Crunchy Stewardship

Katie Fiola Jones & Chrissy Rombach

In this podcast we are taking a deep dive into what it means to steward our lives as God originally intended for us with the resources that God has given us. We will look at topics like food, medicine, finances, mental health and lots more through a natural lens with a biblical foundation. 

  1. 4D AGO

    The Pesticide Problem: How Glyphosate Disrupts Your Hormones and Fertility

    Send us a Message! Welcome back to Crunchy Stewardship! As we near the end of our Fertility Series, we are welcoming all our new listeners and tackling a massive topic that affects almost all conventional food in the United States: Pesticides. Specifically, we are zooming in on glyphosate (the main ingredient in Roundup) and how this chemical acts as a major endocrine disruptor. We know the topic of toxic food can feel incredibly heavy, but our goal is to empower you with the knowledge to protect your family's health and fertility without letting anxiety take over. We break down the science of how pesticides act like "fake keys" jamming up your hormone receptors, and why swapping your food choices has a profound generational impact—affecting you, your children, and even your future grandchildren all at once! Because we believe in being wise stewards of our finances just as much as our bodies, we also tackle the big question: How do you actually afford organic food? We share practical strategies for making the grocery budget work, prioritizing the right items, and viewing high-quality food as "health insurance you can eat." In this episode, you'll learn: The Toxic Receipt Rule: Why Chrissy's random revelation will have you saying "no receipt, please" to avoid unnecessary BPA exposure at checkout.The Messianic Seder: A beautiful realization about Jesus being the ultimate sacrificial lamb at the Last Supper.The "Fake Key" Effect: How pesticides jam the cellular "locks" in your endocrine system, scrambling hormones and directly impacting sperm morphology and "swimability."The Generational Blueprint: How traditional ancestral wisdom proves that our nutritional and toxic loads impact three generations at once.The Toxin Bucket: How glyphosate acts as a neurotoxin, crossing the blood-brain barrier to cause brain fog and memory issues.The Dirty Dozen & Clean 15: A breakdown of the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) list so you know exactly which produce to buy organic and which is safe to buy conventional.Health Insurance You Can Eat: How to shift your financial mindset so that funding a higher-quality grocery budget today helps prevent costly medical interventions tomorrow. Resources mentioned: Resource: EWG's Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 - https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/Resource: CDC Live Births Map - https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/state-stats/births/fertility-rate.html Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Crunchy Stewardship 00:33 Fertility Series Updates 03:09 Random Revelation: Why You Shouldn't Touch Store Receipts 08:08 Crunchy Friends and Passover Talk 16:01 Pesticides and Glyphosate Risks 27:34 Birth Rate Map Findings 29:51 How Pesticides Disrupt Fertility 34:49 Egg Signals and Generational Impact 43:17 Neurotoxins and Food Experiments 46:48 Affording Organic and Final Encouragement 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

    1h 3m
  2. APR 24

    The Microplastic Problem: How Plastic Impacts Male and Female Fertility

    Send us a Message! Welcome back to Crunchy Stewardship! In Part 7 of our Fertility Series, we are tackling a toxin that is quite literally everywhere: Microplastics. Have you heard the staggering statistic that the average person consumes a credit card's worth of plastic every single year? It sounds crazy, but when you realize how much of our food, water, and clothing is derived from petroleum-based plastics, it starts to make sense. Today, we are uncovering the sneaky places microplastics are hiding in your home and how this cumulative plastic burden is heavily impacting our endocrine systems, sperm health, and placentas. But don't panic! We are wrapping up this episode with our brand new Crunchy Stewardship motto: "We don't go broke trying to get healthy." We share an incredibly encouraging 12-week study showing how quickly your body can bounce back, plus a list of free and cheap ways to drastically reduce your family's plastic exposure right now. In this episode, you'll learn: Crunchy Updates: Katie’s Random Revelation featuring Dr. Josh Axe’s new holistic Longevity Clinic in Tennessee and a bittersweet Wise Traditions podcast update.Hidden Plastics in Plain Sight: Why you need to look out for chewing gum, bleached tea bags, contact lenses, and even a popular over-the-counter stool softener (MiraLax).The Fertility Connection: How microplastics are reaching the placenta, infiltrating our organs, and what a recent 12-week study revealed about couples cutting out plastic and improving their fertility.Government Action: RFK’s STOMP program to systematically measure microplastics in the body, plus state-level bans on plastic food packaging.The Dust in Your Home: Why taking your shoes off at the door and vacuuming regularly is actually a crucial step to reducing your microplastic load.Budget-Friendly Swaps: How to switch to stainless steel, glass, wood, 100% food-grade silicone, and organic cotton without breaking the bank.Resources mentioned: Clinic: Dr. Josh Axe's Longevity Club and Clinic - https://thelongevityclinic.com/Article: EWG (Environmental Working Group) on Microplastics - https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2023/10/making-meals-without-microplastics-tips-safer-cutting-boards Facebook Post: Microplastic Fertility Study - https://www.facebook.com/share/18VnxyvSsa/Program: STOMP (Systematic Targeting of Microplastics) - https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/arpa-h-launches-groundbreaking-144-million-program-combat-toxic-microplastics-human-body.html Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Crunchy Stewardship 01:08 Random Revelation - Crunchy Influencer Updates 05:55 Microplastics 101 11:20 Hidden Sources of Plastic 16:17 Plastic in Kids Stuff 18:36   Microplastics Found in Every Organ 21:08 Plastic Toy Wins and Fails 24:16 Impacts of Microplastics on Your Health & Fertility 31:22 Measuring Microplastics Program 37:07 State Bans And Tire Dust 40:34 Biblical Perspective on Microplastics 43:39 Simple Switches At Home 57:13 Budget Friendly Stewardship Wrap Up Remember, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). 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

