The Microplastic Problem: How Plastic Impacts Male and Female Fertility

The Post-Birth Breakdown: Microbiomes, Breast Milk, and Stem Cells

Send us a Message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2467060/fan_mail/new] Welcome back to Crunchy Stewardship! In Part 2 of our (unintentional) Pregnancy, Labor & Delivery series, we are looking closely at the medical decisions and physiological miracles that happen during and immediately after delivery. If you have ever wondered what the actual differences are between vaginal births and C-sections when it comes to your baby's long-term health, this episode breaks it all down. We discuss how the physical squeeze of the birth canal prepares a newborn's lungs, the incredible science of "vaginal seeding" for the gut microbiome, and how a baby's saliva literally communicates with the mother's body during breastfeeding to create custom immune-boosting milk. We also tackle the hard conversations about delivery room interventions: the great debate between natural tearing versus episiotomies, how to prevent tearing in the first place, and why you have to choose between delayed cord clamping and expensive cord blood banking. Whether you are prepping for your first baby or your fifth, we want to equip you to make these choices with confidence and faith over fear! In this episode, you'll learn: * Random Revelation: Where does fat actually go when you burn it? Chrissy shares the mind-blowing science of exhaling your fat as CO2! * Vaginal Birth Benefits: How the birth canal physically squeezes fluid from a baby's lungs and "seeds" their delicate gut microbiome. * Breast Milk Magic: How a baby's saliva sends signals to the mother's body to create custom antibodies for whatever illness they are fighting. * C-Section Realities: Navigating major abdominal surgery recovery, prophylactic antibiotic exposure, and the emerging practice of vaginal swabbing for C-section babies. * Tearing vs. Episiotomies: The pros and cons of both, plus our best tear-prevention tips (including perineal massage, warm compresses, and the "Silly Putty" analogy for slow, controlled pushing). * The Umbilical Cord Debate: Why you can't have both delayed cord clamping and stem cell banking, and how to navigate the "what ifs" of medical emergencies with a faith-over-fear mindset. Chapters:  00:00 Early Morning Catch Up 01:25 Birth Topics Roadmap 03:29 Random Revelation: Fat Burning 08:06 Instagram Tangents Toddler Hacks 11:47 C Section Versus Vaginal Birth 17:44 Microbiome And Vaginal Seeding 23:54 Breast Milk Immune Training 27:42 C-Section Recovery Reality 29:41 Hospital Stay and Double Recovery 30:50 Antibiotics and Baby Microbiome 35:09 Pain Meds and Addiction Risk 38:45 Episiotomy Versus Tearing 43:52 Preventing Tears During Labor 49:39 Cord Clamping and Banking  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 [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 [https://crunchystewardship.com/how-to-afford-non-toxic-living]

The Labor Prep Episode: Why "Birth is Not an Emergency"

