Helping you live the live you life you choose on your terms. Living Free in Tennessee chronicles how we build our homestead, develop independence, plan and manage time and grow and preserve food sustainably - from a woman's point of view.
Listeners of Living Free in Tennessee - Nicole Sauce that love the show mention: homesteading, thanks nicole, homesteader, nicole's, chickens, goats, gardening, built, practical advice, coffee, actionable, community, found this podcast, lots, living, variety, information, thoughtful, keep up the great work, long.
The Living Free in Tennessee - Nicole Sauce podcast is a gem that covers a wide range of topics from homesteading to personal growth. Nicole's thoughtful and engaging approach makes this podcast a daily must-listen. Whether it's her stories about building an intentional community in Tennessee or her inspiring projects on the homestead, Nicole brings a refreshing perspective to the table. Unlike other homesteading podcasts that often cater to specific ideologies, she focuses on building a good life and creating practical solutions. This podcast is not only informative but also encourages action and provides actionable ways to become more free in our daily lives.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is Nicole's ability to gather a community of doers, not just talkers. The interactive nature of the podcast extends beyond the episodes, with listeners easily able to connect on social media. It's refreshing to see a focus on real-life application rather than just theory. Additionally, Nicole's content is practical and brilliant, providing valuable insights and inspiration for creating a life of contentment.
As for the worst aspects of this podcast, some may find it overwhelming due to its increased frequency of three episodes per week. While it's great for those who can keep up, others may struggle to stay updated with so much content. However, this can be seen as subjective and depends on personal preferences.
In conclusion, The Living Free in Tennessee - Nicole Sauce podcast is an excellent resource for anyone seeking knowledge on homesteading, personal growth, and living a more independent lifestyle. From its informative content and actionable advice to its engaged community of listeners, this podcast offers something for everyone interested in building a good life. Don't miss out on this refreshing and inspiring show!
Join me for a group discussion with John Willis of Special Operations Equipment and Jack Spirko of The Survival Podcast. Featured Event: Tomato Wall Open House June 8: https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/event/june-8-homestead-open-house-tomato-wall-build-at-the-holler/ Sponsors:x Above Phone, Coupon code livefreetn, https://abovephone.com/?above=104 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, 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: DiscountMylarBags.com Sponsor 2: The Wealthsteading Podcast, InvestableWealth.com 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, 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 to discuss updates from the Holler Homestead: Wild edible harvests, the Homesteader Grocery Store, water austerity measures and so much more. Featured Event: June 8, 2025, 1pm-4pm - Tomato Wall Hydro Build. RSVP LivingFreeinTennessee.com Sponsor 1: TheWealthsteadingPodcast.com Sponsor 2: AgoristTaxAdvice.com Water austerity measures Sea showers vs dishes... all the showers Free wood chips for cleanup work Homesteader grocery store conversations Black raspberries ripe Clover gets stuck in the fence Tomato demo Rabbit day Bed 4 is ready to plant Rain all the time and spring/summer 2010 Trellis? Preparing the Toyota Cabin hydro re-set up Holler Neighbor Dinners, KH Family in Town Char chat Kerry's event Fire ant battle What were you chipping away at last night? Basecamp spring Edible harvest: lemon balm, chamomile, red Clover, yarrow, comfrey, chocolate mint, last rose harvest 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/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link
Today I am joined by TJ, AKA Bear Independent, on how he found and followed the path toward light and freedom. This is a deep discussion about falling, faith and freedom. Connect with Bear! https://www.bearindependent.com/ Show Sponsors: HollerRoast.com Above Phone, Coupon code livefreetn, https://abovephone.com/?above=104 Make it a great week GUYS! Don't forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/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
Today we explore the impact of purpose and passion on the homestead as well as our usual homesteady updates. Featured Event: Strong Roots Resources Farm Meetup, June 1, 12pm-4pm. StrongRootsResources.com Sponsor 1: EMPShield.com, Coupon Code LFTN Sponsor 2: The Wealthsteading Podcast (Investablwealth.com) Purpose Discussion Passion - what do you love to do on the homestead? (Enjoy the process, not the destination) Duck Egg Hiding Game Time to breed more rabbits Baby rabbits are getting out of the nesting boxes How we feed dogs with rabbits and what that means for processing Rabbit recipe Succession planting and how you know it is time Tomato Trade story Sheep escaping Grass/ not keeping up Bed four in the garden is almost ready Laying Out Bed 5 and 6 Garlic scapes 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/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link
Today, I am joined by Chris and Tina Clark, fellow homesteaders in Tennessee who discovered a great resource on their land and are turning it into a way to create prosperity for themselves, their community and their customers. Connect with Chris and Tina: https://3dbev.com/ Show Sponsors: HollerRoast.com Above Phone, Coupon code livefreetn, https://abovephone.com/?above=104 Make it a great week GUYS! Don't forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/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
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: https://courses.livefree.academy/land-summit-5-polyface-farms Sponsor 1: AgoristTaxAdvice.com/LFTNSponsor 2: DiscountMylarBags.com 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: https://www.amazon.com/Laws-Life-Ditch-System-Design/dp/B0F54NNNTP/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 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, 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
We just got back from an overnight hike which really brought us some perspective. Featured Event: Exit and Build Land Summit (ExitndBuildLandSummit.com) Sponsor 1: AgoristTaxAdvice.com Sponsor 2: The Wealthsteading Podcast (Investableealth.com) 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/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link