    1 hr
  3. APR 17

    The Cumulative Chemical Burden: Unmasking Fragrance, Parabens, and Phthalates

    Send us a Message! Welcome back to Crunchy Stewardship! In Part 6 of our Fertility Series, we are grabbing our morning coffee (at 8:00 AM!) and diving into the personal care products we use every single day. Did you know the average woman applies 12 personal care products before she even leaves the house? That adds up to a staggering 168 chemicals layered onto your skin daily. Today, we are breaking down the "Cumulative Chemical Burden" and looking at three of the biggest endocrine-disrupting culprits in your bathroom: Phthalates, Parabens, and Fragrance. We explain how these specific toxins mimic estrogen, suppress testosterone, and confuse your reproductive system. But don't panic—our bodies are incredibly resilient! We share how quickly your body can detox from these chemicals once you stop using them, and we give you a budget-friendly, stress-free plan for swapping out your products over time. Plus, Katie makes a hilarious connection between modern food additives and Clark Griswold from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation! In this episode, you'll learn: The Psychology of the "Crunch": Why food engineers design snacks to be loud, and Katie's realization about Clark Griswold's actual job.The Cumulative Burden: Why a single exposure to a chemical isn't the problem, but the daily layering of 168 chemicals is.Phthalates (The Plasticizers): Where they hide (from yoga mats to recycled clothing) and how they impact sperm motility and premature ovarian aging.Parabens (The Preservatives): How these synthetic preservatives mimic estrogen and disrupt the crucial hormone spikes needed for ovulation.The "Fragrance" Loophole: Why the word "fragrance" or "parfum" on a label is actually a legal hiding spot for hundreds of undisclosed chemicals—including phthalates designed to make scents stick to your skin.The Clean Bathroom Challenge: How to audit your bathroom and make budget-friendly, non-toxic swaps only as you run out of your current products.Resources mentioned: App: Switch Natural - https://www.switchnatural.com/switch-natural-appApp/Website: EWG (Environmental Working Group) - https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/App/Website: Bobby Approved - https://www.flavcity.com/bobbyapproved/Book: Feeding You Lies by Vani Hari (The Food Babe) - https://amzn.to/4ccZZ7lChapters: 00:00 Welcome & Early Morning Brain Fog 02:05 Fertility Focus - Pthalates, Parabens, Fragrance 03:23 Random Revelation Crunch Factor 06:48 Cereal Crunch and Kellogg Stories 12:30 Cumulative Chemical Burden 18:18 Fragrance Sensitivity and Mouth Breathing 21:34 What Are Phthalates 23:43 Plastics Clothing and Home Exposure 27:39 How Phthalates Impact Male and Female Fertility 31:41 How to Detox from Phthalates Quickly 36:53 Parabens: The Estrogen Mimicking Preservatives 41:09 Why High Estrogen Disrupts Ovulation & Testosterone 45:31 Fragrance Means Hundreds of Chemicals 49:24 Essential Oils vs Synthetic Fragrances| 59:11 Clean Swap Challenge Remember, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). 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

