Ever heard the term "crunchy" and wondered what it actually means? Join cousins Chrissy and Katie on this episode of Crunchy Stewardship as they pull back the curtain on the world of natural, holistic living. We're defining what "crunchy" means to us – a lifestyle focused on stewarding our spiritual, mental, emotional, financial, and physical health to honor God – and why it's more of a spectrum than a strict label.

From birthing choices and organic eating to homemade cleaning products and natural remedies, we share our personal journeys and reveal just how "crunchy" we actually are. Plus, get ready to play along as we take a fun personality quiz to help you discover where you land on the crunchy spectrum!

Episode Takeaway:

Embracing a more natural, non-toxic lifestyle isn't about rigid adherence or perfection; it's a personalized journey of making intentional choices that align with your values for health and well-being.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to Crunchy Stewardship

00:44 The 'Crunchy' Spectrum

03:27 Chrissy's Crunchy Journey

05:26 Defining 'Crunchy'

06:45 Katie's Crunchy Journey

11:10 How Crunchy Are You? Quiz

12:23 Ideal Birthing Scenario

15:25 Organic Choices

17:11 Breastfeeding Plans

19:29 Baby Carrying Methods

22:03 Produce

24:22 Drinking Water

25:37 Fermentation

25:49 Finding Clean Products

26:28 Essential Oils

27:19 Acupuncture

28:40 Bone Broth

29:33 Compost

30:00 Dream Homes

30:23 Coffee Additions

31:21 Farmer's Market Finds

33:22 Crunchy Checklist

35:34 Education

36:42 Crunchy Practices

38:46 Final Thoughts

Links & Things Mentioned in This Episode:

• Bobby Approved App: This app helps you scan product barcodes to see if ingredients are "Bobby Approved" based on common health criteria. https://www.flavcity.com/bobbyapproved/
• EWG (Environmental Working Group) Apps: We love their apps (like Healthy Living) for checking ingredients in personal care products, cleaning supplies, and food, giving them a "cleanliness" score. https://www.ewg.org/apps/
• Dirty Dozen & Clean Fifteen Lists (by EWG): These annual guides help you prioritize which produce to buy organic (Dirty Dozen) and which are generally safe to buy conventional (Clean Fifteen). https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.php
• Brita Water Filter Chrissy Uses: https://amzn.to/4lU6C11
• Brita Faucet Filter: https://amzn.to/4jEdazm
• Berkey Water Filters: https://amzn.to/4cWaIll
• US Raw Milk Laws by State: As promised, here's a helpful resource to understand the legality and accessibility of raw milk in your state: https://www.realmilk.com/real-milk-legal-map/

Connect With Us:

Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crunchychristianmama

FREE How to Afford Non-Toxic Living Workbook: https://crunchystewardship.com/how-to-afford-non-toxic-living

This podcast episode of Crunchy Stewardship features cousins Katie and Chrissy diving into the significant monetary and intangible costs associated with unhealthy lifestyles, drawing on research and personal experiences. They explore how chronic diseases burden individuals and the healthcare system financially, while also highlighting the impact on mental, emotional, and social well-being. The conversation then shifts to the cost benefits of embracing a healthier, more natural way of living, grounded in biblical principles, and offers practical, budget-friendly strategies like reducing alcohol and tobacco, incorporating free physical activity, and prioritizing whole, nutritious foods. Katie and Chrissy also share personal anecdotes and cost-saving tips such as making homemade laundry detergent and bread, and opting for reusable alternatives like cloth diapers, emphasizing that small, consistent changes can lead to significant long-term health and financial advantages.

Episode Takeaway:

Consider the things in your life that could be costing you your health. Find small, simple steps that you can implement today to begin taking those baby steps to benefit your health in the years to come.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to Crunchy Stewardship

00:44 The Cost of an Unhealthy Lifestyle

01:54 Monetary Costs of Chronic Illnesses

10:04 Intangible Costs of Poor Health

14:01 Preventing Chronic Diseases

16:30 Healthy Lifestyle Tips

29:00 Cost-Effective Healthy Living

45:23 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Links mentioned:

• CDC website that shares health expenses https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
• CDC Chronic disease burden https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2015/14_0388.htm#:~:text=Among%20adults%20with%20chronic%20conditions,annual%20total%20expenditures%20(%247%2C116).
• NIH Article https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10830426/

Connect With Us:

Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crunchychristianmama

Follow us on Instagram @crunchystewardship

FREE How to Afford Non-Toxic Living Workbook: https://crunchystewardship.com/how-to-afford-non-toxic-living

In this episode of Crunchy Stewardship, cousins Katie Fiola Jones and Chrissy Rombach discuss their journey into bread making and its surprising health benefits. Chrissy shares her experience with grinding wheat berries and how transitioning to homemade bread has significantly improved her gut health. The conversation expands to the broader topic of whole foods versus processed foods, touching on synthetic vitamins, food intolerances, and the pitfalls of manufactured nutrition. They offer practical tips for listeners to start making their food from scratch and emphasize the importance of intentionality in holistic living. Join their Facebook group, 'Crunchy Christian Mamas on a Budget,' to share recipes and continue the discussion.

Episode Takeaway:

Consider the ingredients in the bread and other processed foods you consume. Could making your own bread with freshly ground, quality wheat be a beneficial step towards better gut health and overall well-being?

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to Crunchy Stewardship

00:58 Our Passion For Bread

02:22 Chrissy's Bread Journey

04:04 The Benefits of Freshly Milled Wheat

08:07 Understanding Wheat & Flour

14:43 Exploring Gluten Free Diets

22:41 Homemade Ice Cream Adventures

25:15 Financial Decisions with Healthy Choices

33:50 Encouragement and Takeaways

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Countertop Wheat Grinder: Countertop Wheat Grinder
• Wheat Berries: Wheat Link
• Wheatland Seed Website
• Whole Wheat Recipe Book: Whole Wheat Recipe Book

Connect With Us:

Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crunchychristianmama

FREE How to Afford Non-Toxic Living Workbook: https://crunchystewardship.com/how-to-afford-non-toxic-living