Episode 60- We’ve been talking about emotional eating and how bad it is for your health. Last week, I discussed how to take simple steps to stop emotional eating. But, what can you do to handle the stress instead of satisfying that urge to eat? In this episode, I talk about how to relieve stress naturally with some easy helps. These include natural…

Episode 59–We’ve been talking about the roots and damaging effects of emotional eating. But, how can we escape this vicious cycle that drags us down into depression and obesity? What are some key steps that can help? After all, dieting usually doesn’t help. In fact, dieting can sometimes make it worse. This is because emotional eating is a psycholo…

Episode 58-The holidays aren’t always cheery and joyful, right? Sometimes they stir up stress, hurt, and other negative feelings. We deal with these feelings in different ways, but one way is eating. Do you eat when you feel sad? Hurt? Disappointed? If you do this often, it may be a sign of something much bigger called emotional eating. In Episode …

Episode 57–Around the holidays, we often engage in emotional eating. That’s because the holidays bring both joy and stress. Who makes all the food and often buys all the gifts? Mom. Who plans the parties and decorates? Mom. And, you guessed it, it’s mom who gathers all the craft supplies and situates all the guests who arrive. So, what does mom do …

Episode 56-In the United States, about 12% of women aged 15-44 have difficulty getting pregnant and/or carrying a baby to term. That percentage increases as couples wait longer to have children and is in addition to the 6% who can’t get pregnant at all. That means that nearly 20% of women or 1 in 5 experience fertility issues. On top of this, male …

Episode 55-Aside from menstrual issues, we women also regularly deal with breast health issues. Do your breasts feel tender, lumpy, or painful around your period? Maybe you’re dealing with breast cysts. In this episode, we’ll talk about natural remedies for breast cysts and the difference between cysts and tumors. Learning more about breast cysts W…

Episode 54-Many, many women dread “that time of the month” because every month, they experience crippling painful periods. When I was a teenager, I became a frequent visitor to the nurse’s office every month because of this. Of course, the nurse couldn’t dispense any pain medications, so all I ever got was a hot water bottle. That didn’t really hel…

Episode 53-If you are a woman in your 40’s, you are probably in the years known as perimenopause. It is during these years–especially in your late 40’s–that you may start experiencing hot flashes as well as other symptoms of declining hormone levels. Sometimes your doctor may suggest hormone replacement therapy to ease discomfort. But, hormone ther…

Episode 52-Most women at some point in their lives get a yeast infection. Most of the time, we reach for an over-the-counter anti-fungal medication. But, sometimes we experience nasty side effects from those or we have an allergic reaction. So, it’s a good idea to know some natural yeast infection remedies to try. It’s also good to understand how t…

Episode 51-Many women struggle with monthly cramps, cravings, irritability, and other symptoms. In this podcast, Julie kicks off a series on women’s health with some easy tips for how to help PMS symptoms improve. Try these tips if you want to feel better naturally and you’ve ruled out more serious issues such as PCOS or endometriosis. First, let’s…

Sage is a wonderful garden plant with which you may not be familiar. Listen in as Julie discusses historic and modern sage uses. Historic Sage Uses Salvia officinalis comes from the Latin word “salvere,” meaning “to be saved.” Records of sage uses go as far back as ancient Egypt, where it was used to promote fertility in women. Perhaps it was clary…

TaleDo you like to use rosemary in cooking? Well, rosemary is a delicious, aromatic herb, but it also has many historical uses beyond making food taste good. In this episode, join Julie as she discusses rosemary uses beyond cooking. Rosemary Uses in History Rosmarinus officinalis, but now called Salvia rosmarinus. The scientific name, Rosmarinus, c…

peoThose popular, pretty, yellow and orange (and sometimes white or pink) flowers pack a punch. You might know them better as the skin herb, Calendula. Discover Calendula uses for more than just skin on this podcast with Julie. First, marigolds and calendula are not the same plant. They look similar and are both in the Asteraceae family, but they a…

Catnip is a popular herb for a bit of fun with our cats, but do you know catnip uses for humans? Join Julie on this episode of Crunchy Christian podcast to learn more about catnip. Catnip Uses in History Nepeta cataria is a native to Europe and Asia. The Greeks and Romans knew it and probably the Egyptians as well. After all, they revered cats. It …

Lemon Balm is a useful plant to include in any herbal garden. The benefits of lemon balm for the entire family are worth the effort. Join Julie on Crunchy Christian Podcast today as she talks about this wonderful, mild herb. Historical Benefits of Lemon Balm Greeks Melissa officinalis appears in ancient texts as far back as 2000 years. People stron…

You have probably heard of lavender essential oil. Lots of people are familiar with it for helping with sleep issues. But, there are many other lavender uses that make it the oil you can’t live without. Join Julie on Crunchy Christian Podcast as she talks about lavender. Lavender Uses You Can’t Live Without A long history Ancient history Lavandula …