    1h 2m
  4. APR 10

    How PFAS Impact Your Hormones and Fertility

    Send us a Message! As we continue our Fertility Series, we are shifting our focus to the environmental factors that can throw our bodies out of balance. Today, we are tackling a big one: PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as "forever chemicals." While the topic of environmental toxins can feel overwhelming, we are here to remind you to choose faith over fear. We break down exactly what endocrine disruptors are, how they hijack your natural hormone production (like progesterone and insulin), and where these chemicals are hiding in plain sight. Most importantly, we share practical, budget-friendly, and stress-free ways to start reducing your family’s exposure today to protect your health and the fertility of the next generation. In this episode, you'll learn: The Hospital Food Shift: Why local farm partnerships in Florida hospitals are a massive win for holistic health.Endocrine Disruption 101: How "forever chemicals" confuse your body, mimic hormones, and impact fertility.The Pregnancy Nutrient Drain: Why your placenta will prioritize the baby’s growth at the expense of your own bones and reserves if you aren't nutrient-dense.Where PFAS Hide: The truth about your tap water, to-go coffee cups, microwave popcorn bags, and non-stick pans.The Fire-Resistant Problem: Why your mattresses, carpets, and children’s pajamas are coated in chemicals, and how to properly "off-gas" new furniture.Simple Swaps: Easy ways to transition to stainless steel, cast iron, organic cotton underwear, and clean cosmetics without breaking the bank.Resources mentioned: Water Filters: Berkey Water Filters (Check Facebook Marketplace/eBay for deals!)Cookware Swaps: Lodge Cast Iron & All-CladBlog Post: Katie's Guide to Finding Factory Second Stainless Steel Pans - https://agapeinvests.com/factory-seconds-designer-deals-for-less/ Clean Haircare: Attitude (Always double-check EWG ratings as recipes change!)Clean Cosmetics: Primally Pure & Adele Natural CosmeticsPrevious Episode: The History of PFAS & Forever Chemicals - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2467060/episodes/17596505 Chapters: 00:00 Fertility Series and PFAS Preview 02:39 Random Revelation Hospital Food 04:18 Florida Hospital Nutrition Shift 11:48 PFAS Explained Endocrine Disruption 14:12 Hormones and Fertility Connections 17:01 Katie Progesterone Story 21:11 Pregnancy Hormone Rollercoaster 23:57 Placenta Nutrient Priorities 27:41 Where PFAS Hide 29:08 PFAS in Drinking Water| 33:25 Landfills Contaminate Soil 35:12 Mindset Over Fear 35:58 Cookware Swaps 39:51 Food Packaging Fixes 44:50 Foam Flame Resistant 48:33 Furniture, Mattresses, Carpets, Clothes 50:02 Off-gassing Tips 53:49 Pesticides 54:52 Personal Care Products  59:32 Protecting the Next Generation Remember, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). 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

