The Crunchy Farm Mom

42. Removing Dyes In Our Households with Jena Ochsner

Amanda hosts Jena Ochsner, a Nebraska farm mom, former labor and delivery nurse, and direct-to-consumer beef business owner, to discuss artificial food dyes and why their family avoids them. Jena shares her health journey through functional medicine and explains how her oldest son developed sudden anxiety, tics, sleep issues, urinary frequency, and behavior changes that were later linked to chronic Lyme and PANS; reducing "toxin cup" triggers like food dyes and folic acid helped, with even small amounts (like a single sucker) causing noticeable reactions. They note dyes are petroleum-based, FDA-approved additives used for color and present in unexpected products (pickles, marshmallows, some meats, supplements), while other countries use natural coloring. They offer practical strategies: read every label, provide dye-free snacks for school/grandparents, use affordable options like store brands and frozen fruit, and teach kids to notice how foods affect how they feel. 00:00 Welcome to Crunchy Farm Mom 00:57 Meet Jena Ochsner 02:52 Jenna Health Journey Begins 03:55 Chronic Migraines and Burnout 05:38 Son's Sudden Anxiety Signs 08:09 Tick Bite Lyme and PANS 09:57 Why Share Health Online 13:40 Documentary To Dye For 14:35 Dyes and Behavior Effects 17:17 FDA Approval and Studies 20:49 Other Countries Already Banned 23:35 Hidden Dyes and Label Reading 25:21 PANS Brain on Fire and Toxins 29:09 Pantry Dye Purge 30:04 Hidden Dyes Everywhere 30:58 Behavior Changes Fast 32:17 Hardcore Snack Strategy 35:08 Progress Not Perfection 38:07 Teaching Kids Food Awareness 43:36 Healthy Snack Systems 45:26 Seed Oils And Eating Out 47:27 Budget Friendly Frozen Foods 49:28 Why Avoid Dyes Anyway 52:21 Finding Dye Free Options 54:55 Wrap Up And Thanks Follow on Instagram @2383farms [https://www.instagram.com/2383farms/] Follow on Facebook @2383farms [https://www.facebook.com/2383farms] Check out my website [https://2383farms.com/] Subscribe to our beef email list [https://rustic-flower-741.myflodesk.com/d9dinkrh6a] Email Amanda at amanda@2383farms.com [amanda@2383farms.com] Supporting Our Littles eBook [https://2383farms.com/collections/digital-products/products/supporting-our-littles-ebook] https://rustic-flower-741.myflodesk.com/o0n4165nfc Buy some 2383 Farms Beef! [https://2383farms.com/collections/all] 2383 Farms All Beef Cookbook [https://2383farms.com/products/2383-farms-llc-all-beef-cookbook] Check out some recipes on our blog [https://2383farms.com/blogs/recipes] Jena's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jenaochsner/]

41. Transitioning Our Big Ideas with Kylie Epperson

Amanda interviews Kylie Epperson, a farm wife and mom of three in rural northeast Missouri, about balancing family life with entrepreneurship and giving yourself permission to pivot. Kylie shares her path from earning teaching degrees and teaching for one year to returning to the farm for bookwork, then facing burnout and postpartum depression in 2020 that led her to seek help through medication and therapy. After realizing her identity and worth weren't tied to farm office work, she stepped away, ran two House of Color franchises for about three years serving over 500 women, then pivoted again due to early burnout signs. She now works as a professional public speaker and event host, with a podcast and some brand partnerships, focusing on joy and sustainability. They discuss fears of seeming "flaky," seasonal energy shifts, and Kylie's advice to moms: ask for help and open communication to lighten the load. 00:00 Welcome to Crunchy Farm Mom 00:53 Meet Kylie Epperson 02:20 Why Plans Must Pivot 04:06 From Teaching to Farm Office 08:24 Burnout and Getting Help 11:09 House of Color Pivot 13:28 New Season of Work 15:33 Fear of Being Flaky 17:50 Reframing Pivots as Growth 25:54 Working in Seasonal Rhythms 27:59 Advice for Moms 30:31 Final Thanks and Wrap Up Follow on Instagram @2383farms [https://www.instagram.com/2383farms/] Follow on Facebook @2383farms [https://www.facebook.com/2383farms] Check out my website [https://2383farms.com/] Subscribe to our beef email list [https://rustic-flower-741.myflodesk.com/d9dinkrh6a] Email Amanda at amanda@2383farms.com [amanda@2383farms.com] Supporting Our Littles eBook [https://2383farms.com/collections/digital-products/products/supporting-our-littles-ebook] https://rustic-flower-741.myflodesk.com/o0n4165nfc Buy some 2383 Farms Beef! [https://2383farms.com/collections/all] 2383 Farms All Beef Cookbook [https://2383farms.com/products/2383-farms-llc-all-beef-cookbook] Check out some recipes on our blog [https://2383farms.com/blogs/recipes] Follow Kylie on Instagram @kylieepperson_ [https://www.instagram.com/kylieepperson_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] Check out Kylie's Podcast Instagram @boldlygroundedpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/boldlygroundedpodcast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] Check out Kylie's Website and Events [https://kylieepperson.com/]