Thyme uses go far back in history, but today, it’s mostly known as a culinary herb. Discover how this humble herb not only makes your food taste better, but it also improves your health. Learn about thyme uses and benefits that you need to know about now! Thyme Uses in History Ancient Historical Uses Thymus vulgaris is the Latin name for thyme. The…

In this episode, Julie discusses common and not so common oregano uses. Join her to discover culinary and medicinal uses along with some growing tips. Historical Oregano Uses Origanum vulgare, or Greek Oregano as we know it (although it’s sometimes called Wild Marjoram), has a long history. Since it is native to the Mediterranean area, the first re…

Have you ever wondered what a health coach does and how she might be able to help you? Today on Crunchy Christian Podcast, Julie talks with health coach and holistic nutritionist, Tresa Rolando Salters of Live Well Blessed. Tresa, tell our listeners a bit about what led you to become an integrative nutrition health coach. Well, I had problems with …

Have you ever wondered about postpartum exercise and how to do it safely? Gentle exercise is an important part of the recovery process and integral to health. Today, Julie interviews Beth Learn of Fit2B Studios about her journey and about some easy postpartum exercise tips. So, Beth, we were talking about how your interest in fitness started in hig…

Join Julie today as she talks with herbalist and naturalist, Karen Stephenson of Edible Wild Food about how to combat food shortage and gain better nutrition through edible wild foods. As we know, God gave us far more than just 25 plant species to eat. The planet is bursting with edible wild foods that are available for free. Listen to this intervi…

Join Julie today as she talks with personal trainer, De Bolton of Faith Fueled Mom about honoring your body through fitness. As we know, our bodies are the temple of God and are an important part of how we honor our Lord. Listen to this interview to learn more about the role of fitness and diet in meeting our potential as servants of the Most High.…

Want to know about embracing an herbal lifestyle? Join Julie on today’s episode as she interviews Jamie Fivecoate Larrison of The Herbal Spoon. She is a trained herbalist and in addition to her own site, she is also the DIY and Natural Remedies Editor with Wellness Mama. She has trained with some notable herbalists such as James McDonald and Dr. Av…

Want to know how to control blood sugar naturally? Julie gives some tips in this week’s Crunchy Christian Podcast episode. First, she discusses the differences between simple and complex carbs. This is because controlling your intake of simple carbs is the heart of how to control blood sugar. How to Control Blood Sugar Naturally Understand the diff…

Ever wonder if that donut is as harmless as it looks? An occasional treat won’t hurt you, but a daily habit might do more harm than just add a few pounds. Find out more about how sugar affects the body in this podcast. How Sugar Affects the Body You May Gain Weight One way of how sugar affects the body is by adding extra pounds. There are two ways …

Do you use artificial sweeteners in your morning coffee? How about diet soda or in baking? Find out more about what they are and what they do to your body in this episode about the low down on artificial sweeteners with Julie Polanco. What are Artificial Sweeteners? Artificial sweeteners are sweeteners that are manmade and not found in nature. They…

We love our pumpkin spice, apple pies, snickerdoodle cookies, and other cinnamon flavored goodies during the holidays. But did you know that cinnamon benefits your health in many ways, too? Learn more in this podcast with Julie Polanco. Cinnamon Through History Cinnamomum zeylanicum, or Cinnamon has a long history of use, going back to the ancient …

Ever wonder how peppermint came to be associated with Christmas? Learn the story and more about peppermint benefits and uses with Julie Polanco in this podcast episode. Peppermint Benefits and Historic Uses Mentha piperita, a natural hybrid of Mentha aquatica and Mentha spicata (water mint and spearmint), has a long history of use. It was used as a…

Are you ready for Christmas yet? How about some historical fun with pine tree symbolism and uses? Check out the podcast with Julie and dig into lore from around the world. Pine Tree Symbolism from History and Around the World Europe Did you know that the oldest living tree in the world is a Bristlecone Pine Tree living in the White Mountains of Cal…

Ever wondered why holly is associated with Christmas? What even is holly, really? Learn more about holly symbolism, its roots in pagan traditions and beliefs, and its beneficial uses on this episode. Holly Symbolism and Historic Roots Ilex aquifolium, or the Holly tree, is a small evergreen tree with deeply lobed, waxy, prickled leaves native to Eu…

Ever wonder about mistletoe and why it’s part of Christmas lore and tradition? Join Julie on this week’s episode to learn about mistletoe secret history and uses. It’s been around a long time! Mistletoe Secret History Some of the mistletoe secret history starts with the ancient Norse, Greek, and Roman legends. In Norse mythology, the god Baldur the…

