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Welcome back to Crunchy Stewardship! First of all, please forgive us for missing last week's episode—life got a little busy, but we are back and continuing our chronic disease series! Today, we are shifting our focus to the body’s ultimate, God-given filtration system: the liver and the kidneys.
Before we dive into the "Detox Duo," Katie shares a few herbal tea remedies she is using to fight off a seasonal cold (hello, rose hips and echinacea!), plus a very raw Crunchy Confession about a recent UTI and why she chose to take an antibiotic.
Then, we break down how the liver and kidneys actually work. Did you know the liver is the only organ that can completely regenerate itself? We discuss how the modern American diet—specifically high fructose corn syrup and refined sugar—is driving the rise of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Chronic Kidney Disease. We also tackle a highly controversial topic in the medical world right now: over-the-counter painkillers. We unpack the recent studies linking Tylenol (acetaminophen) to liver toxicity and neurological issues, and why popping Advil (ibuprofen) is incredibly damaging to your kidneys.
Finally, we share actionable, budget-friendly ways to open up your detox pathways and support these vital organs naturally!
In this episode, you'll learn:
Resources mentioned:
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome Back & Apologies for Missing Last Week!
02:15 Herbal Teas for Cold Season & Azure Standard Bulk Herbs
06:30 Katie’s Crunchy Confession: UTIs, Marshmallow Root, and Antibiotics
11:00 How the Liver & Kidneys Filter Toxins (and Regenerate!)
15:45 Root Causes of NAFLD and CKD: Sugar and High Blood Pressure
18:30 The Truth About Tylenol, Liver Damage, and Autism Research
25:15 Why Advil and NSAIDs Destroy the Kidneys
29:40 The Surprising Liver Benefits of Water-Processed Decaf Coffee
37:30 Natural Remedies: Bitter Greens, Mineral Salt, Nettle Tea, and Sweating
41:15 Wrapping Up: Supporting Your Body for the Glory of God
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
Send us a Message!
Welcome back to Crunchy Stewardship! This week, we are continuing our chronic disease series by tackling the "Pediatric Triad" - eczema, allergies, and asthma. While conventional medicine often treats these as three totally separate issues, they actually share the exact same root cause: an immune system in overdrive, usually stemming from a compromised gut.
Before we dive into the pediatric triad, Katie kicks off the episode with a wild Random Revelation about lead-based paint, EMFs, and a fascinating telecom conspiracy theory! Then, we break down exactly what "leaky gut" is using a simple cheesecloth analogy, and we discuss the everyday toxins—like glyphosate, antibiotics, and artificial dyes—that are ripping holes in our families' gut barriers.
Katie and Chrissy also swap some hilarious (and painful!) Crunchy Confessions about what happens when you overload your system with sugar. Let’s just say Katie’s caramel apple binge led to a dramatic night on the cold bathroom floor! Finally, we share practical, budget-friendly ways to heal the body from the inside out and soothe those uncomfortable symptoms naturally.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Resources mentioned:
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome & Introduction to the Chronic Disease Series
02:15 Random Revelation: The Lead-Based Paint & EMF Conspiracy
08:30 What is the Pediatric Triad? (Eczema, Allergies, and Asthma)
11:45 The "Cheesecloth" Analogy: Understanding Leaky Gut
13:30 Glyphosate Exposure & The Problem with Conventional Wheat
21:20 Crunchy Confessions: Katie’s Caramel Apple Disaster
30:15 Reversing the Triad: Gut-Healing Foods & Raw Dairy
34:00 Ditching Toxins: Fragrance, Laundry Detergent, and Air Fresheners
37:10 Eczema Relief: Ditching Aquaphor for Tallow & Breast Milk Baths
40:30 Allergy Relief: Local Honey, Nettle Tea, and Acupuncture
43:15 Wrapping Up: Praying Over Your Family’s Health 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
Send us a Message!
In this first episode of Crunchy Stewardship’s chronic conditions series, the hosts introduce the “adult triad” of hypertension, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), and type 2 diabetes, noting these diagnoses often appear together. Chrissy shares a revelation about how quickly the body regenerates cells and organs (including skin, liver, intestinal lining, bone tissue, and red blood cells) and connects healing to creating a supportive environment through diet and lifestyle. They explain the pathophysiology of the triad as a cycle driven by inflammation, cholesterol buildup, narrowed vessels raising blood pressure, and insulin resistance raising blood sugar and inflammation, and they discuss common medication approaches. They emphasize prevention and reversibility through reducing inflammatory foods and toxins, especially sugar, processed foods, and certain seed oils, and close with James 5:16 on spiritual and relational aspects of healing.
