Simple Farmhouse Life

• 290. Simple Meal Systems & Batch Freezer Cooking in Busy Seasons | Jamerrill Stewart of Large Family Table

  I always love having Jamerrill Stewart on the podcast because she brings so much encouragement and practicality to the table—especially for those of us feeding a lot of people every day. In this episode, we’re talking all about freezer cooking, bulk shopping, and how to make mealtime a little less overwhelming. Jamerrill shares what meal prep looks like in her current season of life, how she keeps food on the table for her big crew, and simple ways anyone can start building more margin into their kitchen routine. In this episode, we cover: Life updates from Jamerrill and how homemaking looks in her current season of single motherhood The story behind how her freezer cooking system began and why it works for families of all sizes Tips for shopping in bulk, planning monthly grocery trips, and staying on budget with a large family How she preps ingredients—like meats and rice—in advance to simplify daily meal routines Her strategy for always doubling recipes and freezing extras for easy meals later Why having a stocked freezer made all the difference during a family medical crisis Creative ways she handles leftovers with a “choose-your-own-adventure” approach to meals The logistics of storing bulk food with multiple fridges and freezers throughout the house Kitchen tools and systems that help her manage daily meals for ten—like her oversized island and dual dishwashers Encouragement to start small with meal prep—even one extra freezer meal can lighten the load View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! ABOUT JAMERRILL Jamerrill Stewart is a seasoned homeschool mom of 9 (7 boys/2girls) with children ages 2 through 22. She shares about big batch cooking, mega canning, freezer meals and more from her slow and steady developing homestead in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Jamerrill has been making a full-time income online while raising her family for over a decade and she’d like to show you how you can, too. Join the Successful Business Momma Course waitlist largefamilytable.com/business which will help you build your dream online business while raising your family, just like Jamerrill has done! RESOURCES Listen to my first two podcast episodes with Jamerrill here and here Shop Jamerrill’s big batch recipe guides here 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 Jamerrill Stewart of Large Family Table | Website | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 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.

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• 289. Expecting Baby #9! Farmhouse Build Delays, Family Rhythms, Sourdough Tips, More Q&A

  In this solo episode, I’m sharing a big family update—we’re expecting baby number nine! I’m also chatting about where we’re at with our custom farmhouse build (hint: it’s going slower than I hoped), how we’re navigating delays, and what I’ve learned through the process. I’m answering your questions on everything from large family rhythms to sourdough baking with freshly milled grains, co-sleeping routines, dairy goats vs. cows, and more. Whether you’re in the thick of little years, planning a future homestead, or just love chatting all things motherhood and homemaking, I think you’ll enjoy this one. In this episode, we cover: Big announcement: we’re expecting baby #9 later this summer! Why we won’t be in the new farmhouse before the baby arrives Unexpected delays and decisions in building from raw land Why I’m learning to appreciate the slower pace of this build The vision behind our forever home (inspired by my parents’ setup) Our Sunday family rhythm: large family gathering, casual food, outdoor country life Switching a sourdough starter to freshly milled flour without a complicated transition Our experience with dairy goats (and why we ultimately stuck with cows for milk) My must-have babywearing favorites for every stage—from newborn snuggles to toddler back carries How I navigate my evening routine with a co-sleeping baby (and what changes around 6 months) Late-night snacks I love—nourishing ideas that feel indulgent but skip the junk Thoughts on prenatals vs. whole food nutrition during pregnancy—and how I approach supplements Tips for getting soft, well-risen sourdough bread with freshly milled flour Troubleshooting sandwich bread made with whole grains: rising issues, sour flavor, and more Sourdough baking without an oven? My go-to stovetop recipes for bread-like alternatives How we’re managing indoor pets with a big family and young children Reflections on motherhood through different seasons—how the hardest years eventually feel softer Designing a new farmhouse: blending modern function with vintage character (and why I’m saying yes to closets!) 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 my friend Ashley’s slow and intentional home build I share more details about my current pregnancy in this recent announcement video Take a look at the recent design refresh to my parents’ home Check out the Q&A episode I recorded with my sisters Laura & Andrea Listen to this podcast episode with Anja all about sourdough and freshly-milled grains 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.

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• 288. Reverse Meal Planning, Stock-Up Staples & Grocery Hacks for Real Life | Christine of Frugal Fit Mom

  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.

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• 287. Save Hundreds on Groceries and Reduce Food Waste: Produce Storage Tips | Amy of The Cross Legacy

  In today’s episode, I’m welcoming back Amy Cross from The Cross Legacy to dive into a topic that’s more important than ever: saving money on groceries and keeping produce fresh for longer. Amy shares her tried-and-true methods for making fresh food last weeks (even months!), simple strategies for reducing food waste, and how she’s kept her grocery budget the same despite rising prices. We’re talking practical tips you can apply whether you’re feeding a large family, preparing for garden harvests, or just trying to make your grocery trips stretch a little farther. I learned so much in this conversation — I know you will too! In this episode, you’ll hear: How to wash and store berries, grapes, and fresh herbs to make them last for weeks The right way (and wrong way) to use vinegar, glass jars, and paper towels to extend produce life Which foods need metal lids versus plastic lids for best storage Tips for organizing your fridge to save space and prevent food waste How to pair "produce buddies" like lemons and avocados for longer freshness Why some fruits and veggies spoil each other (and how to store them separately) How Amy keeps her grocery budget at $135 per person per month Smart grocery shopping habits: focusing on versatile, multi-use ingredientsHow batch cooking and strategic freezer storage simplify busy weeks Creative ideas for using up leftovers and cutting down on food waste How Amy is preparing for a move while keeping her food systems running smoothly Why food security and long-term storage matter — and how to build it gradually View full show notes on the blog + watch on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! ABOUT AMY Amy is an urban homesteader who teaches her audiences how to care for their produce and reduce food waste.  As the Founder and CEO of The Cross Legacy, she has made it her mission to share her food hacks through social media. Her content has been featured in publications around the world and her viral Strawberries in a Jar hack has been shared over 18 million times.  Amy helps families and communities save money on groceries - most notably by eating what they buy. The average American household throws away 30 to 40% of the food they purchase. To help combat this issue, she wrote a bestselling book, The Zero Waste Produce Guide  which outlines her directions for how to wash and store produce items so that they will last for weeks. At a time when our food costs are the highest, it is so imperative that food waste statistics trend downward. This starts in the family home. An accomplished speaker, author, and influencer, the information Amy shares helps families save money, reduce food waste, and be able to afford fresh produce.  RESOURCES Buy Amy’s new book Zero Waste Produce Guide (Code: FARMHOUSE15 for 15% off) Listen to Amy’s Tedx Talk Amy’s first appearance on my podcast 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 Amy Cross of The Cross Legacy | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Pinterest | TikTok  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.

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• 286. Q&A: My Approach to Date Nights, Clutter, Sourdough & Large Family Life + More Home Build Decisions

  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.

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