Crunchy Christian Podcast

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 and used it in ointments and salves as well as in cooking. They’ve enjoyed robust health, even in the harshest conditions, long before other cultures started taking it internally. Then, in the 1700’s, medical doctors in England began using it internally. They found it effective for chronic rheumatism and by the 1830’s, doctors used it to combat tuberculosis, rickets, malnourishment, osteomalacia (softening of the bones), and some eye conditions. During World War II, the British government gave out cod liver oil for free to pregnant and nursing mothers, children under age 5, and those over age 40. Even after the war, Britain continued this program for another 30 years because it produced the healthiest generation of children England had ever seen. Benefits of Cod Liver Oil Over the last 100 years, research and observation have unraveled some of the mysteries hidden in food, including the health benefits of cod liver oil. While we don’t know everything, we know that this “liquid gold” contains vitamin A, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids. While many people don’t suffer from vitamin A deficiency, vitamin D is a different story.. In fact, an estimated 1 billion suffer from vitamin D deficiency worldwide. And, most people also don’t get enough EPA and DHA rich omega-3 fatty acids. Instead, they get too many omega-6’s. But, let’s back up a minute. You need essential fatty acids (EFAs) because your body needs them but can’t make them itself. They must come from your diet. These fats are used in every cell of your body, but especially in the eyes and nervous system. The retina and the brain’s gray matter are rich with omega-3 type EFAs. Omega-3’s also play an important role in the immune system, either promoting or inhibiting inflammation, with omega-3’s generally inhibiting inflammation. Interestingly, EFAs play a role in turning genes on and off as well. Therefore, some of the possible health benefits of cod liver oil is reducing inflammation and turning off genes for disease.Learn more about the importance of Omega-3’s on the podcast! Vitamin D or Die? Yes, vitamin D deficiency is associated with a shorter lifespan. But, here’s a fun fact: vitamin D isn’t a vitamin. It is a group of chemicals often thought of as hormones. “Vitamin” D starts out in the skin as a form of cholesterol that, in the presence of ultraviolet light, is converted by an enzyme into pre-vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). (Dietary vitamin D is already in this form). Then it travels to the liver, where another enzyme converts it to calcifediol. The kidneys convert it further to the active form of vitamin D, calcitriol, which travels around in the bloodstream. All this is to say that it takes cholesterol (yes, cholesterol!) and sunlight for the body to produce enough vitamin D. You need vitamin D to be able to absorb calcium and phosphorus, both necessary for healthy bones. But, our bodies use calcium in other places, too, which is why most of our tissues and cells have receptors for vitamin D. Find out more on the podcast. Another benefit of cod liver oil: Vitamin A Most people have no trouble getting enough vitamin A from eggs, milk, liver, fish, and vegetables. Vitamin A comes in two major forms and the easiest for your body to use comes from animal sources. Vegetable sources need to be converted into a usable form. It makes sense that the form most easily used comes from animals because vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin. This means that, in order for the body to absorb it, it needs to be eaten with fat. That’s a good reason to eat vegetables with butter or oil. You probably already know that this vitamin is necessary for good eyesight. But, did you know that it also keeps your skin looking young and plays an important role in cell growth and differentiation? Find out more about vitamin A on the podcast. Other resources Echinacea versus Elderberry How to Stock Your Winter Herbal Medicine Chest And don’t forget to check out the new picture book, The Secret Spice. This is the first in a series of children’s books featuring plants and includes a special surprise inside. Check it out! Makes a great gift and can be used for homeschooling, too! The post Benefits of Cod Liver Oil: Grandma’s Super Food (Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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. De is also one of the featured speakers at the upcoming Family Wellness Conference. So. Dee, tell us a little bit about your background and what prompted you to go from direct sales to personal trainer? What could have prompted you to do that because I understand you were really good with the direct sales? You are absolutely right. It was a literal life change when I went from direct sales to personal training, I was in direct sales and I was one of the top in my company. And honestly, I just got tired of partying. I was in one of those companies that you hosted a bunch of parties, and it sounds crazy to get tired of partying, but I did. I also was a mom of three little girls at the time and it was a lot of work. At the time, though, I was physically unhealthy. I tell people I was underweight spiritually and I was overweight physically. So, I decided to go on my own weight loss journey. And through the journey I got a conviction to honor my temple, so I just literally transformed my life from the inside out. Then, I went back to school and got a fitness and exercise science degree and certified as a personal trainer, corrective exercise specialist, fitness nutrition specialist, weight loss specialist and senior fitness specialist. Now, I get to serve women and help them reclaim their temple. I love that you said, “underweight spiritually and overweight physically.” You told us about honoring your body. How did you address the underweight spiritually? For sure. So like I said, when I started my journey, I was overweight and I went through a fast through another direct selling company. I literally prayed my way through the 30 day fast. I didn’t lose a lot of weight, but I did have a really intimate relationship with God. Hear more from De about honoring your body and