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Simple Doesn't Mean Easy

Michelle Visser

Ever wish you had a mentor to help you make healthier, real food choices, one small step at a time? Someone to whisper encouragements in your ear? Someone who has been taking small steps for over a decade, learned a lot about real food, non-toxic living, and a holistic approach to wellness along the way?

Tune in every Monday as your host, Michelle Visser—former junk food addict, turned homesteader and medicinal gardener—offers you encouragement and practical insights on the Simple Doesn’t Mean Easy podcast.

We dive deep into topics like avoiding processed foods, incorporating whole foods into your diet, milling fresh flour, and understanding the powerful benefits of fermented foods, medicinal drinks, and other healthy, gut-friendly options. We explore topics, often with thought-provoking guests, from the importance of healthy fats and natural sugars to practical tips on gardening, creating simple recipes, and stocking your kitchen with the best pantry staples.

Whether you're looking to improve your immune system, learn how to nourish your body with real, nutrient-dense foods, or discover better, nontoxic options, join in every episode and gain actionable advice for making sustainable, healthier choices.

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  • 23 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 35 min
  • English
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • April 20 · 45 min

    219. The Truth About Ancient Grains, Gluten & Modern Wheat

    Is gluten really the problem? What if the real story starts long before your flour hits the kitchen? In this episode of Simple Doesn’t Mean Easy, we go straight to the source—literally. Michelle sits down with a multi-generational wheat farmer and miller to uncover what’s changed in our grain over time—and why ancient grains like einkorn are making a comeback. You’ll hear what’s happening in the soil, how modern wheat has been altered for efficiency (not nutrition), and why freshly milled flour behaves completely differently in your baking. And don’t miss the end of this episode—where we break down why some people who struggle with modern wheat can tolerate ancient grains, and what that actually means for your kitchen. In this episode, we cover: -The real difference between ancient grains and modern wheat -Why einkorn is NOT just “another trendy flour” -How farming practices impact nutrition and digestibility -What changes when you mill your own flour at home -Why your bread might not taste like it used to -The surprising truth about gluten (this might change how you think about it) This episode's sponsors: https://soulyrested.com/trueleaf https://soulyrested.com/teas https://soulyrested.com/coffee Grab my Pantry Checklist (loaded with discounts on my favorite ingredients) for free right here: https://soulyrested.com/pantry/ Go here to get special offers for podcast listeners in your inbox: https://soulyrested.com/podcast/ About Michelle Visser Hi, so nice to meet you! I’m Michelle, a former processed food junkie turned real-food enthusiast. My husband and I live on a small New England farm and sugarbush with a lot of gardens. But I’m passionate about helping folks have more real food in their lives, no matter where they live. No farm or garden required. 👋Find me in all the places: My book: https://amzn.to/45Pt8Pu My website: https://soulyrested.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/souly.rested/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soulyrested Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/soulyrested/ youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleVisser CONTACT: michelle@soulyrested(dot)com If you listen to any of the following shows, we're sure you'll love ours too! Ancestral Kitchen, Pioneering Today with Melissa K Norris, Simple Farmhouse Life with Lisa Bass, Pantry Chat with Homesteading Family, Sue's Healthy Minutes with Sue Becker, Old Fashioned on Purpose with Jill Winger, The Wildly Capable Show with Liz and Joey Haselmayer, ZOE Science & Nutrition, Maintenance Phase

