Crunchy Stewardship

Send us a Message!

In this episode of Crunchy Stewardship, cousins Katie Fiola Jones and Chrissy Rombach dive into the topic of sugar and its significant impact on health. We discuss how sugar is the enemy to our health due to its addictive nature and its role in various chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and even cognitive diseases like Alzheimer's. They highlight how sugar is pervasive in modern diets and the importance of avoiding it at all costs, especially for children. This episode explores alternative natural sweeteners such as honey, monk fruit, and maple syrup, and coconut palm sugar which have a lower glycemic index, making them healthier options.

Chapters: 

00:00 Welcome to Crunchy Stewardship

01:05 Introduction to Today's Topic: Sugar

01:39 The Spiritual and Physical Dangers of Sugar

03:42 Sugar in Everyday Foods

09:14 Health Impacts of Sugar

36:13 Alternatives to Sugar

45:59 Final Thoughts and Sign Off

Links and Resources Mentioned:

Books:

• Nourishing Traditions (Katie's "crunchy bible"): https://amzn.to/3J6nuD2 
• The Home Reference to Holistic Health and Healing: https://amzn.to/3J5XrM2b

Natural Sweeteners:

• Honey
• Maple syrup
• Coconut palm sugar (the organic brand Katie uses): https://amzn.to/455yiK3 
• Monk fruit sweetener
• Lakanto powdered monk fruit sweetener

Other Food Products:

• Dutch processed cocoa powder: https://amzn.to/3HnXYZd

Recipes:

• Katie's favorite homemade ice cream recipe: https://blog.crunchystewardship.com/post/naturally-sweetened-homemade-ice-cream
• Max's high protein chocolate ice cream recipe (protein powder, raw cocoa powder, heavy whipping cream, honey)

Additional Resources 

• Bible Recap study plan: https://amzn.to/3HqcRu5

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, cousins Chrissy Rombach and Katie Fiola Jones dive into the topic of non-toxic and safe cookware to promote overall health and wellness. They discuss the potential hazards of common materials such as non-stick coatings, plastics, and aluminum, highlighting the importance of making informed choices about what we use in our kitchens. They recommend alternatives like stainless steel, cast iron, glass, and ceramic, while also providing the best tips for finding affordable options.. Join the conversation about how to make your kitchen healthier without breaking the bank by logging onto their Facebook Group, Crunchy Christian Mamas on a Budget!

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to Crunchy Stewardship
00:41 Support and Subscribe
02:31 Introduction to Cookware
03:10 The Dangers of Non-Stick Cookware
12:09 Plastic in the Kitchen
17:09 Aluminum and Other Harmful Materials
20:22 Silicone and Stainless Steel
23:21 Choosing the Best Cookware
25:58 Recommended Cookware Brands
28:20 Cast Iron Cookware
29:41 Exploring Cast Iron Cookware
31:15 Stainless Steel vs. Cast Iron
33:23 Ceramic Cookware: Pros and Cons
37:27 The Versatility of Dutch Ovens
39:18 Non-Toxic Kitchen Materials
46:57 Affordable Cookware Shopping Tips


Links Mentioned

• Katie's Raw Milk Experience - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNxSwwyJKsU
• Blog: Find Factory Seconds - https://agapeinvests.com/factory-seconds-designer-deals-for-less/ 
• Katie’s Moving Videos  - https://www.youtube.com/@KatieFiolaJones 
• Dark Waters Movie - https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B081FJP1YN/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r
• How to Cook on Stainless Steel Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5XcN3AyITY

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!

Join Katie Fiola Jones and Chrissy Rombach on the latest episode of Crunchy Stewardship as they discuss the journey of finding local organic produce and meats. Learn about the benefits of sourcing your food from local farmers, how to vet your sources, and why shopping at farmer's markets can be both cost-effective and nutritionally superior. Tune in for practical tips, personal stories, and a deep dive into the value of supporting your local community, all while honoring God through stewarding your health. Don't forget to subscribe and join our Facebook group, Crunchy Christian Mamas on a Budget, for more tips and resources.

Key Takeaway: To truly nourish your body as God intended,  seek out and support local farmers who passionately grow and raise food with integrity, bringing you the freshest, most nutrient-dense options available.