00:00 Welcome and Series Intro
01:01 Adult Triad Overview
02:08 Cell Regeneration Wonder
05:17 Skin and Gut Turnover
09:27 Healing and Food Building Blocks
12:45 Epigenetics and Toxin Exposure
15:23 Fertility Drugs and Risks
22:03 Back to Adult Triad
22:52 Cholesterol and Inflammation
25:19 Blood Pressure Explained
28:52 Type 2 Diabetes Basics
32:25 Cycle and Medication Mindset
34:08 Reversing the Adult Triad
36:18 Cholesterol Police Analogy
38:47 Food Pyramid Fallout
43:55 Processed Food Nostalgia
45:41 Small Changes vs Cold Turkey
49:32 Packaged Foods to Avoid
51:55 Hidden Sugars Explained
54:16 Seed Oils and Processing
59:44 Dyes EMFs and Stressors
01:03:16 Healing Wrap Up Scripture
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
Send us a Message!
Chrissy Rombach and Katie Fiola Jones introduce Crunchy Stewardship and kick off a new series on chronic disease—what it is, where it comes from, and how to prevent and treat it through both conventional and natural approaches. Katie shares a “random revelation” from a pelvic-floor fitness program: a full urine void is about eight seconds, and consistently shorter voids, pushing to pee, or incontinence can signal pelvic floor issues; they also note links to conditions like kidney disease and spinal problems. They list common chronic diseases and discuss prevalence statistics, emphasizing that many adults have multiple conditions. They critique time-limited, insurance-driven healthcare that often manages symptoms with medications rather than addressing root causes and lifestyle change, while acknowledging genetics and epigenetics. They share personal examples of potentially reversible issues improved through sleep and diet changes, and invite listeners to their Facebook group.
00:00 Welcome to Crunchy Stewardship
00:45 New Chronic Disease Series
01:46 Katie Workout Reset
06:08 Pelvic Floor Pee Fact
12:03 Transition to Chronic Disease
13:12 Triads and Common Patterns
15:32 Listing Chronic Diseases
20:16 How Common Are They
21:58 Medication Management Trap
27:26 Why Doctors Lack Time
29:58 Lifestyle Change and Buy In
34:05 Placebo and Homeopathy Tease
34:26 Crunchy AI Searches
36:05 Homeopathy Placebo Debate
38:45 Water Coffee Headaches
40:22 Chronic Disease Rise
43:05 Genetics Epigenetics
49:21 Faith Plus Hard Work
54:23 Reversing IBS Headaches
58:20 PCOS Metabolic Lens
01:00:56 Nail Health And Toxins
01:05:44 Next Episodes Wrap Up
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
Send us a Message!
Following up on our recent conversations about avoiding fear and health idolatry, we are shifting gears to talk about the ultimate antidote to our exhausting, 24/7 hustle culture: the spiritual discipline of the Sabbath.
Before we dive into biblical rest, Katie shares a vulnerable update on Day 14 of her cold-turkey coffee detox. We discuss the intense reality of physical withdrawals and the spiritual conviction that comes when we realize we are using something—whether it is coffee, a smartphone, or a busy schedule—as a crutch instead of relying on the Lord. Chrissy brings our Random Revelation with a fascinating timeline fact about when the Apostle Paul's letters were written compared to the Gospels, complete with the slightly comical story of Eutychus falling out a window in Acts 20!
For our main topic, we unpack the history of the Sabbath, looking at why God commanded rest for the Israelites in both Exodus and Deuteronomy. We talk about the modern epidemic of "hurry sickness" and how rushing through our daily tasks (like the grocery store!) actually steals our capacity to love our neighbors well. Using the parable of the Good Samaritan, we explore how creating margin in our days and intentionally putting down our phones allows us to truly be the hands and feet of Jesus.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Resources mentioned:
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome & Katie’s Day 14 Coffee Detox Update
05:15 Random Revelation: The Gospels, Paul’s Letters, and Acts
20 12:30 Did Paul Actually Rest on the Sabbath?
