice a carpenter bee out of the air. No, really. While it was flying. Emily Zanotti Skyles and the plantain spit war – She left fired up about wild edibles. Her kids? They took that knowledge and turned it into backyard ammo. The greenhouse swim spa debate – We planned to function-stack a greenhouse over the swim spa… and ended up realizing Nicole just needs to bury her electrical lines already. Ian’s moment – On his way home, Ian stopped by his family land and decided: it’s time. That’s the kind of clarity these weekends bring. John Pugliano and Meshtastic – He helped all of us finally understand how Meshtastic works—and why it matters. Leos' pop-up blacksmithing – Did I mention we had a surprise forge session? Because of course we did. Glenn’s hamburgers – Day one. Fire. Flavor. No notes. Gavin and the birds – Gavin wandered through the holler like a nature monk with binoculars, pointing out the birds we miss every day. Jack Spirko's bioreactor breakthrough – Sometimes the right fencing and weed cloth are all it takes to spark a better compost design. Community eggs – Between scotch eggs, scrambles, and three separate egg suppliers, we fed the holler crew with ease—and had leftovers. Late-night wrestling matches – You know who you are. I won’t name names… this time. Pocket door rescues – Multiple saves were made, but one prepper decided to handle it solo. Mad respect. The sea sponges – If you know, you know. And finally—YOU – The participants. Every single person showed up not just to learn, but to help each other figure out their next chapter. So why haven’t you taken your shot? Is it the money? The time? The fear of people? Or do you just think you’re not good enough? If it is that last one, take a good hard look at that because you are. You are good enough. You deserve to build your dream. And you can do it - it may look different when you get there than you thought it would, but you can go further - but it takes hard work, strong community and it takes being a DOER. Make it a great week, GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: Telegram Group: Odysee: Resources /episode/index/show/nicolesauce/id/36444055

Baby Rabbits, Broken Four Wheeler, Brix Report and more: Homestead Happenings - EP 1031 05/02/2025

Building a Life Without Limits With Joel Salatin - EP 1030 04/30/2025

Homestead Happenings for April 20, 2025 - EP 1029 04/20/2025

A Wonderful, Terrible Livestock Experience - EP 1027 04/14/2025

A Wonderful, Terrible Livestock Experience - EP 1027 Last night, my bottle-fed Ewe went into labor. She never got as big as the naturally raised ewes and this ended up being a problem. We will talk about the long night in the pasture, as well as tales from the prepper pantry, a shopping report, operation independence, and more. Featured Event: Exit ad Build Land Summit at Polyface, May 23 & 24: Sponsor 1: Sponsor 2: Tales from the Prepper Pantry Progress Report Preparing From The Pantry High End Cured Meats Wholesale Egg prep for the spring workshop - link to the spring workshop: Weekly Shopping Report from Joe Dollar Tree was first. They’re finally out of the big non-carbonated Monsters I was getting, but there were plenty of other choices. Stock levels throughout the store looked good. Sonia has been able to find some craft items in there lately. We also went to Hobby Lobby for some acrylic paint. We didn’t walk around the whole store looking at other stock, but I didn’t see empty sections or anything else odd. Things may change with the tariffs on Dragon Country, but not yet. They were “normal-busy” with a short wait to check out. The online price of a 2x4x8 stud at Home Depot is still $3.85. Aldi was last. We found everything we wanted. Staple prices were: bread (20 oz. white): $1.39; eggs: $4.97; whole milk: $2.92; heavy cream: $5.29; OJ: $4.09; butter: $3.49 (-); bacon: $3.99; potatoes: $4.39; sugar: $2.99; flour: $2.35; and 80% ground beef: $4.59. Untainted regular gasoline at Weigels is still $3.59/gallon. Operation Independence 2 lambs born, so $800 goes into the independence fund Main topic of the Show: A Wonderful, Horrible Livestock Experience Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: Telegram Group: Odysee: Resources /episode/index/show/nicolesauce/id/36137100

Tuesday Coffee With John Willis, Nicole Sauce and Jack Spirko - EP 1024 04/02/2025