40. On the Go Baby Items

Amanda shares her favorite on-the-go baby products from a third-time-mom perspective, noting that she uses fewer stationary baby items now and focuses more on convenience for busy schedules with older kids' activities. Her top recommendations include a USB-charged Momcozy bottle warmer for quickly heating water, formula, or breast milk; rechargeable stroller fans that also help in car seats during hot weather; a portable Ufi breast pump with a rechargeable case and warming feature; and compact options for storing milk on the go, including a small cooling container or a soft-sided hard cooler that fits mason jars and pump parts. She also recommends the Moby wrap as a budget-friendly carrier option and highlights the double Bob stroller with a car seat conversion kit for durability, storage, and ease across rough terrain. 00:00 Welcome to the Podcast 00:57 Quick Spring Update 01:43 Why On the Go Matters 02:59 First vs Third Baby 05:43 Top Pick Bottle Warmer 07:14 Stroller Fans for Heat 08:19 Wearable Pump Setup 09:22 Milk Storage Coolers 10:44 Baby Wrap Reality 12:38 Double Stroller Worth It 15:20 Final Tips and Goodbye Follow on Instagram @2383farms [https://www.instagram.com/2383farms/] Follow on Facebook @2383farms [https://www.facebook.com/2383farms] Check out my website [https://2383farms.com/] Subscribe to our beef email list [https://rustic-flower-741.myflodesk.com/d9dinkrh6a] Email Amanda at amanda@2383farms.com [amanda@2383farms.com] Supporting Our Littles eBook [https://2383farms.com/collections/digital-products/products/supporting-our-littles-ebook] https://rustic-flower-741.myflodesk.com/o0n4165nfc Buy some 2383 Farms Beef! [https://2383farms.com/collections/all] 2383 Farms All Beef Cookbook [https://2383farms.com/products/2383-farms-llc-all-beef-cookbook] Check out some recipes on our blog [https://2383farms.com/blogs/recipes] Momcozy Website [https://momcozy.com?rs_ref=rbD3SFCJ] Bottle Warmer [https://momcozy.com/products/portable-breast-milk-water-warmer-for-travel?_pos=3&_sid=53ffcde18&_ss=r] Fan [https://momcozy.com/products/usb-rechargeable-handheld-cooling-fan-for-travel?_pos=2&_sid=f62ccfbf4&_ss=r] Eufy [https://amzn.to/4b0od47] Milk Cooler Bottle [https://amzn.to/40iEKu7] Moby Wrap [https://amzn.to/3MTWHMx] Stroller [https://amzn.to/4rq3mfB] Stroller Cup Holder [https://amzn.to/4sEmVlm] Stroller Carseat Converter for Chicco Brand Carseats [https://amzn.to/4ri5BBl] Hard Sided Cooler [https://www.target.com/p/arctic-zone-titan-deep-freeze-zipperless-hardbody-8qt-cooler/-/A-88702905?preselect=86485593#lnk=sametab]

