Simple Farmhouse Life Podcast - Episode 280 Summary

Release Date: March 11, 2025

Host: Lisa Bass
Title: An update on our home build, saving money on organic groceries, how we spend our weekends, baby-led weaning, and more!

1. Home Build Update

Lisa Bass kicks off Episode 280 with a comprehensive update on her family's new homestead build. Moving away from their previous property with a restrictive HOA, Lisa and her husband are excited about building a custom home on a seven-acre farm that will serve both their current needs and future generations.

• Foundation Progress:
  "Currently the foundation is dug and it's all the forms are there. We're just waiting to actually pour the concrete." [04:50]
  Lisa shares that adverse weather delayed their initial plans, but with the foundation ready, construction is set to accelerate.

• Design and Planning:
  Lisa has been meticulously working on the house's design, including ordering windows, cabinets, and planning the kitchen and exterior layouts. Additionally, she's contemplating the placement of gardens and other outdoor features.

• Pool Installation:
  A significant part of their vision includes adding a pool to the farm. Inspired by Liz Marie's simple rectangular vinyl liner pool with a sun ledge, Lisa aims to create a beautiful and functional space for family gatherings.
  "I really want to host. I'm 40 this year. We're just in a different season of life, and I'm ready to host all the things and be the house where people come." [11:00]

• Future Plans:
  Lisa envisions the farm as a central hub for family and friends, fostering strong community ties as their children grow and expand their social circles.

2. Saving Money on Organic Groceries

Addressing budget-friendly strategies, Lisa discusses how to maintain an organic and healthy diet without breaking the bank.

• Meal Planning and Bulk Cooking:
  "Doing a bulk of your meals instead of centering them around maybe a more expensive cut of meat... Cooking a whole chicken as opposed to buying chicken breasts." [01:40]
  She emphasizes the importance of purchasing whole, less expensive protein sources and incorporating whole grains and sourdough to stretch the budget.

• Smart Swapping:
  Lisa suggests replacing costly pre-made items with homemade alternatives.
  "Things like pre-made chips or granola, taking each thing and thinking is there a cheaper protein source? Is there a cheaper carb source here? Is there a swap I could make?" [02:00]

• Local and Seasonal Shopping:
  Buying raw milk and meats from local farms at competitive prices can significantly reduce grocery expenses. Lisa notes her current rate of $7 per gallon for raw milk as an example of savvy local sourcing.

3. Weekend Activities and Family Time

Lisa highlights how her family spends weekends, balancing homestead responsibilities with quality family time.

• Regular Sister Gatherings:
  Maintaining strong family bonds is a priority. Lisa describes weekly meet-ups with her sisters, which include activities like sushi nights, attending farmer's markets, and seasonal outings such as ice skating and gym gatherings during colder months.
  "We have very regular times that we get together every single week... Tonight two of my sisters and I... we might meet up at my parents because they have a pond and it should be frozen, so we might ice skate." [10:00]

• Hosting and Socializing:
  Inspired by her recent family trip to Fort Lauderdale, Lisa plans to make their new homestead a welcoming place for extended family and friends, fostering a sense of community and togetherness.

4. Baby-Led Weaning and Cooking for Babies

In this segment, Lisa shares her approach to introducing solid foods to her children and how it integrates with her cooking routines.

• No Modifications Needed:
  "I don't modify anything. So I cook as I usually would. I give them the things that I'm more confident that they won't choke on." [25:30]
  Lisa believes in offering her children the same nutritious meals she prepares for the family, ensuring they receive the full benefits of fresh, whole foods.

• Safety Considerations:
  While she incorporates her children into family meals, Lisa remains cautious about certain foods like honey due to botulism risks.
  "The one thing I do change is until they're one... I'll just throw in some maple syrup instead." [28:00]

• Milling Fresh Grains:
  Preferring to mill grains as needed to preserve nutritional value, Lisa avoids storing large quantities of freshly milled grains.
  "There’s really almost no benefit of the grains after they're sitting there, I would rather just reach for all-purpose if I needed something in a quick pinch and mill as I go." [28:20]

5. Listener Questions and Insights

Lisa dedicates a substantial portion of the episode to answering listener-submitted questions, providing practical advice based on her experiences.

a. Maintaining Close Family Relationships

Question:
"Hi Lisa, I want to have a closer relationship with my sister. We live an hour away from each other and have families of our own. How do you stay in close contact with your sisters and manage your households?"

Lisa's Response:
Lisa outlines her family's strategy for maintaining close ties despite busy schedules and geographical distances. Regular weekly gatherings, utilizing group texts for practical communication, and intentional planning are key.
"We have to find some intentional time to make that happen... We have very regular times that we get together every single week." [17:00]

b. Choosing Between Land and Living Close to Family

Question:
"If you had to choose either having land or living close to family, what would you choose?"

Lisa's Response:
Lisa emphatically prefers staying close to family over acquiring more land, highlighting the irreplaceable value of familial bonds.
"I would definitely just stay where family is... It has become more important the older I get." [22:00]

c. Cutting Down Grocery Spending on a Tight Budget

Question:
"New to motherhood and homesteading, we're on a tight budget and trying to buy organic. How can we save money on groceries?"

Lisa's Response:
Lisa offers actionable tips such as bulk cooking, choosing cost-effective protein sources like whole chickens over breast fillets, and prioritizing filling, inexpensive foods over pricier, less nutritious options.
"Doing a bulk of your meals instead of centering them around maybe a more expensive cut of meat... figuring out is there a cheaper protein source." [24:30]

d. Teaching Toddlers to Self-Soothe During Naps

Question:
"How can I teach my 18-month-old to put herself back to sleep during naps?"

Lisa's Response:
Acknowledging her limited expertise, Lisa shares her approach of offering patience and understanding, recognizing that each child develops at their own pace. She notes that by age two, children typically start managing longer naps independently.
"By age two, I find they grow out of that and it's usually not at 18 months." [26:30]

e. Managing Homestead Chores with Babies

Question:
"How do you get farm chores done with babies when you don't have an extra hand?"

Lisa's Response:
Lisa emphasizes the importance of containment and flexibility. Using strollers and baby wraps allows her to tend to chores while keeping her infants safe.
"As long as you can contain them so they're not, you know, running off to the pond or the road or whatever hazards, it's very manageable." [29:00]

Conclusion

In Episode 280, Lisa Bass offers a heartfelt and practical glimpse into her life of homesteading, family management, and maintaining meaningful relationships. Her insights into budget-friendly organic living, the intricacies of building a new homestead, and navigating parenthood provide valuable lessons for listeners striving to lead a simple, intentional farmhouse life.

For more detailed insights and resources mentioned in this episode, visit farmhouse on Boone and explore Lisa's courses on Simple Sourdough and YouTube Success Academy.

Notable Quotes:

• "Feeling like myself again. That's what women mention over and over in the reviews." – Lisa Bass [00:00] (Note: This quote is from an ad segment and is excluded from the main summary as per instructions.)

• "We have to find some intentional time to make that happen." – Lisa Bass [17:00]

• "I would definitely just stay where family is." – Lisa Bass [22:00]

• "Doing a bulk of your meals instead of centering them around maybe a more expensive cut of meat." – Unknown Speaker [01:40]

• "As long as you can contain them so they're not, you know, running off to the pond or the road or whatever hazards, it's very manageable." – Lisa Bass [29:00]

Note: Timestamps correspond to the transcript provided and are used here to attribute quotes accurately.