Busting Through Analysis Paralysis - Ep 1022 03/31/2025

Busting Through Analysis Paralysis - Ep 1022 Today we’re talking about busting through analysis paralysis and, of course, all our usual Monday segments. Featured Event Member Webinar – Homeopathy for Urgent and Emergent Situations Don’t miss this week’s member webinar! Learn practical ways to approach health challenges using homeopathy. Details & Sign-Up: Sponsor 1: The Wealthsteading Podcast Insightful discussions on wealth-building and independent living. 🔗 Sponsor 2: AbovePhone Secure, freedom-minded communications. Get $50 off your device with coupon code LiveFreeTN 🔗 Tales from the Prepper Pantry Cooking for people from the pantry Chaos of storing things everywhere – Nicole needs a wife Moving back into the prepper pantry About to unload a bunch of stored grain—we don’t eat grain anymore The “oh shit” story Weekly Shopping Report This one will be short and boring; no major changes (I don’t need a Wahhmbulance for my chocolate price, at least not yet). Dollar Tree was the usual first stop. The drink product mix is shifting, but stock levels remain excellent. The online price of a 2x4x8 stud at Home Depot is still $3.85. Aldi was last. We found everything we wanted, but my preferred chocolate has gone up again to $2.69. Staple prices were: Bread (20 oz. white): $1.39 Eggs: $4.97 (limit 2) Whole milk: $2.84 (-) Heavy cream: $5.29 OJ: $4.09 Butter: $3.75 Bacon: $3.99 Potatoes: $4.39 Sugar: $2.99 Flour: $2.35 80% ground beef: $4.59 Untainted regular gasoline at Weigels is still $3.59/gallon. Frugality Tip No listener tips this week—send yours to [email protected]! Nicole’s Tip: Audit your insurances annually. I’m doing that right now and it’s one of those boring-but-worth-it money wins. Operation Independence Update on the GSD weekend! Huge thanks to Valerie, Lynne, Tracy, Steve, Bryan, Tactical, and Knighthawk—and of course Bob, who we tried to kill. It was a solid weekend of getting things done and building community. Main Topic of the Day: Busting Through Analysis Paralysis I Why We Get Stuck in Analysis Paralysis Fear of making the wrong move or wasting resources Drowning in too much information and too many choices Perfectionism in disguise—waiting until it’s “just right” Pressure from external voices: what you should do versus what you want to do II How to Align Your Efforts for Real Progress Start by documenting where you spend your time Revisit your vision and purpose Know your own wiring—planner, doer, thinker? Identify leverage points that’ll ease other areas III Tips & Tricks to Break Free (My3Things Method + More) Use the My3Things Method—3 high-impact tasks per day Do the worksheet—focus and prioritize Join our communities—get support and ideas Call a friend who can help you think clearly Pay for help if it moves you forward Break things down to minimum viable steps (An American Homestead story) Ask if you’re delaying because you don’t actually want it Try body doubling—just work alongside someone Just do one thing now—progress over perfection Reset your brain—take a walk, listen to music, work out And above all: Commit and don’t look back. Nothing replaces just deciding to move. Sign up for the weekly mail – Stay updated on events, products, and local opportunities. This week’s tip: Peter Hutchings from Terre Power in Sparta, TN reached out with a deal on used solar panels—around $0.15/kWh or less. If you're interested, email him at [email protected] Make it a great week. GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: Telegram Group: Odysee: Resources /episode/index/show/nicolesauce/id/35946720