39. Footzoning with Jess

Amanda interviews Jessica Christian ("Foot Zoning with Jess"), a mom of three who works full-time in workers' comp/legal and has been sober for 11 years, about foot zoning and how she got into it after seeking natural ways to support her body. Jessica explains that foot zoning uses only the practitioner's hands in a specific pattern on the entire foot (top, sides, and bottom) to "rebalance," "detox," and help the body function as intended, noting feet can show and feel imbalances but that it is not used to diagnose. She shares examples including support during anxiety, emotional dysregulation, pregnancy stress, digestion, lymph issues, and helping kids with sickness, congestion, coughs, sinuses, and growing pains. She discusses visit frequency (often 4–6 weeks, individualized) and training options (online or in person), clarifies differences from reflexology, and directs listeners to her Instagram and her California location while offering referrals to other states. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:41 Jessica's Background 01:39 How She Found Foot Zoning 05:13 What Foot Zoning Is 07:51 Benefits and Real Examples 11:08 How Often to Get Zoned 12:11 Foot Zoning for Kids 13:29 Learning and Training Options 17:57 Foot Zoning vs Reflexology 19:12 Where to Find Jess 20:54 Final Thanks and Wrap Up Follow on Instagram @2383farms [https://www.instagram.com/2383farms/] Follow on Facebook @2383farms [https://www.facebook.com/2383farms] Check out my website [https://2383farms.com/] Subscribe to our beef email list [https://rustic-flower-741.myflodesk.com/d9dinkrh6a] Email Amanda at amanda@2383farms.com [amanda@2383farms.com] Supporting Our Littles eBook [https://2383farms.com/collections/digital-products/products/supporting-our-littles-ebook] https://rustic-flower-741.myflodesk.com/o0n4165nfc Buy some 2383 Farms Beef! [https://2383farms.com/collections/all] 2383 Farms All Beef Cookbook [https://2383farms.com/products/2383-farms-llc-all-beef-cookbook] Check out some recipes on our blog [https://2383farms.com/blogs/recipes] Connect with Jessica on Instagram @footzoning.with.jess [https://www.instagram.com/footzoning.with.jess?igsh=b3QwM3R1ZDV4cDF]

38. Farm Safety with The Dairy Wife Katie

Amanda interviews Katie Hammock, an ER nurse and dairy farmer's wife, about farm safety and being prepared for emergencies in rural areas where EMS may take 15–20 minutes to arrive. Katie shares why she created a practical farm emergency kit after not finding an affordable, useful option for their new milking parlor, and explains that severe bleeding can be fatal in under five minutes—having tourniquets, knowing how to use them, and quick access to supplies is critical. They discuss real injuries she has seen (chainsaw accidents, amputations, bush hog and lawnmower incidents), plus adult preparedness like CPR and being able to direct 911 to field locations. Katie also covers teaching toddlers farm and livestock safety through repeated, clear rules and mentions her kit includes a simple item list with instructions, with additional training materials in progress. 00:00 Welcome to Crunchy Farm Mom 00:55 Meet Katie Hammock 03:07 Why the Kit Exists 04:45 Rural Response Time Reality 09:06 Accidents That Change Lives 12:51 Adult Farm Safety Basics 15:54 Teaching Kids Farm Safety 21:43 Setting Family Safety Rules 25:25 Inside the Emergency Kit 28:15 Where to Keep Kits 31:35 Where to Find Katie 32:33 Final Wrap Up Follow on Instagram @2383farms [https://www.instagram.com/2383farms/] Follow on Facebook @2383farms [https://www.facebook.com/2383farms] Check out my website [https://2383farms.com/] Subscribe to our beef email list [https://rustic-flower-741.myflodesk.com/d9dinkrh6a] Email Amanda at amanda@2383farms.com [amanda@2383farms.com] Supporting Our Littles eBook [https://2383farms.com/collections/digital-products/products/supporting-our-littles-ebook] https://rustic-flower-741.myflodesk.com/o0n4165nfc Buy some 2383 Farms Beef! [https://2383farms.com/collections/all] 2383 Farms All Beef Cookbook [https://2383farms.com/products/2383-farms-llc-all-beef-cookbook] Check out some recipes on our blog [https://2383farms.com/blogs/recipes] You Can Follow Katie on Intstagram @thedairywife [https://www.instagram.com/thedairywife?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] Or visit her website at www.thedairywife.com [https://www.the]