your temple on the podcast! How did you address the weight loss after you were through with the fasting portion? So I went to a trainer, an online trainer, actually, and I joined a community of Christian women. It was nice to be in a community of women and also be educated by somebody who knew how to lose weight. So that was one thing I did. I tell people, ask for help. I also learned to focus on small wins and lifestyle changes rather than a number on the scale. I feel like celebrating those small things made the journey much more pleasurable. And I always say grace over guilt. So you’re celebrating all the good things that you’re doing and then when you do mess up, and you do have that donut, you don’t feel as bad. Learn more about the balance of honoring your body versus putting too much emphasis on fitness and diet on the podcast. They also discuss a transformational program called Bible and Bootcamp. Tell us about how moms can fit exercise and fitness into their busy day as moms? I’m a mom of three, so I can definitely relate to that. My three are not so little anymore. But as far as fitness, your faith and life, I say move more and nourish your body. Keep it very simple. You don’t have to go to the gym. Dance parties are amazing. Kids love to dance for 15 minutes. Everybody’s sweating in the room. And you moved your body more than you did the day before. Get more tips on the podcast!. De has a special promotion for all podcast listeners. $10 off on her app, FaithfueledLife, with code CRUNCHY. Check it out! You get daily devotionals, fitness and meal plans, ability to set goals and track progress, and more! Click here to learn more: FaithfueledLife, The post Honoring Your Body Through Fitness (New Year Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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 flavoring in sauces and wines, going as far back as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Egyptians used it as a remedy for indigestion and the Greeks and Romans used it to ease stomach issues. It is said that the Egyptians valued it so much that they used it as currency. By 1240, it appeared in the Icelandic Pharmacopoeia as an herbal remedy and indeed, the monks used it as tooth polisher among its other common uses. Cheesemakers saw that one of the peppermint benefits was that it kept the rats away. By the 1700’s, Europeans expanded peppermint benefits to include other stomach ailments such as nausea, vomiting, morning sickness as well as respiratory and menstrual disorders. In modern times it appears in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as a remedy for intestinal colic, gas, colds, morning sickness, and menstruation pain. The cultivation of peppermint started in Europe but expanded to North America as settlers came. The American natives knew of mint and were already using it, but they used a different species. Today, the United States produces 75% of the world’s supply, with most coming from Michigan. Peppermint and Christmas The traditional legend is that a German church choirmaster in the late 1600’s gave candies in the shape of shepherd’s staffs to the children to keep them quiet. At that time, they were white and may not have even been peppermint flavored. But, that is the tale of the cane-shaped candy, although the peppermint flavor wouldn’t be added for another 200 years or so. Most candy was made by hand, so this tradition wouldn’t have spread far. Therefore, it is hard to verify whether this story is true or not. Listen to the podcast to hear the remarkable story of how a Georgian candy maker started the candy cane tradition. There are many legends about why they are striped, including that they represent Jesus’ blood. However, it’s more likely that they are striped just to be festive. After all, who wants a plain white cane? Today, Bryan, Ohio is the candy cane capital of the world and 90% of candy canes are consumed by Americans. Peppermint Benefits Come from Its Constituents The whole plant is used for medicinal purposes and people prepare it as a tea and essential oil. The tea and essential oil contain the principal active ingredients of the plant: menthol, menthone, and menthyl acetate. Menthyl acetate is responsible for peppermint’s minty aroma and flavor. Menthol, peppermint’s main active ingredient, is found in the leaves and flowering tops of the plant. It provides the cool sensation of the herb. Peppermint also contains vitamins A and C, magnesium, potassium, inositol, niacin, copper, iodine, silicon, iron, and sulfur. In addition to peppermint benefits to the digestive system, it also relieves headaches. A 1996 German study showed that a 10% solution of peppermint essential oil was just as effective as 1000mg of acetaminophen in relieving headaches. Another one of peppermint benefits that the German Commission E approves is temporary relief of nasal and sinus congestion. Peppermint benefits the body in many other ways, too. One might begin to believe that peppermint is good for almost anything. It is generally safe for children and during pregnancy in moderation. It is also an easy herb to grow in any yard. However, the quality of the soil and the climate does affect the menthol levels. The post Peppermint Benefits and Uses (Holiday Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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 Egyptians and Chinese. The Ceylon variety grown in Sri Lanka (which was once called Ceylon) appears in Chinese writings as far back as 2800 BC. The Egyptians used it in their embalming spices. In the first century AD, the Roman Pliny the Elder wrote that 350 grams of cinnamon was worth more than five kilograms of silver. This means that cinnamon was an expensive and highly valued spice that only the nobles could afford, much like frankincense and myrrh. Indeed, it is said that the Roman Emperor Nero ordered that a year’s supply of cinnamon be burnt as an atonement after he murdered his second wife. In medieval times, they knew of cinnamon benefits. After all, the doctors of the day used it to treat coughs, sore throats, and hoarseness. The upper classes also used it to preserve meats. However, it was difficult to get. Only Arabs traded in cinnamon and they carefully guarded the secret