Living Free in Tennessee - Nicole Sauce

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: The LFTN GSD Weekend is Upon Us! livingfreeintennessee.com/event/lftn-gsd-weekend/ Sponsor 1: EMPShield.com, coupon code LFTN Sponsor 2: AgoristTaxAdvice.com/LFTN 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 $150 on a left behind part of my car - Purging is also enriching my supplies budget! Mayo thoughts Main Topic of the Day: Word of the Year Update: Enrich A reminder: Choosing a word of the year is about setting an intention to guide your decisions and energy throughout the year. "Enrich" was chosen to focus on sharpening, refining, and deepening—not just doing more, but doing better. Lesson 1: Enrich the People It Serves Lesson 2: Purge What Doesn’t Serve Lesson 3: Slowing My Roll Conclusion The key to enriching our world here at the Holler Homestead is not about how many memberships or Spring Workshop tickets can I sell today and much more about asking two key questions: How is this going to enrich the buyer or participants?  How does this enrich my life? Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.  Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link  

  First day of spring and it is 26 degrees out there. Find out how the plants weathers this latest yucky frost, progress on the prepper pantry, a garden update, and more today on our weekly homestead update show. Featured Event: Solstice Gathering at Haven Earth Trade School in Old Fort, tn (nearish Chattanooga). Use the contact form on the website to RSVP and get additional information. Sponsor 1: AbovePhone.com: https://abovephone.com/?above=104 Use coupon code for $50 off: LiveFreeTN Sponsor 2: EMPShield.com Fallen Ewe, Hoof Trimming and Selenium The Great Vehicle Scam of 2025 Frosty First Day of Spring Flood Damage Report Garden Bed 3 is up - stupid dog Duck egg production update with supplementation - it was pretty instant Prepper Pantry Update Holler Comms in the storm The Round Roast that became Rouladen What happens to a spring with 6-8 inches of rain in 1 day and what we did about it Erosion Remediation Projects Update Post Flood Tomato seedlings are up and looking good Gifting 6 chards to a friend this week and hopefully planting the last 8 in bed 4 Lighting and the fence charger - community Watercress patch is not coming back yet which is slower than usual Tempting to dig up the old garden and seed with gourds and runner beans Holler Game Night tonight Make it a great week!   GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift!   Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link  

  Today I am joined by Ken Griffith of R-3 Contingencies to discuss what to do if you get arrested, especially if it is for something you did not do. Featured Event: SelfRelianceFestival.com Sponsor 1: HollerRoast.com Sponsor 2: InvestableWealth.com Show Resources R3-Kon.com/lftn (Get concierge services that are the BEST!) Main content of the show Make it a great week GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.  Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link  

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: https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/courses/creating-small-scale-events-on-your-homestead (Members you know what to do!) Sponsor 1: AgoristTaxAdvice.com/LFTN Sponsor 2: DiscountMylarBags.com Do me a favor? Drop a review at iTunes and share this podcast out to your friends. LFTN on Facebook and Telegram 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 $5! Hope you have a lucky 🍀 Monday! Jordan  Operation Independence GSD Weekend March 29 & 30 in the Holler - Staining, building a composting outhouse deck, hauling off construction debris, building a new humanure barrel, setting up the classroom, hanging the presentation tv, etc. Main Topic of Today's Show. What is a Mesophilic Culture and Why Should You Care? Mesophilic culture is a bacterial starter used for cheesemaking, cultured dairy, and fermentation. 70-85 for fermentation. Used as the base for feta, cultured cream cheese, chevre, farmer’s cheese, mozzarella, etc. Why: Saves money, adapted to your environment, adds resilience, it’s fun How to Make It Making a Mesophilic Starter Find Culture Prepare the milk Inoculate & Ferment: Store & Maintain: What If I Cant Get Culture or Cultured Buttermilk? Quality Raw Milk Leave at room temperature Smell/taste Treat like a cultured buttermilk starter Thought Of The Walk On Cheese Culture This process is a perfect analogy for life. You get out what you put in—a weak start leads to weak results. Just like a good mesophilic culture ensures better cheese, a good mindset, strong habits, and the right influences ensure better outcomes in life. Sometimes we forget to nurture ourselves and those things that are most important to is, resulting in weak starts – and what do you do with a weak start?   Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.  Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link  

Today, I am joined by the Tactical Redneck as we discuss illness in the Holler, early spring sprinting, and more. Featured Event: SelfRelianceFestival.com Sponsor 1: AgoristTaxAdvice.com/lftn Sponsor 2: InvestableWealth.com Stinging Nettle Harvest Week Morels should begin to pop soon Early spring green salad: baby plantain, dead nettle leaves, baby dock, wild garlic (I like to add to a salad) Illness in the Holler Second garden bed is up and planted Food forest lower swale is 25% mulched, then I will toss lots of seeds out 4 Wheeler Subaru Saga Ram Weaning Stormy and preventing a prolapse Breed rabbits this week Livestock Duck egg update Yard herbs are coming back - the ones that made it through the winter All the compost tea is being sprayed Time to make garlic/pepper/LABS spray for the orchard Holler Neighbor Dinner on Sunday Finances: Upped my seedling game so have only spent $60 on gardens   Make it a great week!   GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift!   Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link