Chapters: 

00:00 Welcome to Crunchy Stewardship

01:00 Introduction to Today's Episode

01:47 Challenges of Finding Organic Food

02:20 Finding Local Farmers and Produce

06:36 Vetting Your Local Farmers

09:22 The Benefits of Raw Milk

33:53 Community and Support in Healthy Living

46:29 Closing Thoughts and Community Engagement

Links from the episode: 

• localharvest.org 
• fromthefarm.org
• farmmatch.com
• For local honey: localhoneyfinder.org
• For raw milk: realmilk.com and getrawmilk.com

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, cousins Chrissy Rombach and Katie Fiola Jones delve into the practicalities of gardening, emphasizing cost-effective methods to cultivate your own produce. They share their personal gardening experiences and discuss how the journey to healthier, organic food can often start with an expensive switch at the store but can become more affordable by growing your own. Chrissy and Katie offer valuable tips on utilizing resources like Facebook Marketplace, seed swaps, and library seed banks to keep initial gardening costs low. They also discuss the importance of nutrient-rich soil, hydroponics, and methods to maintain a garden on a budget. The episode is full of practical advice aimed at helping individuals and families make healthier food choices without breaking the bank, all while honoring God through stewardship of their resources.

Key Takeaway

Gardening is a powerful way to secure organic, nutrient-dense food and save money. While there are initial costs, resourceful approaches like using Facebook Marketplace for supplies, joining seed swaps, and exploring library seed programs can make it affordable. Cultivating your own produce is a rewarding act of stewardship, providing both wholesome food and financial benefits. 

Links:

Seed Time: https://seedtime.us/

GrowIt: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.growit.ai&hl=en_US

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

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, cousins Katie Jones and Chrissy Rombach explore the significance of Vitamin D and sun exposure for overall health. They detail the synthesis of Vitamin D in the body and discuss the importance of cholesterol in this process. The hosts also focus on the pros and cons of sunscreen usage, the types of sunscreens to choose for minimal toxicity, and the controversial topic of sunglasses potentially causing more sunburn. They emphasize the interconnectedness of diet, sun exposure, and health, and caution against over-reliance on supplements. Throughout the discussion, they highlight practical steps for maintaining optimal Vitamin D levels and safe sun practices. They also share product recommendations and invite listeners to join their Facebook group, ‘Crunchy Christian Mamas on a Budget,’ for further discussion.

Links: 

• Nordic Naturals Arctic Cod Liver Oil: https://amzn.to/3IjPrXl 
• DMinder app: https://dminder.ontometrics.com/ 
• EWG Sunscreen page: https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/ 
• Babyganics: https://amzn.to/4ljvPRN 
• BABO sunscreen:https://amzn.to/4kuEdN6 
• BABO daily face cream: https://amzn.to/40apShD 
• BABO daily face stick: https://amzn.to/3U3GP9R 
• Bobby approved app: https://www.flavcity.com/bobbyapproved/ 
• Sun Bum: https://amzn.to/3IkTMtu 
• Neutrogena mineral sunscreen: https://amzn.to/4lFIuyV

Chapters: 

00:00 Welcome to Crunchy Stewardship

01:03 Introduction to Today's Topic: Sun Health

01:28 The Science Behind Vitamin D Synthesis

07:46 Vitamin D and Skin Complexion

11:34 Maximizing Vitamin D Intake

20:24 The Importance of Non-Toxic Sunscreens

24:46 Choosing the Right Sunscreen

29:02 Sunscreen Ingredients to Avoid

39:42 The Sunglasses Debate

44:13 Conclusion and Community Engagement

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

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, host Chrissy Roach interviews dietician Abby Coggins. They discuss integrating Christian faith with nutrition, focusing on how to honor God through food choices and physical health. Abby shares her journey from culinary school to becoming a dietician and explains how her faith guided her career choices. The conversation covers practical advice on meal planning, overcoming unhealthy relationships with food, understanding fad diets, and the role of supplements. Abby emphasizes the importance of gratitude and stewardship in improving health. 

Episode Takeaway: 

In this episode, featuring Chrissy Rombach interviews dietician, Abby Coggins, who underscores that true stewardship encompasses our entire well-being—spiritual, mental, emotional, financial, and physical—all guided by biblical principles. Abby Coggins emphasizes that honoring God through nutrition means viewing food as a form of stewardship, making conscious and balanced choices, and prioritizing nourishment over fad diets or emotional eating. By taking care of our physical health, we are better able to serve God and our communities.