of their source. Since they traveled over difficult land routes, they kept this monopoly for centuries. In addition, they loved to tell tall tales about cinnamon to deter others and to justify the high prices. Hear some of the tall tales the Arabs would tell on the podcast! Discovered by Explorers As we all know, Columbus and other explorers set out to find water routes to the far East in the late 1400’s and into the early 1500’s. They were, of course, looking for safer and faster routes to get the spices that were in great demand but expensive to buy. So, in 1518, the Portuguese found the source of Cinnamon and enslaved the island until the Dutch overthrew them in 1638. Then, the Dutch held the cinnamon monopoly for another 150 years until the British took over the island in 1784 after the fourth Anglo-Dutch war. However, the price of cinnamon had dramatically decreased by then. Other countries had discovered that they could enjoy cinnamon benefits by growing it in other parts of the world such as Java, Sumatra, Guyana, the West Indies, and other places. Today, much of the grocery store cinnamon is not true cinnamon, but a cousin called Cassia. It is cheaper and has a stronger flavor but is not as medicinal. Modern Research on Cinnamon Benefits and Uses One of the active constituents of cinnamon is cinnamaldehyde. This is what gives it its unique and delicious smell. It is also high in antioxidant polyphenols, which is why it can be used to preserve meat. Amazingly, it has more antioxidants than even garlic or oregano, according to research. Because of this, another one of the cinnamon benefits is that it is anti-inflammatory and can help lower cholesterol levels. It may also inhibit tumor cell growth and help prevent cancer. In addition, cinnamon benefits those at risk for diabetes. According to studies, cinnamon oil can help prevent Type 2 diabetes by preventing insulin resistance. Another way that cinnamon benefits those at risk for diabetes is that it can interfere with digestive enzymes, slowing the breakdown of food into glucose. Of course, it has also proven be effective against oral bacteria and respiratory fungal infections and maybe that’s why medieval doctors liked to use it for coughs and other respiratory issues. It has also traditionally been used for issues in the gastrointestinal tract, such as vomiting, flatulence, and diarrhea. Warning Cinnamon contains coumarins, which in large amounts can be problematic. The best type of cinnamon to use is the original Ceylon Cinnamon because it has less coumarins and tends to be higher in medicinal properties. Ready to dig into cinnamon? Get your FREE cinnamon recipe coloring pages by clicking HERE. The post Cinnamon Benefits and Uses (Holiday Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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 ancient cultures. But, what is it exactly and what are the benefits of frankincense for today? Historical background of frankincense Boswellia carterii and other Boswellia species produce the resin known as frankincense. These trees grow in the Middle East and in northern Africa. To get the sought-after resin, people cut a deep incision in the trunk of the tree. Then they peel off a narrow strip of bark just below it. Sap, of course, exudes from the cut and as it drips out, it hardens. The cut is deepened and more drips out and hardens. These “tears” are then scraped off and collected. Spice trade Ancient Babylonians, Assyrians, and Egyptians used Frankincense as far back as 3000 BC for religious ceremonies, including Egyptian embalming. They also used it as an ingredient in their kohl eyeliner. Many believed that the perfumes of incense carried their prayers up to the gods, regardless of their religious system. The trade of this resin made the countries of Arabia very wealthy as it fetched a price higher than gold at that time. And, they kept the true source of the spice secret so that ancient Greeks and Romans thought that it grew in Arabia. In fact, it came from the Horn of Africa. Many ancient empires tried to gain control over this incense trade and none succeeded due to the inability to master the harsh living conditions. A kingly gift Frankincense was one of the three gifts of the magi because it was a very costly gift that one would offer a king. These magi were a group of religious leaders from a northern part of Persia known as the Parthian empire. The Romans and the Parthians were intense rivals with many heated conflicts. So, when Parthian wise men appeared in a Roman occupied city looking for a king, of course Herod would be nervous. These magi had kingly gifts, had the power to select a new Parthian king, and here they were looking for the newborn king. Hmmm. Fun fact: After Sarah, Abraham’s wife died, Abraham took a second wife named Ketura. Ketura means incense. Benefits of frankincense Today, frankincense is no longer used widely in religious ceremonies. However, researchers have uncovered some interesting facts about the benefits of frankincense essential oil. This oil is derived from the collected resin but extracted using carbon dioxide not water. In Chinese medicine, frankincense has long been used to promote blood circulation and to treat inflammation, swelling, and pain. Western research shows that frankincense is effective at lowering inflammation, especially in cases of arthritis, colitis, asthma, some forms of dermatitis. It also has antitumor activity, showing activity against prostate cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer cells. Frankincense also shows antiulcer activity in studies with human gastric cells and skin cells and it protects the liver and slows aging. It also shows anti-depressive effects and, in tests with rats, it shows promise in protection against memory loss. Frankincense is still an expensive product and is not readily available in health stores. However, many online essential oil companies carry high quality products. It is definitely worth looking into. Don’t forget to check out The Secret Spice children’s book for a taste of Persian culture and a deeper look at another costly spice from the Middle East, saffron! The post Benefits of Frankincense (Holiday Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.