Send us a Message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2467060/fan_mail/new] Welcome back to Crunchy Stewardship! As we transition from our fertility series into actual pregnancy and birth prep, we are tackling the big decisions you'll face before delivery day. But first, Katie has a massive stewardship win to share: she officially launched an Azure Standard drop site right at her local church! When you live in a rural area and are tired of driving 40 minutes in the snow just to afford bulk organic groceries, organizing a local drop is an absolute game-changer for the grocery budget and for building a crunchy community. When it comes to labor, our culture is incredibly quick to treat childbirth like a medical emergency—but God designed our bodies to do this! Today, we discuss the pros and cons of hospitals, birth centers, and home births, and why choosing the right environment is crucial for a peaceful delivery. We also weigh the realities of common medical interventions, from the Tylenol debate to epidurals and Pitocin, so you can make informed, prayerful decisions. In this episode, you'll learn: * Random Revelation: Katie’s new Azure Standard drop site and how buying healthy staples in bulk saves serious grocery money. * The Pregnancy "Avoid" List: A nuanced look at the risks of cat litter, sushi, lunch meats (listeria), and the recent debates surrounding acetaminophen. * Birth Settings: Why "birth is not an emergency" and how to evaluate if a hospital, birth center, or home birth is the right fit for your family. * Intervention Realities: The truth about epidurals (including loss of pushing sensation and stalled labor) and medical inductions like Pitocin, membrane sweeps, and Foley balloons. * Natural Inductions & Movement: How to physically prepare your pelvic floor with deep squats, the importance of "curb walking," and why laboring flat on your back works against gravity. * Mental Prep & Hypnobirthing: Why you need to shut down the horror stories and surround yourself with positive, empowering birth testimonies. Resources mentioned: * Groceries: Azure Standard - https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=50bb0fcd9b * App: Expecting and Empowered - https://www.expectingandempowered.com/e-e-app * App: Christian Hypnobirthing - https://www.christianhypnobirthing.com/ * Book: Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin - https://amzn.to/3PXb9Vg [https://amzn.to/3PXb9Vg]  * Book: The Headspace Guide to a Mindful Pregnancy by Andy Puddicombe - https://amzn.to/43oLpEm [https://amzn.to/43oLpEm]  * Book: Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method by Marie Mongan - https://amzn.to/42KFVUj [https://amzn.to/42KFVUj]  Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Crunchy Stewardship 00:33 Labor Prep Episode Setup 02:10 Azure Standard Drop Site 08:52 Church Drop Program Details 11:08 Pregnancy Avoid List 18:08 Tylenol Debate and Tangent 24:29 Stretching and Birth Setting 33:59 Birth Choices Matter 34:42 Better Labor Positions 36:48 Midwives Doulas Explained 38:34 Epidurals Realities Risks 47:21 Induction Options Medical 52:13 Natural Induction Tips 57:48 Hypnobirthing Positive Stories 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 [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 [https://crunchystewardship.com/how-to-afford-non-toxic-living]

Pregnancy 101: A Crunchy Guide to Nausea, Vitamins, and Stretch Marks

Send us a Message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2467060/fan_mail/new] Welcome back to Crunchy Stewardship! We have officially reached the grand finale of our Fertility Series. After weeks of discussing how to heal your body, reduce your toxic load, and prepare for conception, we are finally asking the big question: You're pregnant... now what? And we couldn't think of a better way to kick off this episode than with a massive Random Revelation: Chrissy is 12 weeks pregnant! The first trimester is a beautiful but incredibly challenging season. Today, we are sharing real-time updates and practical, crunchy tips for surviving the early days of pregnancy. We talk about finding grace when the only thing that sounds good is organic mac and cheese, how to navigate severe nausea, and why the "elastin" hormone is the sneaky culprit behind your early heartburn. We also break down what to actually look for in a prenatal vitamin and our favorite clean oils to soothe your stretching skin! In this episode, you'll learn: * The Big Reveal: Chrissy shares her 12-week pregnancy update and how vestibular physical therapy cured her severe vertigo in just one session. * First Trimester Nausea Hacks: Why you need well-rounded snacks (protein + fat + carbs) instead of just plain crackers, the difference between ginger and peppermint, and Katie’s Unisom & B6 trick. * The "Elastin" Hormone: How this hormone loosens your joints to make room for baby, but also triggers early heartburn and round ligament pain. * Pelvic Floor Myths: Why pregnancy incontinence is not an inevitable life sentence and how proactive movement can protect your core. * Decoding Prenatals: Why you need to check your label for folate vs. folic acid, watch out for glucose syrups, and why it's crucial to start taking them before you see a positive test. * Stretch Mark Prevention: Our favorite natural body oils (like grapeseed, almond, and Ancient Greek Remedy) to keep your skin nourished—plus a hilarious story about Chrissy using belly oil as aftershave! Resources mentioned: * Exercise App: Expecting and Empowered * Body Oil: Ancient Greek Remedy Body Oil - https://amzn.to/4nxsDE9 * Body Oil: Mother's Special Blend (Katie's older recommendation) - https://amzn.to/4wxGPRJ Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to the Fertility Series Finale! 04:33 Random Revelation: The Big Reveal... Chrissy is Pregnant! 06:06 Surviving the First Trimester 10:07 Trimester Overview and Diastasis Tips 12:54 Nausea Survival Strategies 19:25 Heartburn Hacks 26:17 Exercise and Birth Prep Movement 32:19 Ligaments Hormones and Pelvic Floor 40:48 Eating Well When Nothing Sounds Good 46:15 Prenatals: What to Choose 54:23 Second Trimester Glow 58:19 Stretch Marks Oils 01:03:12 Join Us On Facebook 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 [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 [https://crunchystewardship.com/how-to-afford-non-toxic-living]