Ever wondered about myrrh? What is it and what are the benefits of myrrh? Why was it one of the gifts of the magi? Listen to this week’s podcast as Julie discusses this ancient resin. The History of Myrrh Commiphora myrrha grows in the same areas as Frankincense, namely the Horn of Africa and parts of the Middle East. It is harvested in a similar w…

Welcome to the Holiday series on Crunchy Christian podcast! Join Julie today as she talks about the benefits of frankincense. Frankincense was one of the gifts of the magi who visited Jesus after his birth. But, what is frankincense? We know that it played an important role in worship, offerings, and prayer in both the Jewish culture and in other a…

Join Julie on Crunchy Christian Podcast as she talks about the benefits of cod liver oil, grandma’s super food for the cold weather months. Ever wondered why she traditionally gave each child a spoonful every day? Listen and find out! Historical Uses of Cod Liver Oil For centuries, the people of northern Europe knew the benefits of cod liver oil an…

Join Julie as she talks about mushroom benefits for a strong immune defense on Crunchy Christian Podcast. We don’t often think about fungi when we think about natural health, but mushrooms offer some awesome helps. Some Facts About Mushrooms Did you know that the plant and fungi kingdoms are so intertwined that one can’t really live without the oth…

Benefits of the 3 Super G’s: Green Tea, Garlic, and Guts Check out the benefits of garlic, green tea, and guts on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast. Julie breaks down why these are great additions to your daily diet and a few ways to enjoy them. Benefits of Garlic Garlic, or Allium sativum, is a member of the onion family. It has numerous b…

Want to know more about the benefits of super greens? Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she discusses green leafy vegetables, why you need them, and some sneaky ways to get more in your diet. What are Super Greens? All green vegetables are not super. That’s not to say that they aren’t nutritious, but they may not be…

Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she discusses what are superfoods and why you should eat them. What are superfoods? Most of the time when we hear about superfoods, we automatically think of expensive powders and shakes. But, God gave us fruits, vegetables, and animal sources that are naturally packed with nutritio…

Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she discusses purslane uses and benefits. Find out how this common weed has been used for centuries as a nutritious vegetable and helpful plant. Some Facts About Purslane History Purslane, or Portulaca oleraceae, is an incredibly old plant. Seeds found in the modern United States da…

Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she discusses chicory’s purse uses and benefits. Find out how this common weed has been used for centuries to help with many health issues. Some Facts About Chicory History Common chicory or Cichorium intybus in Latin, is well-known in the United States as the key ingredient in that…

Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she discusses shepherd’s purse uses and benefits. Find out how this common weed has been used for centuries to help with many health issues. Some Facts About Shepherd’s Purse History Capsella bursa-pastoris, as shepherd’s purse is known in Latin, is native to Europe, but is also fou…

Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she discusses plantain uses and benefits. Find out how this common weed has been used for centuries to help with many health issues. Some Facts About Plantain History Plantago major (and its related species, Plantago lanceolata), as plantain is known in Latin, now grows in more than…

Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she discusses sassafras uses and benefits. Find out how this common, aggressive weedy tree has been used for centuries to help with many health issues. Some Facts About Sassafras History Sassafras albidum is a distinctly North American weed tree and North America’s only spice. Nativ…

Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she discusses chickweed uses and benefits. Find out how this common plant has been used for centuries to help with many health issues. Some Facts About Chickweed History Not much is written about Stellaria media, or chickweed. We know it originated in Europe because archeologists fo…

Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she discusses red clover uses and benefits. Find out how this common plant has been used for centuries to help with many health issues. Some Facts About Red Clover History Red clover, whose scientific name is Trifolium praetense, was first grown in Europe and has been used for at le…

Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she discusses dandelion uses and benefits. Find out how this common weed has been used for centuries to help with many health issues. Some Facts About Dandelion Pretty much everyone knows what a dandelion looks like, with its toothed leaves gathered around the round, almost furry ye…

Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she discusses natural summer foot care. Learn how to use natural remedies for warts and athlete’s foot. Natural Summer Foot Care Summertime seems to be fraught with foot challenges. After spending some time walking around barefoot at a pool, we often contract warts. If we do a lot o…

Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she discusses natural hydration drinks. Ditch those sugary electrolyte sports beverages and learn how to properly re-hydrate after hiking, biking, running, swimming, and the like. Nourish your body right! Natural Hydration Drinks Perfect for Summer Now that we’re all more active, we…

Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she discusses herbal first aid. She talks about what you need to keep in your cupboard or take with you on your outdoor adventures. Ready to stock your medicine cabinet with natural helps for scrapes, bruises, and other emergencies? Let’s dig in! Herbal First Aid Essentials Before w…

Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she discusses natural remedies for bug bites. She talks about natural repellents, mosquito bites, and bee stings. Natural Remedies for Bug Bites Natural Bug Repellent First, you can minimize your exposure by wearing long, light colored clothing and sealing all “entrances” whenever y…