Today, I am joined by Em Roehrman to talk about how their family is building resilience and freedom through, well, building it together. we all know about MTKnives, but have you ever tried their luscious handmade soap? Featured event: E&B Land Summit Sponsor 1: HollerRoast.com Sponsor 2: Above Phone, Coupon code livefreetn, https://abovephone.com/?above=104 Connect with the Roehrmans! mtknives.net https://www.instagram.com/roehrtribe/ https://www.instagram.com/mtknivesnet/ https://www.facebook.com/Roehrtribe/ https://www.facebook.com/mtknivesnet/ Make it a great week GUYS! Don't forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/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
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: DiscountMylarBags.com Sponsor 2: Jack Spirko, The Survival Podcast, Laws of Life Launch Feedback to: nicole@livingfreeintennessee.com 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 $1. Operation Independence Gutter Magic Filter or Firehose Set: Bear's presentation on layers of community and the question (I'm weird) Dating these days 5 elements of building community Create Contribute Connect Clarity Compassion Purpose of dating Partnership or hookup - which person are you? Courting Filter or Firehose? Why not both? (The honesty issue) The weird factor Learn Social Cues - but be willing to directly communicate You are the story you tell yourself Eyore Syndrome Doers, neutral, takers Journey versus destination Digital impact on relationship and community development, in-person communication Sussing out shared values, priorities, long term vision Filter or firehose? Why not both? Make it a great week! GUYS! Don't forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link
I was hijacked by a Redneck! Tactical is HOME ALONE and experiencing lots of mid spring things on the homestead from the latest forage, to escaping sheep. Featured Event: Midwest Preparedness Project Spring Event with Joel Salatin, Bear, and more. https://www.midwestpreparednessproject.com/ Sponsor 1: TheWealthsteading Podcast: InvestableWealth.com Sponsor 2: AgoristTaxAdvice.com 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/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link
Join me for a group discussion with John Willis of Special Operations Equipment and Jack Spirko of The Survival Podcast. Featured Event: Midwest Preparedness Festival: https://www.midwestpreparednessproject.com/ Sponsors:x The Self Reliance Festival: SelfRelianceFestival.com https://selfreliancefestival.com/ Tickets: https://selfreliancefestival.com/tickets/ Holler Roast Coffee Show Resources Special Operations Equipment TheSurvivalPodcast.com Living Free in Tennessee NicoleSauce.com HollerRoast.com Main content of the show Make it a great week! GUYS! Don't forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community FreeSteading Group: https://freesteading.com/groups/living-free-in-tennessee/ Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/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 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. empshield.com — 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. discountmylarbags.com 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, 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 for an update from the Holler Homestead at 12:30PM CT. Spring is springing here and we just had the LFTN Spring Workshop which was a resounding success! I also got tested for my vegetable quality and have some work to do on that. Featured Event: Midwest Preparedness Project Spring Event with Joel Salatin, Bear, and more. https://www.midwestpreparednessproject.com/ Sponsor 1: TheWealthsteading Podcast: InvestableWealth.com Sponsor 2: AgoristTaxAdvice.com Isolation Fencing on new pasture Yarrow is up Baby rabbits 4 wheeler broke Plant brix Wood chip mecca Red clover Poison Hemlock Rose petal Stormy's swelling back down Hoof trimming in the future and youtibe vs reality Voice problem Rams on second rotation Herr Egyptian walking onion Broccoli success Restart the sunflower system in the carport 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 The Lunatic Farmer, Joel Salatin, as we discuss his freedom journey, food freedom and developing generational farms and homesteads. Featured Event: The Exit And Build Land Summit, May 22-23 at Polyface Farm Sponsor 1: AbovePhone.com: https://abovephone.com/?above=104 Use coupon code for $50 off: LiveFreeTN Sponsor 2: Holler Roast Coffee: https://hollerroast.com/ Make it a great week GUYS! Don't forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up
Today, I am joined by the Tactical Redneck to talk about lamb births, getting ready for the Spring Workshop and more. LFTN Spring Workshop - 1 open ticket - deposit paid: https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/product/2025-lftn-spring-workshop/ Sponsor 1: TheWealthSteadingPodcast - InvestableWealth.com Sponsor 2: EMPShield.com, Coupon Code LFTN Grafting the baby to its Mom Update on the pulled baby Infection? Rabbits due next week Workshop Set Up Transplanting tomatoes Assessing dead plants Morrels Wild Mustard Watercress Update Yarrow Ducks are in jail All the people are stopping by to help us get set up this weekend, despite Easter being in the offing Wood boring bees 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
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: https://courses.livefree.academy/land-summit-5-polyface-farms Sponsor 1: AgoristTaxAdvice.com/LFTN Sponsor 2: DiscountMylarBags.com 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: https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/spring-workshop-2025/ 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 $800 goes into the independence fund Main topic of the Show: A Wonderful, Horrible Livestock Experience Make it a great week! GUYS! Don't forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link
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/$/invite/@livingfree:b Twitter: @nicolesauce IG: @nicolesauce Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LivingFreeInTN Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link
Today we're talking about busting through analysis paralysis and, of course, all our usual Monday segments. Featured Event Member Webinar – Homeopathy for Urgent and Emergent Situations Don't miss this week's member webinar! Learn practical ways to approach health challenges using homeopathy. Details & Sign-Up: https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/event/homeopathy-for-urgent-and-emergent-situations/ Sponsor 1: The Wealthsteading Podcast Insightful discussions on wealth-building and independent living.
