Crunchy Christian Podcast

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Crunchy Christian Podcast with Julie Polanco, MHWelcome to Crunchy Christian Podcast with Julie Polanco, MH!

Every other Friday on the Crunchy Christian Podcast, Master Herbalist and veteran Christian unschooler, Julie Polanco, shares about all things green and growing that God gave us.

Become more self-reliant as you listen to Julie share lessons from her years of growing and preserving all things green.

Learn historic uses and preparations of roots, seeds, stems, bark, leaves, and flowers from across God’s Creation.

And grow in your knowledge of the gifts God has given us through His Creation.

A bit more about Julie

Julie is a veteran homeschooling mother of four and Gigi to one special little granddaughter. She wrote two books for homeschooling families. These books include God Schooling: How God Intended Children to Learn and 100 Ways to Motivate Kids. She also wrote a high school botany curriculum and two books in the Talking with Plants botany unit studies series for ages 8-12. In addition, Julie has written two studies in the Faith Journeys Bible study series and offers several courses in her Milkweed School.

She trained in herbalism with the School of Natural Healing. And, she trained in aromatherapy at the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy. These are the two oldest western style training schools in the United States. In addition, Julie is a National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) Level 1 Certified Aromatherapist. Visit her website, Julie Naturally, for more information about how she can equip you to enjoy greater wellness and teach your children about plants and health. You can also book a 15-minute herbal consultation with her at Heal.me.

Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.

Crunchy Christian Podcast
Crunchy Christian Podcast
Julie Polanco

Crunchy Christian Podcast with Julie Polanco, MH

Medical Disclaimer

Sometimes Julie discusses herbal and aromatherapy remedies. She offers the content of the Crunchy Christian Podcast, whether post or page, including text, graphics, images, or information contained in text or audio, or other content, on an informational basis only. No content is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice and guidance of a qualified health professional before:

  • Stopping any medication or treatment protocol you are currently using.
  • Changing or making any adjustment to any medication or treatment protocol you are currently using.
  • Starting any new medication or treatment protocol, whether or not Julie discussed it on the Crunchy Christian Podcast, page or post on this website.
  • Information on this site is informational and not as specifically applicable to any individual’s medical problem(s), concerns and/or needs.
  • The FDA has not evaluated these products and they are not intended to treat or prevent disease.

When Julie discusses herbs or essential oils, she is not claiming that the product will cure any of these problems or disorders. She is merely reporting that her family and others have used the product to aid these conditions.

Crunchy Christian Podcast Episodes

How to Relieve Stress Naturally With These Easy Helps

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 […]

How to Stop Emotional Eating Right Now With These Simple Steps

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 […]

Emotional eating effects that shorten your life!

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 […]

The Nasty Truth About Roots of Emotional Eating

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 […]

9 Best Fertility Herbs for Happy New Parents

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 […]

Natural Remedies for Breast Cysts You Need Now!

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 What […]

Banish Painful Periods Forever With These Tips

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 […]

How to Get Fast, Natural Relief for Hot Flashes

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 […]

7+ simple natural yeast infection remedies for you to try

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 […]

Easy Tips For How to Help PMS Symptoms Improve

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 […]

Amazing Sage Uses and Benefits Beyond the Crockpot

Sage is a wonderful garden plant with which you may not be familiar. Listen in as Julie discusses historic and modern sage uses.

Do You Know These Rosemary Uses Beyond Cooking?

Do 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.

Surprising Calendula Uses for More than Skin

Discover Calendula uses for more than just skin on this podcast with Julie.

Fun Catnip Uses for Humans You Need to Know

Catnip is a popular herb for a bit of fun with our cats, but do you know catnip uses for humans?

Amazing Benefits of Lemon Balm for Everyday

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.

10+ Important Lavender Uses You Can’t Live Without

Listen to the podcast this week to hear how lavender uses turned the economy around in one American small town.

Thyme Uses and Benefits to Your Health You Need

Welcome to the Crunchy Christian Podcast! Join Julie Polanco on this episode as she talks about Thyme uses and benefits, from ancient history to modern discoveries.

Oregano Uses: Do You Know Them All?

In this episode, Julie discusses common and not so common oregano uses. Join her to discover culinary and medicinal oregano uses along with some growing tips.