  • April 13 · 28 min

    218. How to Break Junk Food Addictions: The 30-Day Reset That Works

    In this episode of Simple Doesn’t Mean Easy, Michelle sits down with Glenn Livingston, a former food industry insider turned expert in binge eating and food addiction recovery. After struggling with his own compulsive eating and reaching nearly 300 pounds, Glenn reveals how processed foods are deliberately engineered to trigger cravings at a neurological level—making overeating feel impossible to control. In today's episode: Learn the science behind cravings, Understand why cravings get worse before they go away Gain insight into what happens during the critical 14–20 day window Find out how long it really takes to rewire your habits You’ll also learn practical strategies to stop binge eating, including how to: Identify your personal food triggers, Create simple rules that retrain your brain, and Determine whether moderation or total elimination is the right path for you. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of junk food cravings, this episode offers a realistic, science-backed way to finally break free. This episode's sponsors: https://soulyrested.com/coffee https://soulyrested.com/trueleaf https://soulyrested.com/tea Go here to get special offers for podcast listeners in your inbox: https://soulyrested.com/podcast/ FREE resources: Learn how to use fresh milled flour: https://graceful-base-213.myflodesk.com/k36hnsvbh7 Learn about kombucha (and grab some of my favorite recipes): https://graceful-base-213.myflodesk.com/b91bdd18-3581-414f-b145-8acd2e508a52 Learn about dehydrating food: https://graceful-base-213.myflodesk.com/fl36xcgpvq Learn about baking with maple syrup: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62116313e0eda1a0d870b747 Learn about making your own maple syrup: https://graceful-base-213.myflodesk.com/q5ecjrundz Looking for more free resources? Choose from even more FREE e-courses here: https://soulyrested.com/howto/ All my favorite ingredients: https://soulyrested.com/the-best-ingredients-in-my-kitchen/ About Michelle Visser Hi, so nice to meet you! I’m Michelle, a former processed food junkie turned real-food enthusiast. My husband and I live on a small New England farm and sugarbush with a lot of gardens. But I’m passionate about helping folks have more real food in their lives, no matter where they live. No farm or garden required. 👋Find me in all the places: My book: https://amzn.to/45Pt8Pu My website: https://soulyrested.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/souly.rested/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soulyrested Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/soulyrested/ youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleVisser CONTACT: michelle@soulyrested(dot)com If you listen to any of the following shows, we're sure you'll love ours too! Ancestral Kitchen, Pioneering Today with Melissa K Norris, Simple Farmhouse Life with Lisa Bass, Pantry Chat with Homesteading Family, Sue's Healthy Minutes with Sue Becker, Old Fashioned on Purpose with Jill Winger, The Wildly Capable Show with Liz and Joey Haselmayer, ZOE Science & Nutrition, Maintenance Phase

  • April 6 · 18 min

    217. Why ‘Daily Bread’ Matters: Faith, Food Security & Letting Go of Control

    In this deeply personal Easter episode of Simple Doesn’t Mean Easy, Michelle shares a powerful reflection on faith, hardship, and the true meaning of provision. Walking through a painful season involving a loved one’s wrongful incarceration, she explores the Biblical story of manna and what it reveals about our modern obsession with self-sufficiency. From food storage and wheat berries to the limits of prepping, this episode challenges the idea that we can fully provide for ourselves. Instead, it offers a refreshing perspective on daily dependence, community support, and trusting God through uncertainty. Whether you're interested in real food, homesteading, or deeper life meaning, this episode will shift how you think about “daily bread.” It turns out gratitude exists alongside suffering—not after it. And true preparedness is learning skills and sharing, not hoarding. Grab my Pantry Checklist (loaded with discounts on my favorite ingredients) for free right here: https://soulyrested.com/pantry/ Go here to get special offers for podcast listeners in your inbox: https://soulyrested.com/podcast/ FREE resources: Learn how to use fresh milled flour: https://graceful-base-213.myflodesk.com/k36hnsvbh7 Learn about kombucha (and grab some of my favorite recipes): https://graceful-base-213.myflodesk.com/b91bdd18-3581-414f-b145-8acd2e508a52 Learn about dehydrating food: https://graceful-base-213.myflodesk.com/fl36xcgpvq Learn about baking with maple syrup: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62116313e0eda1a0d870b747 Learn about making your own maple syrup: https://graceful-base-213.myflodesk.com/q5ecjrundz Looking for more free resources? Choose from even more FREE e-courses here: https://soulyrested.com/howto/ All my favorite ingredients: https://soulyrested.com/the-best-ingredients-in-my-kitchen/ About Michelle Visser Hi, so nice to meet you! I’m Michelle, a former processed food junkie turned real-food enthusiast. My husband and I live on a small New England farm and sugarbush with a lot of gardens. But I’m passionate about helping folks have more real food in their lives, no matter where they live. No farm or garden required. 👋Find me in all the places: My book: https://amzn.to/45Pt8Pu My website: https://soulyrested.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/souly.rested/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soulyrested Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/soulyrested/ youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleVisser CONTACT: michelle@soulyrested(dot)com If you listen to any of the following shows, we're sure you'll love ours too! Ancestral Kitchen, Pioneering Today with Melissa K Norris, Simple Farmhouse Life with Lisa Bass, Pantry Chat with Homesteading Family, Sue's Healthy Minutes with Sue Becker, Old Fashioned on Purpose with Jill Winger, The Wildly Capable Show with Liz and Joey Haselmayer, ZOE Science & Nutrition, Maintenance Phase

Showing 21–23 of 23 episodes