Join me for a group discussion with John Willis of Special Operations Equipment and Jack Spirko of The Survival Podcast. Featured Event: The Self Reliance Festival, SelfRelianceFestival.com Sponsors: The Self Reliance Festival: SelfRelianceFestival.com https://selfreliancefestival.com/ Tickets: https://selfreliancefestival.com/tickets/   Holler Roast Coffee Show Resources Special Operations Equipment TheSurvivalPodcast.com Living Free in Tennessee NicoleSauce.com HollerRoast.com  Main content of the show Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.  Community FreeSteading Group: https://freesteading.com/groups/living-free-in-tennessee/ Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Twitter: @nicolesauce IG: @nicolesauce Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LivingFreeInTN  Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link  

Today, we explore five things homesteaders get wrong—and how to avoid them. Every homestead decision is a preference, but some choices lead to costly, time-consuming headaches. Resources Crunchy Mama Beef Processing Class (March 21-24 in Texas) – Crunchy Mama Farms Sponsors: DiscountMylarBags.com  EMPShield.com (Coupon Code LFTN for $50 off) LFTN Spring Workshop National Center For Home Food Preservation Weekly Segments: Tales from the Prepper Pantry – Freezers, Scotch eggs, and pantry upgrades Frugality Tip – How to save $3,000+ on international travel Shopping Report from Joe – Prices on food, lumber, and gas Operation Independence – Expanding aquaponics and biochar progress Main Topic: 5 Things Homesteaders Just Get Wrong 1. Keeping weak animals with genetic problems such as throwing prolapses in sheep, scissor beak, etc 2. Using That Untested Recipe For Canning From Your Grandma, Rebel Canners, Or A Random AI Generated Blog Post 3. You Got Chickens (Or Other Livestock) And Did Not Have Infrastructure (Housing, Water, Fencing, Etc.) 4. Why Did You Grow Food You Hate? 5. You Cultivated Plants Not Soil Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.    Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link  

Today, I am joined by Tactical as we discuss a semi-crazy, off-site week, the coming spring, and more. Featured Event: SUNDAY - Bioremediation Workday in Marshall, NC: https://www.facebook.com/events/1157636552497302  Shout out: Canary Cry Radio! https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=XK4bqtxb1PA  Sponsor 1: TheWealthsteadingPodcast.com Sponsor 2: DiscountMylarBags.com Roof issues and the wind The mama ewe left the pasture Duck feed/Egg issue. Protein content is lower so adding sprouts sunflower seeds, take 2 1st round seedlings placed in raised bed Finishing last 2 raised beds AP update LFTN Email Updates Fencing repairs  Pasture easter egg hunt after the storm Last round of seeding happening this weekend Indoor AP is up and running New 4 wheeler rebuild progress report Prepper Pantry Next Phase So Much Bacon Scotch Egg Experiment update Lettuce from the vet Assessing what is alive after the most brutal winter ive seen in the holler Holler Neighbors/Community Update Finances: Making sure we can source chickens before we announce the processing class Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift! Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link    

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: https://permies.com/wiki/223017f495/Fundle-fungi-bundle Sponsor 2: AgoristTaxAdvice.com Shout out: Canary Cry Radio! https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=XK4bqtxb1PA  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, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.  Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link  

  Tactical Redneck Hijacked my show while I was out of town - Enjoy his update. Sponsor 1: AgoristTaxAdvice.com Sponsor 2: DiscountMylarBags.com Join me for sad news from the pasture, making progress in spring, a review of a cool event happening in about a week, a NEW recipe, and more!   Featured Event: Refuge Ruckus, March 7-9 in Fort Smith, AR: https://www.refugeruckus.com/   Sponsor 1: AgoristTaxAdvice.com Sponsor 2: DiscountMylarBags.com Permies Fundle - and why it is so cool, but dont buy it until Saturday: Heads up on the Permies Fundle Listener Feedback From a listener -  I remembered that you decided to sell your AGHs, and I'm in a similar (but bigger) situation, and hoped you might be able to offer some suggestions or possibly send my way  anyone you know who's in the market, and feel free to share my email for contact. I'm local (Cookeville) and the pigs are in the Monterey/Muddy Pond area. Hope everything's going well in the Holler, and hope to hear back from you soon.  Sad News From The Pasture Ram separation day - with help from a visitor Community: Dog care Weather was fantastic this week: Nicole at a big, thorny frog New inhabitant at basecamp Community development idea Scotch egg recipe Biochar project update Topping the garden beds Stuck trailer day Shepherd’s pie Outhouse spring set up Ducks laying in the yard Livestock Early spring garden planting is going well this year so far Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift! Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link