    1h 3m
  5. APR 3

    Fertility Nutrition: A Food Guide for Pre-Conception & Pregnancy

    Send us a Message! In Part 4 of our Fertility Series, we are shifting our focus to what is arguably the most impactful aspect of your overall health and fertility: Nutrition. Chrissy kicks things off with a fascinating look into Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), explaining how our physical organs are deeply connected to our emotions. We also have an honest conversation about navigating holistic practices like TCM and muscle testing as Christians. Then, we dig deep into the ancestral wisdom of Dr. Weston A. Price. If you want to prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy—or if you are just looking to heal your body from the inside out—this episode is your ultimate guide to the "Fertility Diet." We break down the generational impact of our modern diets and the specific, nutrient-dense superfoods our ancestors used to build strong, healthy babies. In this episode, you'll learn: The Emotion-Organ Connection: A look at TCM, and how our bodies physically manifest emotions like anger, grief, and fear.The "Church Snack" Dilemma: Katie’s honest struggle with the processed foods we feed our kids and how to balance holistic health with grace and budget.The Pre-Conception "Big 3": Why Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Vitamin K2/Activator X are absolutely essential for fertility, hormone production, and preventing birth defects.The Generational Diet: Why crooked teeth and narrow jaws are actually a sign of inherited nutritional deficiencies, not just genetics!Fertility Superfoods: The science behind why we should all be consuming cod liver oil, high-vitamin butter, pasture-raised egg yolks, and organ meats (and how to hide them in your food!).Resources mentioned: Book: Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Weston A. Price - https://amzn.to/4bZJXfK Resource: Weston A Price Foundation 11 Dietary Principles - https://www.westonaprice.org/11-principles-overview/ Product: Pluck Organ Meat Seasoning - https://amzn.to/4bZJXfK Product: High-Vitamin Cod Liver Oil (WAPF Recommended) - https://www.westonaprice.org/cod-liver-oil Product: Thousand Hills Renegade Blend https://thousandhillslifetimegrazed.com/products/grass-fed-renegade-blend-ground-beef-with-organs Chapters: 00:00 Fertility Series Roadmap 01:39 Why Nutrition Matters Most for Fertility 02:57 Random Revelation - TCM and the Emotion-Organ Connection 11:12 Christian Discernment for Eastern Medicines 21:36 The "Church Snack" Dilemma 26:48 The "Big 3" Pre-Conception Vitamins 27:56 Vitamin A - The Architect 28:53 Vitamin D - The Pro-Hormone 30:15 Vitamin K2 - Activator X 35:07 Vitamin A Deficiencies 37:25 The Nutrient Chain & Eating for "Bodybuilding" 43:27 Vitamin D Deficiencies And Dental Health 46:39 Refined Foods Change Generations 53:36 Fertility Superfoods List 01:01:32 Prenatal Supplements 01:04:49 Budgeting Health Remember, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for t 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

    1h 10m
  6. MAR 27

    Understanding Male Fertility and Declining Birth Rates

    Send us a Message! Welcome back to Crunchy Stewardship! In Part 3 of our Fertility Series, we are shifting the spotlight to a topic that is often completely overlooked in the infertility conversation: the guys! While women often carry the heavy burden of fertility tracking and testing, men play an equally crucial role—not just in conception, but in the health of the pregnancy itself. Chrissy brings us another fascinating anatomy lesson, explaining the miraculous 90-day lifecycle of a sperm cell and how it is perfectly designed by God to survive. Then, Katie uncovers a shocking truth about sperm morphology, comparing Weston A. Price's fertility standards from the 1930s to the shockingly low standards of modern medicine today. We wrap up the episode by looking at the staggering statistics behind the global decline in birth rates, and why holistic health might be the key to turning the tide. In this episode, you'll learn: Banned Foods: Why American staples like Kraft Mac & Cheese and Ritz Crackers are restricted or banned in Europe (and what they do to your body).The 90-Day Cycle: Why a man's diet, stress, and lifestyle choices today actively impact his fertility three months from now.The Miracle of Semen: How the male body perfectly formulates fluids to neutralize the acidic female environment and nourish the sperm.Morphology Madness: How "normal" sperm abnormality rates went from under 20% in the 1930s to a whopping 96% today.The Postpartum Connection: How the quality of the sperm at conception can actually impact the mother's morning sickness, risk of hemorrhage, and postpartum depression.The Population Crisis: A deep dive into why U.S. and global birth rates have plummeted to historic lows and what it means for the next generation.Resources mentioned: Book: Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Weston A. Price - https://amzn.to/4bzucfi Previous Episode: Fertility Series Part 1: Wrestling with God in the Waiting - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2467060/episodes/18826546 Previous Episode: Fertility Series Part 2: Female Fertility 101 - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2467060/episodes/18863856 Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Part 3 of the Fertility Series 01:31 Random Revelation - Foods Banned In Other Countries 06:54 Male Anatomy 101: Testes, Puberty, and Sperm Creation 12:44 The Semen Secret: Surviving the Female Environment 15:44 The 90-Day Sperm Renewal Cycle 17:35 Sperm Morphology: 1930s Standards vs. Today 30:21 How Sperm Quality Impacts Pregnancy & Postpartum 33:17 The Crisis of Declining Birth Rates & the "Replacement Rate" 42:42 Food's Impact on Health & Fertility 48:14 What We Are Covering Next: Improving Fertility Remember, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). 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