Today, I am joined by the Tactical Redneck to talk about spring, stupid funny things we cannot remember, new spring wild edibles and more! Featured event: SelfRelianceFestival.com Sponsor 1: InvestableWealth.com Sponsor 2: DiscountMylarBags.com Fiberglass fencing posts Still need to move rams GSD Weekend coming up - with spicy weather Prepper Pantry update Wild Mustard flower is here The dumpster story 4 wheeler useable - bent frame Honda 300, 1995 Meat pizza Update on sprouted sunflowers Stupid funny things we cant remember! Feta cheese made for the workshop and thoughts on working in a homesteader's kitchen Garden feels really small this year Subaru passed her maiden voyage to SOE Stormy's harness No morels found yet but they are starting to pop in nearby counties Basecamp deck Duck egg hunt in the pond I want a roadside stand! Make it a great week! GUYS! Don't forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift! Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/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
Syndicated from The Living Free Podcast, a project of Nicole Sauce. Today, we begin to explore a bigger picture question about AI: Will it make us more or less free? Featured Event: Member Webinar on Homeopathy Sponsor 1: HollerRoast.com Sponsor 2: AbovePhone.com, Coupon code LivefreeTN Will AI Make Us More Or Less Free? First, how do we define freedom? The counter tension is those who wish to control and build power bases. So this question is a pretty big question: Will AI make us more or less free? AI's Inherent Bias AI as a Search Engine Replacement Technocracy vs. Liberty AI as a Creation Tool vs. Scam Weapon Recommended Steps to Stay Free USE AI but with a critical Learn to protect your privacy, Use tools like Above Phone Be wary of too-good-to-be-true offers—even from people you know Set up a family/friend safe word Don't blindly trust outputs—verify and think - especially the smaller details Avoid emotional or functional dependency Stay capable without the tool; don't let it run your life AI can help you build the life you want—or quietly undermine it - and if we just ignore it, it will move toward the status quo: empowering the oligarchs not the individual. Freedom means staying awake and staying critical without burying your head in the sand. 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, 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
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
Join me for a discussion of how the heavy rains created minor flooding in the barn one day before we needed to give the sheep access and what we did to dry it out. We will also cover all our usual Monday Segments. Featured Event: Blueberry Hill Sunday Meetup in Knoxville: https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/event/bluebird-hill-open-house-gathering/ Sponsor 1: TheWealthSteadingPodcast.com Sponsor 2: EMPShield.com Coupon Code: LFTN Tales from the Prepper Pantry Processing 2 Ewes with Prolapses, lots of ground meat Homemade Roast Beef Sandwich Meat Prepper Pantry Update Frugality Tip From Margo Stopping in the middle of a project when you run out of something and having to go get more can be annoying. What's more annoying to me is wasting time to go save a dollar or two. While I am probably one of the most frugal people I know with money, I value my time a lot as well. So save some time and run to the closest store and spend an extra $2 and finish the task. Happy Savings y'all ~Margo Operation Independence $10 Ultrasound Seedlings Main topic of the Show: Small Changes, Big Results - Tales From A Barn Underwater Biggest local flood since 2010 Back Story What We found How we divided work What T did End Result In the end, a small change every day makes the biggest difference in your world. Just ask Angry Prepper about walking for 15 minutes after each meal. Make it a great week! GUYS! Don't forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link
Today, Joshua Hale shares his journey from a programmed life in the matrix to moving to a homestead, then building value by tapping into the opportunities surrounding AI. Sponsor 1: HollerRoast.com Sponsor 2: AbovePhone.com: https://abovephone.com/?above=104 Use coupon code for $50 off: LiveFreeTN Show Resources >>Use coupon code Sauce for 15% off Joshua's courses Website: https://joshuahale.io Social Media and Free Stuff: https://linktr.ee/joshuahaleio Main content of the show Make it a great week GUYS! Don't forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/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
Tactical Redneck Hijacked my show while I was out of town - Enjoy his update. Sponsor 1: AgoristTaxAdvice.com Sponsor 2: DiscountMylarBagsd.com Home Alone Update from tactical 1) Frozen pipes 2) Keeping 2 fires going 3) The stuck truck 4) Impressions of premade meals 5) Keeping up with bacon curing Seed Roullette Update - it dropped to 8 so Nicole seeded the peas and will check in on the radishes when she gets home. Garden bed is covered Incoming nomad hands this coming week so we will focus on the garden spaces. Sheep dont care that it is cold Bottl;e Baby update Rabbits can get it done through the cage mesh 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 is an interview show with Sue Zoldak from The Zoldak Agency all about creating your life to be the way you want it to be. Featured Event: SelfRelianceFestival.com Sponsor 1: HollerRoast.com Sponsor 2: AbovePhone.com: https://abovephone.com/?above=104 Use coupon code for $50 off: LiveFreeTN Show Resources https://www.suezoldak.com/ https://www.thezoldakagency.com/ https://www.zoldakvictory.com/ https://www.zoldakresearch.com/ https://www.wolframlabs.io/ Main content of the show Make it a great week GUYS! Don't forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/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
Today I had a surprise visit from Dawn Gorham, here to pick up her half lamb, so we decided to replace the Monday show with a fin interview show. Spponsors: InvestableWealth.com EMPShield.com - Coupon Code: LFTN More notes detail coming soon!