16:45 The Biblical History of the Sabbath (Exodus vs. Deuteronomy)
21:30 "Hurry Sickness" and Rushing Through the Grocery Store
28:45 The Good Samaritan: How Margin Allows Us to Love Others
33:10 What Real Sabbath Looks Like in Different Seasons of Life
39:20 Deleting Instagram, Phone Addictions, & Creating Daily Margin
45:15 Preparing for Rest & Avoiding Legalism 49:00 Wrapping 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
Send us a Message!
Welcome back to Crunchy Stewardship! Last week we talked about how to keep health and wellness from becoming an idol. This week, we are tackling the other side of the spectrum: how to avoid paralyzing fear when you start going down the crunchy rabbit hole. It is so easy to feel like everything in the modern world is toxic and out to get you, but we are here to remind you that God is still entirely in control!
Before we dive into the heavy stuff, Katie drops a major bombshell for her Random Revelation: she is attempting a one-month coffee detox! She shares her raw experience with cold-turkey caffeine withdrawals, the science behind why caffeine masks our true energy levels, and the natural remedies (hello, Belladonna and raw chocolate milk!) she is using to survive.
Then, we discuss how to handle "toxic overload" without falling into the trap of "ignorance is bliss." We share how to surrender our health anxieties to the Lord, why you should absolutely not throw away your entire pantry in one day, and how to focus on the good changes you are making. We also share some hilarious "Crunchy Confessions"—from Chrissy accidentally buying a 95% polyester pregnancy pillow to Katie scoring a bulk deal on neon-orange, artificially fragranced razors.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome & Continuing Last Week's Conversation
01:30 Random Revelation: Katie’s Coffee Detox & Withdrawals
10:15 The Science of Caffeine & Energy Reserves
17:30 Sugar, Heartburn, and Pregnancy Cravings
23:15 Combating Fear and "Toxic Overload"
26:45 "Has it ever occurred to you that nothing has ever occurred to God?"
32:00 Avoiding Analysis Paralysis & Finding a Holistic Dentist
38:45 Crunchy Confessions: Polyester Pillows & Neon Razors
45:00 Your Next Step: Focus on One Swap This Week
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
Send us a Message!
In this episode of Crunchy Stewardship, the hosts discuss how easy it is to let health and “crunchy” living shift from good stewardship into idolatry, especially when fear, anxiety, judgment of others, or rigid control replaces peace in Christ. Chrissy shares a “random revelation” about how birthing positions shifted historically from upright to lying on the back, including a popular legend involving King Louis XIV and the convenience it created for doctors. They offer practical ways to assess whether wellness has become an idol—what you spend your time and money on, whether it produces fruits of the Spirit, and how you respond when plans are disrupted or you’re offered processed food. They encourage grace, gratitude, and prayerful surrender, emphasizing that bodily training has value, but godliness matters more (1 Timothy 4:8).
00:00 Morning Check In
01:12 Avoiding Wellness Idols
02:54 Birthing Positions History
07:46 Priority Versus Idolatry
13:32 Fear Replaces Peace
18:12 Stewardship In Real Life
25:06 Conspiracies And Control
30:10 Money Time And Fruit
38:39 Grace With Kids Food
49:03 Scripture And Send Off
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
Send us a Message!
Welcome back to Crunchy Stewardship! This week, we are tackling a massive topic in today's culture: mental health. While modern society places a huge emphasis on therapy, feelings, and empathy, we wanted to take a step back and look at what the Bible actually says about walking through seasons of intense anxiety and depression.
Before we dive into scripture, Katie shares a Random Revelation from the book The Anxious Generation. We discuss the eye-opening research connecting childhood screen time to rising anxiety rates, the recommended technology boundaries for kids, and how we implement digital boundaries (like keeping a "dumb TV" in the basement) to protect our own mental peace as adults.
