When the weather turns cold, there’s nothing quite like the smell of soup simmering on the stove or fresh bread baking in the oven. In this episode of The Joyfully Prepared Podcast, Wendi Bergin shares her favorite tips for creating warm, comforting meals with minimal effort and maximum joy. From nostalgic family traditions to practical pantry staples, Wendi dives into the heart of what makes comfort food so special.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• The power of comfort food: more than just nourishment, it’s a way to create warmth, love, and tradition in your home.
• Wendi’s childhood memories of her mom making bread and "scones" (aka fry bread) and how those flavors inspired her own cooking.
• How to stock your pantry with essential staples like beans, rice, pasta, tomato sauce, and spices to make comfort meals anytime.
• Tips for meal planning and building food storage to always have ingredients on hand, even during chilly days.
• Freezer-friendly ideas for soups, casseroles, and batch cooking to save time and reduce stress.
• Wendi’s love for nostalgic recipes like chicken and dumplings, cinnamon rolls, and split pea soup—and why even her husband “steals” her leftovers!

Cozy Highlights:

• Discover how comfort food can bring families together and pass on cherished traditions.
• Learn how to simplify meal prep by keeping versatile ingredients in your pantry and freezer.
• Hear Wendi’s funny story about her split pea soup plans and how to store soups for easy, nourishing meals.
• Fun historical tidbits about the importance of bread and soup for armies and sailors in the past.

Links Mentioned:

Meal Planning with Food Storage Workshop

Meal Planning Workshop Series
 

Souper Cubes (for freezing soups and casseroles) 

Souper Cubes 1 Cup Silicone Freezer Molds - Soup Cubes Perfect for Freezing Broth, Rice, Leftovers and More - Silicone Freezer Trays with Lids for Meal Prep - Aqua - 2-Pack

Recipe for Wendi’s "Company Casserole" 

Company Casserole Recipe - Food.com

What’s your favorite comfort food? Share your recipe with Wendi! Send her a message and let her know what dish warms your heart and home.