Join me for our weekly homestead update solo this week because Tactical is picking up feed from BooneTop Farm in Centerville! Featured Event: Seed Exchange and Potluck Saturday 12-3pm Sponsor 1: DiscountMylarBags.com Sponsor 2: The Wealthsteading Podcast Listener Feedback I've been telling my wife about you swim spa. We think it might be a good thing for her to get. She has a couple of questions: “Having been used to lap pool swimming, in 25-yard pools, is it difficult to get used to a swim spa?” “How do you track distance?” (I'm used to counting laps to know how far I've gone) Boone Top Farm Feed Source Bracing for another single digit time Duck Egg Feed Update - tucker milling Tiny house community concept Seed Roulette Next Week Seedling update Prepper pantry Just In Time Stinging Nettle, chickweed and deadnettle Operation Email Zero More rabbit breeding Better rabbit rotation needed Eversoles Departing Tomatoes are finally all canned 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
How does entrepreneurship empower free living - or does it? Today, I am joined by Isaac Morehouse to discuss his journey from founding Praxis, through taking on a project that was NOT his passion (but not NOT his passion) and landing in Florida. He openly shares his struggles and successes. Featured Event: Cast Iron Webinar, Feb 23 at 6pm Sponsor 1: https://abovephone.com/?above=104 COUPON CODE FOR $50 off: LiveFreeTN Sponsor 2: HollerRoast.com Connect with Isaac Morehouse: https://isaacmorehouse.com/ https://www.instagram.com/isaacmorehouse/ Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link
Join me for a discussion about opting out of fear. You are easier to control when you make your decisions from a fear-based place and that is why it is so profitable too keep our population divided and frantic. But you don't have to participate. You can mindfully move yourself to a place of awareness without the constant fear and build a better place for yourself and your family - and that it what homesteading is all about! We will also cover our usual Monday Segments. Featured Event: Cast Iron Webinar, Feb 23 at 6pm Sponsor 1: AgoristTaxAdvice.com/LFTN Sponsor 2: EMPShield.com, coupon code lftn Tales from the Prepper Pantry Concrete Pour on Wednesday do clearing the freezers out and needing to turn them off at night when it is cold Holler Stew, Carnivore style - lamb and chicken Idea for using up chicken breasts Excellent roast leg of lamb recipe Frugality Tip Making left overs sexy - frugality tip - - pair it with eating before you leave and Bone broth packets Operation Independence New car this weekend Main topic of the Show: How to Opt Out Of Fear Watching my more left friends freak out about DT Constant barrage of fear communications Homesteaders should market to leftys Reminds me of when Obama got elected and the response from the right Making decisions from a fear based place is almost never good for you in the long run - WHY >>Michelle's Car Story Mistake - fast decision under pressure and while still impacted by fear of the accident This is no different than the fear caused by terminal diagnosis, the news cycle, a tight budget, and more. So what do you do? >>Nicole's Car Story Slow your roll Cut off access to you of anything causing fear – people, news, even obsessing about your bank account. Go on a fear diet! 1-5 days, weeks if necessary. Focus on success stories from people in a similar situation. Collect the facts, not the opinions Elon Musk has access to your SSN!!!! We are all gonna DIE The reality of the situation is that you are no more at risk now than you were 2 weeks ago when some unnamed person with very little oversight had access to your information Look at what has historically happened in a similar fear cycle. Who did well and how/why. Who did poorly and how/why. Fitness and Food Think LONG TERM SUCCESS not short term fix – unless you need a tourniquet Back to your bank account fear: Poverty mindset IS making decisions out of fear. But the reality. Long term value over short term happiness is one thing. >>Selling the tahoe for parts story - its time has passed, time to scrap it for long term payoff of my time And when the sky is falling in the news? The same approach applies. If you are a more right leaning person, you are probably noting that articles are better reported all of the sudden by major news organizations. Or are they? What if you are just an anxious person? (Get help) Opting out of the fear cycle means going on a fear diet – AND a fake news diet – so that you can develop perspective for what truly matters and can make the best decisions for you in the long run rather than constantly control for the next thing. 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/$/invite/@livingfree:b Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link
Today we give you an update on the homestead after we have spring into FIRST SPRING in Tennessee, operation eyesore, keeping up with meals on the homestead, egg issues and more. Featured Event: Rabbits and Roses, Huntsville, AB, https://www.facebook.com/events/1010824777095474/?ti=ls >>This may change your perspective on your rabbit meatery
Join me for a group discussion with John Willis of Special Operations Equipment and Jack Spirko of The Survival Podcast. Featured Event: The Self Reliance Festival, SelfRelianceFestival.com Sponsors: The Self Reliance Festival: SelfRelianceFestival.com https://selfreliancefestival.com/ Tickets: https://selfreliancefestival.com/tickets/ Holler Roast Coffee Show Resources Special Operations Equipment TheSurvivalPodcast.com Living Free in Tennessee NicoleSauce.com HollerRoast.com Main content of the show Make it a great week! GUYS! Don't forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community FreeSteading Group: https://freesteading.com/groups/living-free-in-tennessee/ Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/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, I will share what a day looked like for me at the beginning of this podcast compared with a day now, after just about 1000 episodes. We will also cover all our usual segments. LFTN Spring Workshop Tickets: https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/product/2025-lftn-spring-workshop/ Featured Event: Seed Exchange and Potluck at the Holler Homestead, Feb 15 at 12pm-3pm https://www.facebook.com/share/1BN558PR4i/ Sponsor 1: AgoristTaxAdvice.com/lftn Sponsor 2: EMPShield.com, Coupon Code: LFTN Tales from the Prepper Pantry Holler Neighbor Potroast Pantry Challenge Update Seed Sorting Project Working 1 hour at a time for the win Weekly Shopping Report: None today Frugality Tip: None today Community Note: Follow Kiri's Youtube channel, Thunder Hill Farms: https://www.youtube.com/@ThunderHillFarm38 Operation Independence Relationships are important and not in order to get what you