The Long-Term Effects of Birth Control, Antibiotics, and Steroids

Send us a Message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2467060/fan_mail/new] Welcome back to Crunchy Stewardship! In Part 9 of our Fertility Series, we are shifting our focus to the conventional medical interventions we are so commonly prescribed. From the "doc in a box" to our primary care visits, it is so easy to rely on a quick prescription to mask uncomfortable symptoms. But what are those "quick fixes" costing our long-term health? Today, we are digging deep into the systemic impacts of birth control, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and steroids. We explain how synthetic hormones act as endocrine disruptors, why your gut flora is the actual foundation of your fertility, and how certain prescriptions deplete the exact vitamins your body needs to sustain a healthy pregnancy. Plus, Katie shares a fun homesteading update (baby chicks have arrived!) and talks about her real-time experience using homeopathy and natural remedies to navigate a stubborn spring cold. In this episode, you'll learn: * Homestead Updates & Natural Cold Care: Katie's journey using homeopathy for a sinus headache, building pallet compost bins, and the arrival of the baby chicks! Plus, Chrissy's recipe for thyme-infused honey. * The "Quick Fix" Problem: Why suppressing symptoms (like fevers or coughs) can actually prevent your body from doing what it was perfectly designed to do. * The Truth About Birth Control: How synthetic hormones act as "fake keys" in your endocrine system, mask underlying issues like endometriosis and PCOS, and severely deplete the body of B-vitamins, magnesium, and zinc. * Antibiotic Stewardship: The microevolution of bacteria, the danger of wiping out your gut microbiome, and why fertility starts in the gut. * Heavy Metals & Hormone Disruption: A brief look at the endocrine-disrupting heavy metals often found in vaccines and where to find the transparent data. * Steroids & Blood Sugar: How long-term steroid use spikes blood sugar (leading to fat-stored estrogen), thins the skin, and triggers withdrawals. * Natural Anti-Inflammatories: Simple, holistic ways to reduce inflammation using ginger, warm baths, and steam. Resources mentioned: * Book Recommendation: Turtles All the Way Down (Vaccine Science and Myth): https://amzn.to/4nkFGbZ [https://amzn.to/4nkFGbZ]  * Website: Just the Inserts - https://justtheinserts.com/ [https://justtheinserts.com/]  * Website: HealthLine Article on Birth Control: https://www.healthline.com/health/birth-control-effects-on-body#:~:text=Combined%20pills%2C%20which%20contain%20synthetic,while%20using%20the%20combined%20pill.  Chapters:  00:00 Welcome to Crunchy Stewardship 00:46 Fertility Series Setup 02:08 Random Revelation Homeopathy 10:01 Natural Cold Care Tips 12:31 Garden Beds and Baby Chicks 14:19 Medical Interventions Overview 15:36 Birth Control and Fertility 16:24 Birth Control Personal Experiences 18:02 Synthetic Hormones as "Toxins" 20:12 Phytoestrogens 20:37 Messing With Your Cycle 22:42 Masking Bigger Problems 30:03 Nutrient Depletion 32:14 Pregnancy Nausea 35:47 Antibiotics Gut and Resistance 37:44 Microevolution in Bacteria 49:25 Vaccines 55:02 Steroids Remember, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Cor Connect With Us:  Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crunchychristianmama [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 [https://crunchystewardship.com/how-to-afford-non-toxic-living]

The Pesticide Problem: How Glyphosate Disrupts Your Hormones and Fertility

Send us a Message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2467060/fan_mail/new] 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 [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 [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 [https://crunchystewardship.com/how-to-afford-non-toxic-living]