Chapters
00:00 Welcome to Crunchy Stewardship
00:59 Introduction to Today's Episode
01:17 Meet Abby Coggins: Dietician and Faith Journey
04:54 Honoring God Through Nutrition
06:30 Scriptural Guidance on Nutrition
07:52 Overcoming Unhealthy Relationships with Food
10:21 Understanding Fad Diets
11:46 Healthy Habits for Busy Families
17:21 Emotions, Stress, and Eating Habits
20:40 Considerations for Fasting and Intermittent Fasting
23:50 Advice for Overwhelmed Eaters
26:28 The Role of Supplements in a Healthy Diet
28:34 Choosing the Right Supplements
33:22 Early Christians and Nourishment
38:07 Final Thoughts and Getting Involved

Links: 

Nutrition Counseling with Abby Coggins: https://provider.faynutrition.com/book/abby-coggins/224722

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

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, hosts and cousins Katie Fiola Jones and Chrissy Rombach explore alternatives to traditional health insurance, including Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) and Crowd Health. They discuss the financial benefits, differences in coverage, and their personal experiences with these health cost-sharing mechanisms. Katie shares her positive experiences with CHM and her considerations about switching to Crowd Health, while Chrissy weighs the pros and cons of leaving traditional health insurance. The episode provides a detailed comparison of costs, how each model handles expenses, and their alignment with Christian values. They also touch on topics like direct primary care, the implications of IVF, and the importance of making informed, prayerful decisions about health care. The hosts encourage listeners to subscribe, leave reviews, and join their Facebook group for continued discussion and support.

Episode Takeaway:

This Crunchy Stewardship episode highlights a significant shift in healthcare, moving beyond traditional insurance to health cost-sharing ministries and even crowdsourcing platforms like Crowd Health. These alternatives are presented as potentially more affordable and values-aligned options, particularly for those seeking faith-based principles in their healthcare decisions. The discussion emphasizes their focus on major medical events while encouraging members to take a more active and informed role in managing their routine and preventative health costs, fostering a greater sense of personal stewardship over one's well-being.

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to Crunchy Stewardship
02:06 Introduction to Health Insurance Alternatives
03:38 Comparing Costs: Traditional vs. Non-Traditional Health Coverage
04:45 Christian Healthcare Ministries: An In-Depth Look
08:31 Exploring Crowd Health
24:21 Faith and Healthcare Choices
30:48 Direct Primary Care Explained
43:50 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
 

Links We Mentioned:

• CHM: https://agapeinvests.com/chm (Katie’s Referral link. Use number ‪(231) 475-0280‬ when asked who referred you) 
• CrowdHealth: https://www.joincrowdhealth.com/ 
• Medishare: https://www.medishare.com/ 
• Check out Katie’s Christian Healthcare Ministries Review videos on YouTube. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbGQ6XVmrx6m6RW3vn25WbC12GLHxneDW&si=r1jzqxOGDiS-8Rnj 

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

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 the Crunchy Stewardship podcast, cousins Chrissy Rombach and Katie Jones discuss the high costs of healthcare and methods to manage these expenses effectively. They explore traditional health insurance, explaining premiums, copays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums. They highlight issues within the system, such as the rising costs influenced by both providers and insurance companies. They introduce alternative healthcare strategies, focusing on non-traditional health insurance options like Christian Healthcare Ministries and Crowd Health. The episode covers their personal experiences with these health cost-sharing programs, emphasizing their benefits, such as significant discounts for self-pay patients and no network restrictions. The cousins also touch on the necessity of a mindset shift towards investing in preventative care and managing catastrophic health events. They conclude with a teaser for the next episode, which will delve deeper into the specifics of various health-sharing companies.

Key takeaway: 

This Crunchy Stewardship episode reveals that while traditional health insurance in the U.S. is costly and often misaligned with consumer interests, health cost-sharing ministries offer a budget-friendly, faith-centered alternative. These ministries concentrate on covering significant medical events, encouraging individuals to invest in their preventative health through self-pay options and direct provider relationships, rather than relying on a system that often prioritizes profit over patient well-being.

Links: 

• CHM: https://agapeinvests.com/chm (Katie’s Referral link. Use number ‪(231) 475-0280‬ when asked who referred you) 
• CrowdHealth: https://www.joincrowdhealth.com/ 
• Medishare: https://www.medishare.com/ 
• Check out Katie’s Christian Healthcare Ministries Review videos on YouTube. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbGQ6XVmrx6m6RW3vn25WbC12GLHxneDW&si=r1jzqxOGDiS-8Rnj 

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to Crunchy Stewardship
01:20 Introduction to Today's Topic: Paying for Health
02:29 Understanding Health Insurance Basics
06:12 The Economics of Healthcare Costs
07:31 Exploring Non-Traditional Health Insurance
08:38 Personal Experiences with Health Cost Sharing
15:23 Challenges and Benefits of Non-Traditional Healthcare
42:10 Conclusion 

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

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, cousins Katie Jones and Chrissy Rombach delve into the controversial topic of seed oils. The hosts clarify what seed oils are, their chemical properties, and the health implications of consuming them. They discuss the history and political landscape that led to the widespread use of seed oils and contrast them with more stable, healthier fats like butter, tallow, and coconut oil. The episode provides practical advice on choosing and using healthier oils, the significance of cold-pressed oils, and tips for integrating these into daily life. Chrissy and Katie also share personal anecdotes, book recommendations, and emphasize the importance of making informed, incremental changes to improve overall health and honor God.