want. Basecamp is rented because of relationships Pasture adjustments and new bnbs coming to the Holler Main topic of the Show: May 20, 2016, Living Free in Tennessee had its first episode - https://traffic.libsyn.com/nicolesauce/NicoleSauce_Podcast_May_20_2016_-_52016_6.52_PM.mp3 …what started as a desperate need to release creative energy because my job was suffocating has become a community of doers, my source of inspiration, and something that is achieving what I tried for 14 years to do in the free market public policy realm. And it all started with that one, poorly executed episode. A single decision. A ton of feedback from yall. And encouragement when things got tennous. Episode 1000 is tomorrow and I am excited to share it with Jack Spirko fo the Survival Podcast and John Willis of Special Operations Equipment. But today, I'd like to share with you what my life was like in May of 2016. I was founder and president of a half million to million dollar nonprofit with a mission to equip free market economists in the public policy world with better story telling skills and marketing departments (TALK ABOUT NICHE) I had been homesteading for 9 years and was selling my extra vegetables and craft roasted coffee at the farmers market on saturdays I flew for work so much that I had earned a companion pass on Southwest - look that up I had 1 rental property in Nashville I was deeply unhappy, finding myself in a role where my time was not my own, my primary job was to raise money so that I could pay people to train other people who were not as good of trainers as I was. I was also HR manager, and operations vp, and cfo in function which meant …. Paperwork. Lots and lots of paperwork. After a trip, you could not get me out of the soil if you tried I drank too much A typical day on the homestead started early with some work outside and a cup of coffee. I would then transition into computer work and meetings, frantically tossing in a load of laundry or pulling something out of the freezer for dinner as I went. If there was a crisis, I was able to flew, but then would be looking at a late night of catch up for work. There were no days off. Not ever. The role I was in required that I be constantly available to respond to emails and text messages. It was so bad then when I started turning off my phone from 7-9pm on Mondays, one of the people who interacted with me actually had the gall to explain that because she was on the west coast and her day was not yet done, it was unreasonable for me to not be available from 7-9pm. And she was supported in this from the people who were responsible for about half to ¾ of my budget. The segment operation independence? That stemmed from this situation. Because my area of Focus from my personal life strategic plan was to “Have enough local, ongoing revenue to support my life.” It has been adjusted to regenerative ongoing revenue nine years later, but you get the point. I was solving for being too dependent on one source of income so that I could NOT say no even though I was running my own organization. I became soured on the whole nonprofit world as well as the public policy one because I saw the inherent flaw in trying to fix the system from within the system and over the next few years became convinced that the only way for freedom to grow was through individual action. Starting with myself. In 2017 - I broke out of the system. A typical day was to work for the nonprofit, unpaid so that the people there could use me for creating value so that they could continue it on. They failed at that. A sign the nonprofit should never have existed really. The day:1) Work frenetically on the Center Hill Sun 2) Sell a few coffee orders 3) Weekly podcast 4) More time for homesteading 5) Contract work for corporate facilitations >>>>Tell the rest of the story 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/$/invite/@livingfree:b Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link
Today, we update you on the new lambs on the Holler Homestead, the new feed source we found, importance of community and more! Featured event: 9 am. Tomorrow (Saturday). Workshop Tickets go on sale! Sponsor 1: AgoristTaxAdvice.com Sponsor 2: DiscountMylarBags.com Celebrate! Got first round of seedlings ready (Yesterday's episode) Bottle Lamb Updates Awesome Kitchen Vent Hood Pasture Brat Pack Normalized Paddock Rotation again Operation Eyesore New Feed Source for TN Processor connections Update on managing while Nicole was away Forage: Time to be on the lookout for wild garlic and early spring greens Concrete project sound fun this weekend? Invoicing the lambs we sold this weekend - and why I waited so long. Make it a great week! GUYS! Don't forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift! Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/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 on starting your seeds and out usual “Monday Segments.” Spring Workshop, April 24-26:P https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/spring-workshop-2025/ Sponsor 1: InvestibleWealth.com Sponsor 2: EMPShield.com, Coupon code LFTN LFTN Spring Workshop Tickets go on Sale Saturday at 9am Central. Alan Booker, 2 deep sessions on permaculture topics Jack Spirko, Building Bioreactor Compost and Biochar Nicole Sauce, Lessons Learned from 3 Years Raising Regenerative Sheep Emily Skyles Zanotti: Urban Homesteading Dawn Gorham, Building A Homestead Business Tactical Redneck - A tour of erosion remediation projects at the Holler Homestead. Joel Ryals, Problem Solving and Planning for Success Roundtable Discussion. Function stacking: Holler Homestead Greenhouse Design with Nicole Sauce Harry Albright - Hands on - Building Cages Knitting - Lani Johnson Jenni Hill - Somatic Movement and Breath Work Barter Blanket John Pugliano - Permaculture Your Wealth Kerry Brown- Planning Your Off Grid Home Patrick Roehrman - Accomplishing Anything How I transformed raw land into a family HQ Updated Links for Equipment: Lighting: Burrina Full-Spectrum LED Seed Heat Mat: Updated options on Amazon Tales from the Prepper Pantry Double and triple cooking paid off for Mom's knee replacement Looking to skim coat the concrete this weekend or next week so that we can move utilities and do the final sweep in there Refining what I store to LESS Frugality Tip - send one in Operation Independence Picked up the processed lambs today, Lambs for sale! Main Topic: Seed Starting 4 Keys to Successful Seedlings Light, Light, Light A window isn't going to cut it—this is the #1 reason for failure. Use proper, full-spectrum grow lights (like Burrina lights) positioned uncomfortably close to seedlings. Keep lights on 12-16 hours per day for strong, stocky plants. If you don't have grow lights, be prepared for leggy seedlings. Soil Temperature Matters Too cold? Bad germination and weak seedlings. Ideal