Can a Health Coach Help You Achieve Your Goals?

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. […]

Easy Postpartum Exercise Tips for New Moms

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 […]

Food Shortage? Not If You Eat Wild!

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.

Honoring Your Body Through Fitness

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 […]

Embracing an Herbal Lifestyle: Some Insights

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 […]

How to Control Blood Sugar Naturally

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 […]

5+ Ways of How Sugar Affects the Body

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 […]

The Low Down on Artificial Sweeteners

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 […]

Cinnamon Benefits and Uses

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 […]

Peppermint Benefits and Uses

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 […]

Pine Tree Symbolism and Uses

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 […]

Holly Symbolism and Benefits

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 […]

Mistletoe Secrets

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 […]

Benefits of Myrrh

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 […]

Benefits of Frankincense

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 […]

Benefits of Cod Liver Oil: Grandma’s Super Food

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 […]

Super Food Mushroom Benefits for a Strong Immune Defense

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 […]

Benefits of Super G’s

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 […]

Benefits of Super Greens

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 […]

What Are Superfoods and Why You Should Eat Them

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 […]

Purslane Uses and Benefits

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 […]

Chicory Uses and Benefits

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 […]

Shepherds Purse Uses and Benefits

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, […]

Plantain Uses and Benefits

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 […]

Sassafras Uses and Benefits

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. […]

Chickweed Uses and Benefits

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 […]

Red Clover Uses and Benefits

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 […]

Dandelion Uses and Benefits

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, […]

Natural Summer Foot Care

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 […]

Natural Hydration Drinks for Summer

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 run the […]

Herbal First Aid Essentials

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 […]

Natural Remedies for Bug Bites

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 Sunburn

Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she discusses natural remedies for sunburn. She talks about both protecting your skin and helping your skin heal. Natural Remedies for Sunburn Conditioning the Skin There are ways to prevent sunburn besides avoiding the sun. In fact, we shouldn’t avoid sunlight altogether since we […]

Natural Ways to Fight Inflammation

Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she discusses natural ways to fight inflammation that makes our noses, ears, and throats all itchy during allergy season. Natural Ways to Fight Inflammation A bit about histamines Since the sneezing and itching associated with seasonal allergies are caused by histamines, this episode is […]

Fight Allergies Naturally with Herbs and Essential Oils

Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she discusses how to fight allergies naturally with herbs and essential oils. Fight Allergies Naturally! Before talking about herbs and essential oils, please remember that all information shared is for educational purposes only. This discussion about the historical and personal uses of herbs and […]

Help with Seasonal Allergies

Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she discusses help with seasonal allergies using non-medicinal methods.

The Link Between Diet and Seasonal Allergies

Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she shares her personal story and lessons about the link between diet and seasonal allergies. The Link Between Diet and Seasonal Allergies Julie’s Personal Story First, Julie shares her long struggle to overcome allergies, including seasonal ones. Julie’s journey began with undiagnosed food allergies […]

Four Ways for Food to Grow Indoors

Today, on Crunchy Christian Podcast, Julie talks about four ways for food to grow indoors. Maybe you live in an apartment, have a small yard or patio, or your region allows for only a short growing season. Here are some ways to maximize your ability to grow your own food. You may not be able […]

How to Start Composting

Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she shares how to start composting. Composting is a great way to recycle the way that God recycles! How to start composting What is compost? What are the types? Compost is basically decomposed waste matter from animals or plants. It is a major component […]

Get Started on Square Foot Gardening

Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she shares how to get started with square foot gardening. This method is one of the most popular ways for beginning gardeners to grow food successfully. Square foot gardening can be customized to suit any size yard and any type of plant. How to […]

How to Start Your Garden in a Small Space: 5 Easy Tips

Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she shares how to start a garden in a small space. Growing food in a small space brings special challenges that owners of larger pieces of land don’t have to deal with. What if you live in an apartment, townhouse, or condo? What if you own a small city lot, like Julie does? How can you still enjoy the benefits of growing your own food?

What is Crunchy Christian Podcast About?

Join Julie Polanco as she shares what Crunchy Christian Podcast is all about. It all started in a vacant lot down the street where common weeds became her sanctuary. Find out how the Vine of the Gospel of John beautifully wove plants into Julie’s story and what you can expect each week on the new Crunchy Christian Podcast.

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