Episode Takeaway: 

Understanding the historical and chemical differences between traditional saturated fats and modern seed oils reveals how our dietary recommendations have been fundamentally flipped, impacting our health and highlighting the importance of choosing stable, natural fats for optimal wellness. 

Links & Things Mentioned in This Episode:

• Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats https://amzn.to/3SLKo4b 

Types of Good Oils/Fats 

• Pure Tallow
• Avocado Oil
• Olive Oil
• Coconut Oil 
• Ghee
• Almond Oil 
• Sesame Oil 

Organic & gold pressed are BEST

Chapters: 

00:00 Welcome to Crunchy Stewardship
00:59 Introduction to Seed Oils
02:07 Understanding Unsaturated Fats
07:17 The History and Politics of Seed Oils
09:25 Health Impacts of Seed Oils
21:57 Choosing the Right Oils for Cooking
26:46 Smoke Point of Fats and Oils
32:31 Practical Tips for Healthier Choices
38:28 Final Thoughts and Resources

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

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, cousins Chrissy Rombach and Katie Jones explore the significance and uses of essential oils from both a biblical and practical perspective. They discuss the origins of essential oils, their historical and spiritual context, and provide a list of oils mentioned in the Bible. The hosts share their personal experiences and the medicinal benefits of various essential oils like lavender and peppermint for stress relief, migraines, and treating fevers. They also emphasize the importance of choosing high-quality oils and avoiding synthetic products. Practical applications of essential oils in daily life, from personal care routines to household cleaning, are highlighted, along with recommendations for reputable essential oil brands. The episode concludes with an invite to their Facebook group, 'Crunchy Christian Mamas on a Budget,' for further discussion and resources.

Episode Takeaway: 

Essential oils, far from being a modern "alternative" trend, have a deep-rooted history in human health, biblical practices, and natural healing. When sourced for purity and quality, they offer a versatile and biblically-aligned approach to stewarding one's health and home, providing effective natural solutions for common ailments, personal care, and household cleaning, while emphasizing the importance of understanding their true potency compared to synthetic fragrances.

Books/Authors:

• Dr. Josh Axe's book "Essential Oils": https://amzn.to/4kt94uh 

Biblical References/Concepts:

• Frankincense and Myrrh: Mentioned as two of the most highly revered oils in the Bible, brought to Jesus as gifts.
• Spikenard: Mentioned as the oil Mary (sister of Martha) poured on Jesus' feet.
  • Matthew, Mark, and Luke: The gospels where the anointing with spikenard is mentioned (though the event where Mary anoints Jesus' feet with costly perfume made of pure nard is specifically found in John 12:1-8, and a similar anointing is found in Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, and Luke 7:36-50 with different contexts). It would be best to link to the relevant biblical passages.
• Moses giving instructions for anointing leaders: General reference to oils being used in the wilderness.
• Anointing the altar in the tabernacle: General reference to oils and incense in biblical rituals.
• Esther bathing in Myrrh: Reference to Esther's purification ritual before presenting herself to the king.

Products/Substances:

• Epsom Salt: Mentioned for baths for detoxification and fever reduction.
• Coconut Oil / Olive Oil: Mentioned as carrier oils to dilute essential oils for topical application.
• Vinegar and Baking Soda: Mentioned as natural cleaning agents.
• Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap: Highly recommended as an 18-in-1, non-toxic, concentrated soap with essential oils. https://amzn.to/4kt9q45 
• Dryer Balls: Mentioned as an alternative to dryer sheets for laundry, with essential oils added for scent. https://amzn.to/43Jzd0M 

Essential Oils (specific mentions):

• Lavender: For relaxation, stress reduction, sleep, and baths.
• Eucalyptus: For relaxation, diffusing with lavender, and a good antimicrobial for cleaning.
• Peppermint: For migraines (on temples and behind earlobes), for colds (in diffusers), fever reduction (in baths), draining sinuses (in showers), and for calming the digestive system/healing ulcerative colitis (ingested).
• Lime essential oil: For fever reduction in baths with epsom salt. 
• Oregano oil: Super effective antimicrobial for cleaning, more effective than most antibiotics.
• Lemon essential oil: For laundry (on dryer balls) and diffusing for a clean scent.

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