temp: 65-85 for many plants Use a seed heat mat (updated links below) or place trays in a warm spot like on top of the fridge. Consistent Moisture—Not Overwatering Keep soil evenly moist, not soggy. Bottom watering is best—use trays with no holes to create a DIY water table. Overwatering leads to weak roots and damping off. Underwatering even once can stunt growth for the life of the plant Potting Mix & Soil Biology If you're new, just buy a good quality seed-starting mix. Look for fine-textured, bark-free soil. Pro tip: Add a quart of soil from a well-run local garden to introduce beneficial microbes and integrate local soil biology. Advanced growers: Make your own with compost, biochar, worm castings, and indigenous microorganisms (IMO). Compost tea made from local soil is a fantastic boost. Soil Mix Don't mix your own unless you know what you're doing (WRONG ADVICE) Experiment while setting yourself up for success—but start with a 50/50 blend before committing fully. Learn from my mistakes Trays & Containers Deep pots (3-4 inches) = Stronger roots Plastic trays with no drainage holes work great for bottom watering. Solo cups are cheap and effective (poke a few drainage holes). Peat pucks: Can work, but I don't use them. Peat pots: Just don't. Choosing Seeds: Heirloom vs. Hybrid It's all okay! Pick what works for your system. Good seedling choices: Tomatoes, peppers, kale, chard, broccoli, lettuce, loofahs. Less ideal: Squash, cucumbers (direct sow if possible). Don't start indoors: Peas, beans, carrots, and most root crops. First Year: Choose 1-2 things, experiment, and don't stress if you buy starts. Keep going! Troubleshooting Germination: The Paper Towel Trick Use damp paper towels in a plastic bag to check seed viability before planting. Keeping Costs Down (While Buying Quality Equipment) Source second-hand greenhouse supplies from local growers. Attend local seed swaps (like the one here in February) for high-quality, adapted seeds. Consider bulk seed buys as a community. 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/$/invite/@livingfree:b Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link
Today I am joined by the Tactical Redneck and perhaps Knighthawk for the latest news from the Holler Homestead. Babies, extreme cold, planning the gardens and more Featured event: LFTN Spring Workshop Sponsor 1: AgoristTaxAdvice.com/LFTN Sponsor 2: EMPShield.com, Coupon Code LFTN Email feedback to nicole@livingfreeintennessee.com Forage Wheat is ready to harvest Iding herbals/wilds that we do not want the sheep to eat Day Lillies are blooming Garden: Cover crop sautees Inside cherry tomatoes Livestock Rabbit ear mites No ducklings yet Eating things faster than we thought so we are moving them each day until cleared (overseeding pasture mix) Muscovies incoming tomorrow thanks to Kerrry and Lisa 4 eggs a day - summer slump Sheep story Grow Holler Neighbors/Community Infrastructure Finances Membership Plug Make it a great week! GUYS! Don't forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift! Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/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 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 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 members of our community and beyond about building the life you choose, current events, building a durable life, community development, business, getting started, health and more. Each Tuesday, we welcome a different guest to tell their story, as well as take your questions live. Featured Event: LFTN Spring Workshop, LivingFreeinTennessee.com Sponsors: Meticulous.com HollerRoast.com AbovePhone.com: https://abovephone.com/?above=104 Use coupon code for $50 off: LiveFreeTN Show Resources AbovePhone.com HackMyHomestead.com Living Free in Tennessee NicoleSauce.com HollerRoast.com Main content of the show Make it a great week! GUYS! Don't forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community FreeSteading Group: https://freesteading.com/groups/living-free-in-tennessee/ Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/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 talk about how to plan your kitchen garden, especially from the perspective of replacing dependence on the grocery store. I also cover our usual segments: Tales from the Prepper Pantry, Frugality Tip, Operation Independence and more. Featured Event: LFTN Spring Workshop Sponsor 1: TheWealthSteadingPodcast.com Sponsor 2: DiscountMylarBags.com Resources Mad River Seeds on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/market/mad_river_seeds Baker Creek: https://www.rareseeds.com/ Seed Savers Exchange: https://seedsavers.org/ Homegrown Cooking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbCr4DQ3KI0 SCHEDULE THIS WEEK AND NEXT Listener feedback - I want to move to TN, where do I go? Tales from the Prepper Pantry Big thanks to Ryan Steva on the prepper pantry before this deep freeze Homegrown Cooking: Beef Heart - Next month is steak and kidney stew from Dawn and meatballs from me Travelling with a cooler Freezers are reorganized and ready for incoming lambs Weekly Shopping Report Based on some videos from a few prepping channels (eg. Poplar Report, Pinball Preparedness), I'm trying to be more attentive to shortages, but fortunately haven't seen anything remarkable other than the limit of 2 on Aldi eggs. Dollar Tree was first. Stock is always changing there, but there were no vacant areas and I did not see duplication being used to hide low stock. The drink selection remains good. The food coolers are mostly full. We did not go in to Home Depot, but the online price of a 2x4x8 remains at $3.85. Aldi was last. We found what we wanted. Staple prices were: bread (20 oz. white): $1.39; eggs: $4.17 (+, limit 2); whole milk: $2.87 (-); heavy cream: $5.39; OJ: $3.69; butter: $3.79 (-); bacon: $3.99; potatoes: no tag; sugar: $2.99 (+); flour: $2.35 (+); and 80% lean ground beef: $3.79. Untainted regular unleaded at Weigels was still $3.59 per gallon, but the 87 octane (regular) corrupted with ethanol is only $2.79. Frugality Tip from Margo Today is a short and sweet simple tip. Whenever we are out shopping or whatnot I pack a small cooler with drinks and a reusable ice block. I also keep an extra insulated tumbler full of water in the car at all times. Stopping to grab a drink adds up quickly, especially with someone that drinks soda. So stop yourself from grabbing that convenience store overpriced drink and just pack a small cooler. Happy saving y'all. ~Margo Operation Independence Value of four rams on homestead income: $1200 Main Topic of today's Show: Planning Your Kitchen Garden Two ways to plan: Replacing fresh veg in season then buying shipped in “fresh” veg the rest of the year VSr eating seasonally. What is your goal? (Replace most food by growing your own