Pioneering Today Podcast - Homesteading in a Modern World

If you've ever had a jar not seal, a ferment go questionable, or food spoil before you could use it, this episode is for you.
Food preservation can feel overwhelming, especially with so much conflicting advice out there. In this episode, I'm walking you through the most common mistakes I see with canning, fermenting, dehydrating, and food storage and how to fix them so you can preserve food safely and confidently.
We'll talk about:
The truth about botulism and food safety

Why tested recipes matter

What causes jars to not seal or lose their seal

How to tell the difference between mold and kahm yeast

Simple ways to prevent spoilage when dehydrating and storing food

The goal is not perfection. It's confidence. And once you understand what's actually happening, you'll be able to troubleshoot and preserve food with peace of mind.
For more information and any links mentioned, visit the blog post here: https://melissaknorris.com/506
📌 Don't forget: I'm hosting a FREE 5-Day Seasonal Food Preservation Workshop (April 20–24) where I'll walk you step-by-step through building your own customized plan.
👉 Sign up here: https://melissaknorris.com/five

Have you ever bought canning supplies with the best intentions… only to let them sit unused? Or watched beautiful, homegrown food go to waste because you didn't have the time or plan to preserve it?
In this episode, I'm sharing the real reason most people struggle with food preservation—and it's probably not what you think.
It's not a lack of motivation.
It's not a lack of skill.
It's a systems problem.
Today, I'm walking you through the mindset shift that will change everything when it comes to preserving food for your family. We'll talk about:
Why reactive preserving leads to overwhelm and failure

The "August ambush" and how to avoid it

How to shift from a grocery store mindset to seasonal living

The simple 3-question system to build a sustainable food preservation plan

How to finally stock your pantry with confidence (without burnout)

If you've ever felt behind, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, this episode will help you move forward with clarity and purpose.
📌 Don't forget: I'm hosting a FREE 5-Day Seasonal Food Preservation Workshop (April 20–24) where I'll walk you step-by-step through building your own customized plan.
👉 Sign up here: https://melissaknorris.com/five
For more information and any links mentioned, visit the blog post here: https://melissaknorris.com/505

How did one family eat real, homemade food on just $100 a month?
In this special episode of the Pioneering Today Podcast, I'm joined by my mom as she shares what it was really like feeding our family on a tight grocery budget in the 1980s, plus the simple, from-scratch habits that made it possible.
From cooking everything at home to shopping sales strategically, building a pantry over time, and wasting nothing, these are the exact principles that shaped how I run my kitchen today.
If you're feeling the pressure of rising grocery prices, this episode will show you how to stretch your food budget without sacrificing nutrition or flavor.
In this episode, we cover:
How we lived on about $20-25/week for groceries
The pantry staples that made from-scratch cooking possible
Why convenience foods cost more (in more ways than one)
How to shop sales and stock up the right way
Simple meals we ate growing up (and still love today)
The mindset shift that makes frugal living sustainable
These are timeless, practical strategies you can start using right away in your own kitchen.
👉 Read the accompanying blog post here: https://melissaknorris.com/podcast/how-my-mom-fed-our-family-on-100-a-month/

Spring is a tricky in-between season when it comes to meal planning. You're craving fresh foods, but the garden isn't quite ready yet—and your pantry is still full of winter staples.
In this episode, I'm sharing simple, practical tips for spring meal planning so you can use what you already have, incorporate early seasonal ingredients, and make getting dinner on the table easier.
We'll talk about:
Cooking with pantry staples and preserved foods

Easy ways to use up extra eggs

Simple meal rotations to reduce decision fatigue

How to transition from winter to spring meals with ease

If you've been feeling stuck in a dinner rut, this episode will help you simplify your cooking and enjoy the shift into a new season.
For more information and any links mentioned, visit the blog post here: https://melissaknorris.com/503
Links Mentioned:
- Plated By Season (Spring Edition starts shipping in April - grab your subscription now to be sure you get your Spring copy!): https://melissaknorris.com/plated
- Creamy Delicata Squash Soup recipe: https://melissaknorris.com/creamy-delicata-squash-soup/
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus: https://melissaknorris.com/bacon-wrapped-asparagus-easy-appetizer-or-side-dish/
- Carrot Cookie recipe: https://melissaknorris.com/vintage-recipe-carrot-cookies/ 
Thanks to Azure Standard for sponsoring this podcast. For first-time customers, you can use code "MELISSA15" and get 15% off your first order of $100 or more: https://melissaknorris.com/azure-standard/

Are you eating healthy, exercising, and still struggling to lose weight?
For many women—especially in their late 30s and 40s—the issue may not be calories at all. It may be insulin resistance and blood sugar imbalance.
In today's episode, I'm talking with Ruth Soukup about the hidden blood sugar loop that keeps so many women stuck with fatigue, cravings, and stubborn weight gain.
Ruth shares how she lost nearly 50 pounds by focusing on metabolic health instead of traditional dieting, and we talk through practical steps you can begin using today to stabilize blood sugar and support hormone balance naturally.
If you've felt frustrated with diet advice that no longer works, this conversation may be exactly what you need to hear. 
What You'll Learn:
What insulin resistance is and why it's so common today 
Why dieting harder often backfires 
How blood sugar imbalance affects hormones and metabolism 
Foods that help stabilize blood sugar 
Why walking after meals can help regulate glucose 
How small daily habits can restore metabolic flexibility 
For more information, be sure to check out the blog post here: https://melissaknorris.com/502
Resources Mentioned:
The Whole Health Reset: https://melissaknorris.com/the-whole-health-reset
Thin Adapted System with Ruth: https://thinlicious.com/program
10 Day Sugar Detox with Ruth: https://www.getthinlicious.com/detox
If you found this helpful, be sure to subscribe for more conversations on traditional living, health, homesteading, and from-scratch skills.