Homestead Happenings for March 28, 2025 - EP 1022 03/29/2025

Will AI Make Us More Or Less Free? Living Free Podcast EP 1 03/26/2025

More Isn't Better, Better is Better - EP 1020 03/24/2025

More Isn't Better, Better is Better - EP 1020 Today, we talk about the word of the year and more specifically MY word of the year: Enrich. Big lessons so far in 2025 for me. Also, we will cover our usual monday segments: Tales from the prepper pantry, a frugality tip and operation independence. Featured Event: livingfreeintennessee.com/event/lftn-gsd-weekend/ Sponsor 1: , coupon code LFTN Sponsor 2: Tales from the Prepper Pantry Launching a new video short series this week: Can You Do That with Mayonnaise? Freezers go in their permanent spot this week, and one becomes the "workshop food" freezer! This is how I stay organized so we can find everything for the workshop. Taco Soup Idea From Janna Gillard The Salsa Jar Hijink Frugality Tip from Margo Do you frequently cut the sleeves off of T-shirts? I do, because someone I live with only wears sleeves to work. I use the sleeves for rags and plant ties, but the other day I cut a sleeve off and for some reason I was like let me see if this fits on my head....guess what the sleeve of his XXL T-shirt makes a great headband for me. So yet another use for something you would normally throw away. I know I always am looking for a crappy headband when I am going to do a facemask, now I will keep a sleeve or two around. Happy Saving y'all Operation Independence Tomato Seedlings look GREAT - not buying any plants this year. Scored $150 on a left behind part of my car - Purging is also enriching my supplies budget! Mayo thoughts Main Topic of the Day: Word of the Year Update: Enrich A reminder: Choosing a word of the year is about setting an intention to guide your decisions and energy throughout the year. "Enrich" was chosen to focus on sharpening, refining, and deepening—not just doing more, but doing better. Lesson 1: Enrich the People It Serves Lesson 2: Purge What Doesn’t Serve Lesson 3: Slowing My Roll Conclusion The key to enriching our world here at the Holler Homestead is not about how many memberships or Spring Workshop tickets can I sell today and much more about asking two key questions: How is this going to enrich the buyer or participants? How does this enrich my life? Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: Telegram Group: Odysee: Resources /episode/index/show/nicolesauce/id/35843655

Homestead Happenings for March 21, 2025 - EP 1019 03/21/2025

Crap! I Got Arrested. Now What? With Ken Griffith - EP 1018 03/19/2025

The Power Of Starting Strong: Make Your Own Mesophilic Culture - EP 1017 03/17/2025

The Power Of Starting Strong: Make Your Own Mesophilic Culture - EP 1017 Episode 1017: The Power Of Starting Strong: Make Your Own Mesophilic Culture Today, we talk about how to make your own mesophilic culture at home so you can reduce save money and develop your own cheese flavors over time. Really having a strong start in cheese is as important as doing so in life, isn't it? And nurturing your starts in life is as important as hitting things hard ever day. We will also cover our usual Monday segments. Member Webinar: Building Small Scale Events On Your Homestead, Sunday, March 23 at 3pm Central: (Members you know what to do!) Sponsor 1: Sponsor 2: Do me a favor? Drop a review at iTunes and share this podcast out to your friends. LFTN on and Tales From The Prepper Pantry No progress on floor Spring Cleaning - Processing meat: Bacon, scotch eggs, grinding lamb, scotch eggs Tomato seedlings planted and germinated Looking to purge the grains from storage The tunnel Weekly Shopping Report from Joe Dollar Tree was the usual first stop. I noted again that the Health aisle was stuffed. In particular. We didn’t go in, but the price of a 2x4x8 stud at Home Depot still shows $3.85 online. Aldi was next. We found everything we wanted, but there were only a few bars of my preferred chocolate (70% cacao) left. Staple prices were: bread (20 oz. white): $1.39; eggs: $5.97 (limit 2); whole milk: $2.92 (+); heavy cream: $5.29; OJ: $4.09 (+, and very little); butter: $3.75; bacon: $3.99; potatoes: $4.39; sugar: $2.99; flour: $2.35; and 80% ground beef: $4.59. Food City for a 22 lb. Bag of Meow Mix (that our cats ask for by name). Pet foods were well-stocked. Untainted regular gasoline at Weigels is still $3.59/gallon. Frugality Tip From Jordon St. Patrick’s Day is upon us, it’s a fairly big day up in Maine since there is a large Irish population here, so cabbages are on sale for the boiled dinner feast! Tonight we snagged 3 juicy cabbages at the grocery store for 39¢ a lb. Made 3 half gallons of sauerkraut for $5! Hope you have a lucky 🍀 Monday! Jordan Operation Independence - Staining, building a composting outhouse deck, hauling off construction debris, building a new humanure barrel, setting up the classroom, hanging the presentation tv, etc. Main Topic of Today's Show. What is a Mesophilic Culture and Why Should You Care? Mesophilic culture is a bacterial starter used for cheesemaking, cultured dairy, and fermentation. 70-85 for fermentation. Used as the base for feta, cultured cream cheese, chevre, farmer’s cheese, mozzarella, etc. Why: Saves money, adapted to your environment, adds resilience, it’s fun How to Make It Making a Mesophilic Starter Find Culture Prepare the milk Inoculate & Ferment: Store & Maintain: What If I Cant Get Culture or Cultured Buttermilk? Quality Raw Milk Leave at room temperature Smell/taste Treat like a cultured buttermilk starter Thought Of The Walk On Cheese Culture This process is a perfect analogy for life. You get out what you put in—a weak start leads to weak results. Just like a good mesophilic culture ensures better cheese, a good mindset, strong habits, and the right influences ensure better outcomes in life. Sometimes we forget to nurture ourselves and those things that are most important to is, resulting in weak starts – and what do you do with a weak start? Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: Telegram Group: Odysee: Resources /episode/index/show/nicolesauce/id/35732860

