Happy New Year and cheers to 2025!

In today’s episode, I am excited to welcome Heather Bell, lovingly known as Mama Bell. Heather is a mother of eight and a viral cooking and lifestyle influencer.

With joy and love, she shares her big family way of life through stories, recipes, and the journeys of her eight children—seven of whom are adopted.

For over 28 years, Heather has been a farmer’s wife, partnering with her hardworking husband on their Michigan farm, where they raise 4,000 laying hens, providing eggs to local grocery stores and restaurants.

Heather’s new book, Mama Bell’s Big Family Cooking: 100+ Big-Batch Homestyle Recipes Your Family is Gonna Love, celebrates the art of big-batch, homestyle cooking with heartwarming stories of her family and their love of the kitchen.

Key Highlights

• Heather’s Big Family Way of Life:

• • How Heather and her husband balance farm life and raising a large family.

  • Stories and lessons from parenting eight children, including seven adoptions.

• Behind the Book - Mama Bell’s Big Family Cooking:

• • Highlights from the 10-chapter book, featuring each family member and their favorite kitchen contributions.

  • Tips for keeping large-batch cooking simple, easy, and filling.

• Homestyle Recipes and Family Connection:

• • Over 100 recipes designed for big families and gatherings.

  • How food fosters connection and love in Heather’s home.

Thank you for joining me for today’s conversation with Heather Bell. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or looking for inspiration for family meals, I hope this episode fills your heart and table.

Things We Mention In This Episode:

Register for The State of Cookbook Publishing Workshop

Mama Bell’s Big Family Cooking

Connect with Heather @justthebells10

Land O' Lakes Treasury of Country Cooking