Then, we turn to the Word. We look at three major biblical figures—Elijah, David, and Job—who all experienced distress so deep they pleaded with God to let them die. We break down how they lamented, how God responded (sometimes with the simple, profound advice to eat a snack and take a nap!), and how we can apply their resilience to our modern struggles. We also discuss where modern secular therapy often misses the mark—like why practicing "gratitude" doesn't actually work unless you have a Creator to thank.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Resources mentioned:
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome & Introduction to Biblical Mental Health
02:30 Random Revelation: The Anxious Generation & Screen Time Rules
11:15 Dumb TVs, Social Media Boundaries, & Breaking Tech Addictions
22:20 Elijah: The Spiritual Power of a Snack and a Nap
26:45 David: Lamenting, Confession, and Pouring Out Your Heart
30:15 Job: Navigating Unimaginable Loss and Trusting God’s Sovereignty
35:00 "Bad Therapy," Toxic Empathy, and the Need for Resilience
44:30 Why Secular Gratitude Misses the Mark (Plus Chrissy's Coworker Story)
52:00 Wrapping Up: Casting Your Burdens on Jesus
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
Send us a Message!
Welcome back to Crunchy Stewardship! This week, we are taking a trip back in time to look at the wild, ever-changing history of the United States dietary guidelines, but first, we have to talk about a major development happening in grocery stores right now.
Chrissy kicks off the episode with a Random Revelation about lab-grown meat officially hitting the shelves at a major health food store. We break down the sneaky FDA-approved buzzwords (like "cultivated" and "cell-based") that companies are using to label this fake meat, and why we are choosing to vote with our dollars by sticking to local farmers and real, God-given food.
Then, Katie walks us through the timeline of the US government's nutrition advice. From the 1894 farmer's bulletins (when butter had its own food group!) to the carb-heavy 1992 Food Guide Pyramid that told an entire generation to eat 11 servings of grains a day, it is eye-opening to see how dramatically the "rules" have changed. Finally, we cut through the confusion of modern diet advice by breaking down the 11 Principles of the Weston A. Price Foundation—the ancestral guidelines we actually use to feed our families today.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Resources mentioned:
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome, Early Mornings, & Toddler Singing 01:45 Random Revelation: Lab-Grown Meat Hits Grocery Stores 08:20 Climate Alarmism & Reading Opposing Viewpoints 14:10 The History of the US Dietary Guidelines (1894 to Today) 25:30 The 1992 Food Pyramid & The Cereal Deception 31:15 Crunchy Confessions: Raw Milk Chunks & Mozzarella Fails 35:40 Breaking Down the 11 Principles of Weston A. Price 44:15 Wrapping Up & How to Connect With Us
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
Send us a Message!
Welcome back to Crunchy Stewardship! This week, we are diving into our highly anticipated review of The Biblio Diet by Dr. Josh Axe and Jordan Rubin. If you have ever wondered how to use the Bible as an "owner's manual" for your health, this is the episode for you!
Before we jump into the book, Katie kicks things off with a fascinating Random Revelation about the toxic, heavy-metal origins of the phrase "Mad as a Hatter," and gives us a quick update on her Earthley parasite cleanse. Then, we break down the core principles of The Biblio Diet, exploring the incredible healing testimonies of the authors and the biblical case for using food as medicine. We talk about everything from the nutritional powerhouse of ancient, fresh-milled grains to the surprising health benefits of eating your strawberry leaves!
We also get incredibly real with some "Crunchy Confessions." From pregnancy cravings for Lucky Charms to devouring nostalgic chocolate chip cookies at our parents' houses, we are here to remind you that nobody is perfect. The crunchy journey is all about grace over guilt, relying on the Lord's new mercies every morning, and remembering that true health involves stewarding our minds and hearts through forgiveness just as much as it involves eating well.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Resources mentioned:
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome, Early Mornings, & Toddler Wake-Up Calls
02:15 Random Revelation: The Toxic Origins of the "Mad Hatter"
07:10 Katie’s Parasite Cleanse Update
11:30 The Biblio Diet Review: Healing Stories from Josh Axe & Jordan Rubin
17:45 Eating the Leaves: Biblical Fruit and Strawberry Tops
21:30 The Bread of Life: Ancient Grains & Fresh-Milled Wheat
25:15 Crunchy Confessions: Pregnancy Cravings & Nostalgic Cookies
32:00 Grace Over Guilt: New Mercies & The "YALF" Mindset
36:45 Exercise, Forgiveness, and Mindset Medicine
42:00 The Biblio Meal Plan & Wrapping 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
From the publisher's feed
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,…