VS supplementing and sourcing locally or regenerative options) I dont care what you say - Unless you are wiling to dramatically adjust what you eat, your goal is to supplement Grain example - it's both regional and dependent on how much land you have in production: Wheat, oats, corn, beans That mid-winter banana, apples, fresh summer squash, etc Sugar Seasonal eating method Use what is here and ripe first (Bone broth story) Preserve what makes sense Then tap stored items when fresh is not available Develop/track a cycle of preservation power pantry method of storing what you use and using what you store. (Pay attention to what you really use each year and do tap into waves of abundance - cornmageddon) Assessing Needs: Calculate the amount of food needed per person and how to align this dietary preferences. Typical example - 2 heads of lettuce a week, means succession planting 2 heads a week, 5 lbs of tomatoes a week, means succession planting tomatoes. Also, there is an AI problem The reality of vegetable seasonality - Tomatoes ripen in waves Lettuce will stop producing in very hot weather Location appropriate alternatives Preserving surplus for “off season” use (Carrots and other “Roots” Integration into the local community and compost Meals replaced method: in season and out of season - this is how to estimate % food coming from land and local sources Green bean example - 65 jars - 65 meals covered, most of which will happen Fresh chard, squash, etc 99% meat is from here at this point Choosing plants - Dont plant what you dont eat Radishes story Yield per plant BS on seed packets Proioritize 3 things - Green beans, chard, tomatoes at the HH Garden Layout: Talk about zoning, herbs, and succession planting. How much space do you have - will you have and how close is it to your house? What takes the most interaction? Put high maintenance stuff closer (Tomato wall) INTERPLANTING, COVER CROPS and SUCCESSION PLANTING Soil Health: Your are first growing soil - HomeFoodSystems.com Interplanting, guilds, etc Succession planting and seed roulette Rotation - needed or not? Cover crops - again - homefoodsystems.com Sourcing seeds: Ask locally what people have success with - see if they have saved and will sell you some, participate in seed exchanges even if you have no seeds. I like Baker Creek, Mad River Seeds https://www.etsy.com/market/mad_river_seeds Have fun with this! Especially if it is your first year. The first rule of homesteading is BE FEARLESS 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, we talk about more lambing fun, dog kefir, cold swimming and more. Resources: Solar Webinar: LivingFreeinTennessee.com Homegrown Cooking with Dawn Gorham: https://www.youtube.com/@lftn Sponsor 1: DiscountMylarBags.com Sponsor 2: The WealthsteadingPodcast.com Lamb Deposits for October: LivingFreeinTennessee.com Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Email feedback to nicole@livingfreeintennessee.com Failed chicken dinner Prepper Pantry Progress Avoiding pasture damage when ice turns to mud Loading rams for the processor Fun at the processors Hairy balls Dog kefir How are we going to split the flock? Cold swimming - polar plunge light You finally finished the stew Bone broth on cold days Seed order is in for the gardens (The challenge) REALLY MUST process rabbits Basecamp showing to a community member today Make it a great week! GUYS! Don't forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift! Community Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/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
Break Out of the Systems, Choose Freedom and Build a Better World Together Once a month on our Tuesday Coffee With Nicole show, we go unplugged and today is that day. Join me for a conversation about the US Healthcare system and its impact on freedom Featured Event: Save the Date for The Self Reliance Festival: SelfRelianceFestival.com https://selfreliancefestival.com/ Sponsors: HollerRoast.com AbovePhone.com: https://abovephone.com/?above=104 Use coupon code for $50 off: LiveFreeTN Show Resources AbovePhone.com Living Free in Tennessee NicoleSauce.com HollerRoast.com Main content of the show What are my options for health insurance? This is the question I got most often when people are looking to transition out of a live on the job conveyer belt to working for themselves. Indeed, one of the biggest reasons give to me by a more left leaning friend of mine for WHY we needed Obamacare was health insurance. Note that I do not refer to this as healthcare and that is with reason. He pointed out that, as an aspiring entrepreneur you already are facing a hard road ahead, but if you get sick you could lose everything and health insurance is so expensive. I remember ending that conversation pointing out that he and I wanted the same thing, affordable health care so that sick people can get what they need to get better. We just wanted it in a different way. Then another friend told me about her experience being in a car crash in great Britain which has a more socialized healthcare system than in the US. At the hostpital, they had no idea how to get paid for helping her so there was a fight for every step in her care until she finally figured out how to charter a flight out of that country and back home for care. She wanted to just pay since she did not qualify for care there (and must not have had travel insurance) but they had no way to do that. In the early aughts, I was workign for myself and carried one of those plans where you hold a high deductible and put up to something like 75% of you annual deductible into an HSA for when you need it. This meant I needed to pay case for care up to about $1000 a year (That was a high deductible 20 years ago yo) and I would talk with the office manager before getting seen to negotiate my fees for 25-40% less if I paid cash up front. Because they spent WAY less in resources getting paid when they did not need to bill insurance. Then I needed a specialist - and that specialist did a bunch of tests without my permission, did not tell me what they were looking for and biopsied me in a way that has left a long-term disfiguration that was unnecessary. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune skin condition called lichen sclerosis in my 20s and they had no idea how to treat it. When I went to negotiate the bill, the office manager had no idea what to charge me at time of service because their billing system was so complicated. She kept asking me to apply for government assistance so that they could bill me at those rates and when I tried to pay with cash, she had no idea what to do. Months later, there was a bill, I made a call and offered 60% of it cash, and they accepted that offer. The struggle is real yall. Problems with the US Healthcare System Being sick and dying sucks and sometimes they have no idea what to do Chronic illness is on the rise alongside obesity and there are more people needing more help We already had a doctor to patient problem coming with the boomer retirement wave and we made it worse with all the drama of the pandemic We have been programmed to equate health insurance with healthcare Incentives in the system are toward increased beauracracy Codes and billing have made it worse over time and this starts in medicaid Health insurance as a tax deduction was incentivised in the 40s and messed with in the 50s leading to the transition from cash for care to the broken system we have now - and back then, being sick and dying still sucked Culture shift: Health care and medical support became an elite system that cut out alternative healing, health coaching, and prevention and focused on first cures, then management One thing that has made US progress happen faster than other places: Rich Sick People What does this mean for freedom? Like everything else your health and health care is your responsibilty. Are the insurance companies to blame? Yes but so are the nonprofit hospitals, the doctors who allowed biling to be taken from them, managed health care systems, the IRS, etc. It is not a single villian and that makes it hard to beat. Erosion of dental Erosion of veterinary Hope: Cash Clinics Concierge Care Growing body of knowledge on nutrition, lifestyle choices and in the impact of big food on our bodies Functional medicine Integrated Manual Therapy PMAs Drs and Nurses doing their best from inside the system to help people get care But this impacts your freedom in a big way doesnt it? The only way to fix this one is to invest your time, money and energy in an alternative and become the solution – and yet if there is a fencepost through your leg, you are going to end up in THE SYSTEM right now so you want to be ready for that. Health Shares Relationships and Kindness Obamacare plans and employer insurance Private Insurance But we need to keep our eye on the long term and, help build it, and be ready to jump when the jumpin is good. 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, I share my thoughts on slowing down so that you can speed up, go over the update from the prepper pantry, share a frugality tip and more. Resources Sign Up For The Solar Webinar AgoristTaxAdvice.com/LFTN EMPSHIELD.com Coupon Code: LFTN My3Things Free Webinar Tuesday My3Things, Four Week Challenge HollerRoast.com Featured Event: Solar Webinar with Shawn Mills, January 19, 3pm Sponsor 1: AgoristTaxAdvice.com/lftn Sponsor 2: EMPShield.com, Coupon Code: LFTN Tales from the Prepper Pantry Transition to carnivore for the challenge is complete Sunday “pile of meat” Homegrown Cooking episode with Dawn this friday: Probably cooking a cow's heart but who knows? January Pantry Challenge Weekly Shopping Report None this week - we had snow Frugality Tip From Margo Some people have memberships that give them rewards. I tend to save them until we need them. I save points and redeem for gift cards for birthday and Christmas gifts. We have a car rental membership that is a work perk so we do not have to pay for it. After so many days you get free rentals. We had a situation come up over the Christmas break that required a pick up truck. We used a free days rental and didn't have to pay a crazy Holiday price for a rental truck. So by saving those free days, we saved even more money on that much needed truck rental. So sometimes those pay for memberships are very worth their annual fees and this frugal lady has a few. Happy savings y'all Operation Independence My 3 things 4 week challenge & another webinar tomorrow 5 Lambs were born so far - 3 today. To Speed Up, First You Must Slow Down Last year was the year of hone and life really tossed some tests my direction in that regard. Many tests were new opportunities which is so tempting to take on when they come. But saying yes to everything is a bad habit to have and a great one to decide to get rid of sooner rather than later. By April, I had started saying no to almost everything, especially things that involved travel off the homestead. I had realized that things on my homestead do not flourish as well when I am not here. Not being present - and multiple ways that is a truth Now is the year of enrich - meaning beyond the pocket book. I am asking myself, how am I enriching the world around me? >Roadblock Busting *The car *Operation eyesore *The paperwork monster Show notes at 12pm today and the Monday mail has not gone out, the solar webinar is not launched, and that is ok. Previously I would have all these things not half-assed well in advance. But does that enrich the world around me? To speed up, first you must slow down Slow down and remove barriers Slow down and assess priorities - like your true priorities of project, living, relationships, health Slow down and test assumptions Slow down and develop systems that work Slow down and prioritize yourself Why? If you don't you will lose the things you do not build into your life. When you half -ass things they begin to crack around the edged Observations: 1. Always be defining complete as a little bit more 2. It's ok to stop mid way and never come back, just take out the trash when you do 3. Communication is even more importantBe ready to go very fast once you get things dialed in - and then your preparations will be your strength! So sometimes you need to take that half day to learn an AI tool, dial in the website, or defrag a paperwork monster instead of continually racing forward and building things anew. Because building the life you choose, means you need to choose. And choosing one thing can mean walking away from not as good. 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/$/invite/@livingfree:b Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link
I am joined by The Tactical Redneck, Tracy and Knighthawk to talk about the latest on the homestead: New births (oops), the snowmageddon that didn't, actual snow and more. This show is brought to you by: DiscountMylarBags.com AgoristTaxAdvice.com/LFTN Lambs born Lamb died The parts car sale and roadblocks 4 wheeler rebuild Watercress is under water for the winter Processing Rabbits this weekend The Pantry Challenge Planning what to grow Rabbit Water cant go empty on any of them because of the cold Finishing our raised beds - smaller gardens in 2025 to facilitate the move Ducks are not laying eggs Time to start chard and brassicas Screening ashes Thinking about compost The pool house green house idea Basecamp will be available to rent mid-February Rams headed to the processor next week GUYS! Don't forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift! Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/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
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