Homestead Happenings for March 14, 2025 - EP 1016 03/14/2025

Tuesday Coffee With John Willis, Nicole Sauce and Jack Spirko - EP 1015 03/14/2025

Five Things Homesteaders Get Wrong - EP 1014 03/10/2025

Homestead Happenings for March 7, 2025 - EP 1013 03/08/2025

Bacteria, Yeast, and the Secret Life of Kefir - Ep 1012 03/03/2025

Bacteria, Yeast, and the Secret Life of Kefir - Ep 1012 Join me for a discussion all about kefir, its origins, its benefits, how to make it and HOW TO USE IT!Sponsor 1: Permies.com FUNDLE $45: Sponsor 2: Shout out: Canary Cry Radio! Tales from the Prepper Pantry Bacon Week Slicing Like a Mad Woman Ground Lamb The Carnivore Scotch Egg Test Operation Independence No more TAHOE 1. Why Kefir Matters More than just a probiotic – Kefir is a living ecosystem of bacteria and yeast, offering benefits beyond typical fermented foods. Gut health & digestion – Restores microbiome balance and may help with IBS. Immune system support – Contains natural antibacterial and antifungal compounds. Bone health & longevity – High in calcium, magnesium, and vitamin K2, supporting bone density. Why it beats store-bought probiotic drinks – No added sugars, no preservatives, and a wider range of beneficial microbes. The Mysterious Origins of Kefir No one knows! Ancient legends – Believed to have originated in the Caucasus Mountains, with stories linking it to nomadic herders or religious figures. Some claim kefir grains were a gift from the Prophet Muhammad to Orthodox Christians. Others suggest they evolved naturally in animal skins used for storing milk. Why scientists can’t recreate it – Unlike yogurt cultures, kefir grains cannot be artificially synthesized, making them a true biological mystery. Kefir grains are a complex symbiotic community (SCOBY) that must be propagated from existing grains. Attempts to isolate and recreate them in labs have failed, suggesting a unique co-evolution with traditional dairy farming. 4. The Science Behind Kefir Fermentation Bacteria vs. Yeast – A Perfect Partnership Bacteria (Lactic Acid Bacteria - LAB) – Convert lactose into lactic acid, lowering the pH and thickening the milk. Yeasts – Break down sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide, adding mild effervescence and contributing to flavor complexity. Acetobacter species – Convert ethanol into acetic acid, giving kefir its subtle tang. How fermentation transforms milk Lactose breakdown – Kefir becomes more digestible for lactose-intolerant individuals. Nutrient enhancement – Increases B vitamins, calcium, and K2, making nutrients more bioavailable. Probiotic boost – Contains up to 50+ strains of beneficial bacteria and yeast, making it superior to yogurt in microbial diversity. How to Make Kefir at Home Basic Steps: Add kefir grains to whole milk (raw or pasteurized, but avoid ultra-pasteurized). Cover loosely and let ferment 12-24 hours at room temperature. Strain the grains, store finished kefir in the fridge, and repeat the process. Troubleshooting Common Issues: Too sour? Shorten fermentation time or use cooler temperatures. Too thin? Use higher-fat milk or ferment longer. Off flavors? Check milk quality and ensure grains are healthy. 6. Ways to Use Kefir Beyond Drinking It Culinary Uses: Smoothies & flavored kefir – Blend with fruit, honey, or spices. Salad dressings & dips – Use as a tangy base for ranch or tzatziki. Kefir cheese & butter – Strain whey to make a spreadable cheese. Second Fermentation for More Flavor & Fizz: How to do it – Store strained kefir in an airtight bottle with fruit or honey for another 12-24 hours. Why it works – Yeasts consume remaining sugars, boosting carbonation. Best add-ins: Citrus peel, ginger, berries, vanilla bean. Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: Telegram Group: Odysee: Resources /episode/index/show/nicolesauce/id/35518345

Living Free in Tennessee - Nicole Sauce

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