    52 min
  7. MAR 20

    Female Fertility 101: Understanding Estrogen, Progesterone, and Ovulation

    Send us a Message! Welcome back to Crunchy Stewardship! In Part 2 of our Fertility Series, we are shifting from our personal testimonies into a full masterclass on the female reproductive system. Chrissy puts her nursing hat on to break down the miraculous, intricate design of a woman's monthly cycle in a way that is easy to understand. Whether you are currently trying to conceive, planning for the future, or just want to understand why your motivation tanks at certain times of the month, this episode is packed with "aha!" moments. We explore the biological miracle of conception, dive into the different ways to track your cycles at home, and discuss why managing your stress is one of the most important things you can do for your fertility. In this episode, you'll learn: The Anatomy of a Cycle: What is actually happening in your body during the follicular and luteal phases.The Hormone Rollercoaster: Why your energy and motivation peak before ovulation and crash right after.The Miracle of Conception: The fascinating, obstacle-filled journey sperm takes to fertilize an egg.The Cortisol Connection: How stress directly opposes progesterone, and why creating a feeling of "safety" in your body is crucial for conception.How to Track: A breakdown of Basal Body Temperature (BBT) tracking, LH strips, and advanced hormone monitors like Inito.The Power of Visualization: How Katie used the Christian Hypnobirthing app and visualization to find peace during her pregnancy and hospital stay with Malakai.Resources mentioned: App / Monitor: Inito Fertility Monitor - https://www.inito.com/ App: Christian Hypnobirthing App - https://www.christianhypnobirthing.com/ Previous Episode: Fertility Series Part 1: Wrestling with God in the Waiting - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2467060/episodes/18826546 Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Part 2 of the Fertility Series 03:58 Random Revelation: An Anatomy Class Fun Fact 07:53 The Menstrual Cycle: Follicular vs. Luteal Phase 09:53 Growing the Next Generation in the Next Generation 13:04 Hormones & Mood: Why Your Energy Fluctuates 25:30 How Cortisol (Stress) Disrupts Your Fertility 31:44 The Power of Visualization and Mindset 35:51 Katie's Hypnobirthing Experience 41:40 The Biological Miracle of Conception 48:51 Methods for Tracking: BBT, Ovulation Strips, and Inito 01:00:00 The Stresses of Having Too Much Data Remember, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). 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

    1h 8m
  8. MAR 13

    From Birth Control to Broken Plans: The Heartbreak and Hope of Infertility

    Send us a Message! Welcome back to Crunchy Stewardship. Today, we are stepping away from our usual lighthearted banter to share something deeply personal. This episode kicks off our brand new, multi-part series on Fertility. But before we get into the science, hormone tracking, and holistic health in future episodes, we knew we had to start with the posture of our own hearts. In this incredibly raw and vulnerable episode, Chrissy and Katie open up about their personal fertility journeys. They share the unseen heartbreak of waiting, the frustration of unexplained symptoms, and what it looks like to wrestle with God when your deepest desires are met with silence. From navigating PCOS and naturopathic healing to surviving sepsis and making life-altering medical decisions, this episode is a testament to the fact that even in our darkest wilderness, God is still good. In this deeply personal episode, we share: A Genesis Revelation: A beautiful realization about the creation story, and how God provided light before He ever created the sun.Chrissy’s Journey: The frustrating aftermath of hormonal birth control, discovering insulin resistance and PCOS, and finding hope (and healing) through a naturopath and Maca root.Katie’s 40-Month Wilderness: The pain of unexplained infertility, battling depression and anger, and ultimately finding peace in surrendering the dream of biological children.Malakai’s Miraculous Birth: The traumatic reality of contracting sepsis, the ECMO machine that saved Malachi's life, and Katie's heartbreaking decision to have a life-saving hysterectomy.The Ultimate Sacrifice: How the story of Abraham and Isaac, along with our own earthly trials, give us a humbling glimpse into the agonizing sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross.Resources mentioned: Book: The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross (A wonderful Easter book for kids!) - https://amzn.to/4lqsi5e Supplement: Maca Root (Used by Chrissy for PCOS/Hormone balancing) Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Crunchy Stewardship 00:53 Random Revelation: The Light Before the Sun 09:53 Fertility Journey Kick Off 12:49 Chrissy's Fertility Journey 20:34 Katie's Fertility Journey 40:32 Malakai's Birth Story 44:54 Future Fertility for Katie 46:35 Finding Reconcilliation in the Journey 49:36 God Uses Infertility to Strengthen Our Faith 56:15 God Is With Us in the Journey Remember, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). 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

    1h 6m

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

In this podcast we are taking a deep dive into what it means to steward our lives as God originally intended for us with the resources that God has given us. We will look at topics like food, medicine, finances, mental health and lots more through a natural lens with a biblical foundation. 

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