Going Crunchy Not Crazy: Recent Episodes
Megan Whitaker
I'm Megan Whitaker and I'm a Health Coach and Holistic Living Expert I left my job as a registered nurse in 2015 to empower and educate woman on their wellness journey. This podcast is all about the REAL Crunchy things I do and know inside and out. I want tell you what works, what doesn't and the science behind it so YOU can go crunchy WITHOUT going crazy. After years of ongoing illnesses and chronic pain, I turned my health around with lifestyle and diet changes. Now as a mom of 2 young children, I am even more passionate about living holistically, organically and being totally non-toxic for the betterment of my family.
Are you prepared for an emergency? Do you have 2 weeks of food and supplies? Where do you even start? Let's talk about it.
With concerns over Coronavirus around the world, this seemed like a perfect time go over how to prep for this and other emergencies, step-by-step.
I'll also go over some basics of this specific illness. How do researchers think it's transmitted and why does it matter? What about masks?
New Prepper Shopping ListMay be affiliate links
Organic Bulk Rice
Emergency Food Kit
Total First Aid Kit (Conventional)
Emergency Radio
Powdered Eggs
Berkey Water Filter
(my favorite tabletop filter)
Links about things discussed on this episode
Coronavirus Believed to Be Mostly Mild
Bathroom Hand Dryer Bacteria
Mask Shortage & Use Issues
Health Insurance While Crunchy: How to Deal With Medical Costs & Alternative Treatments
Tips & tricks of medical insurance (from a former nurse who has seen it all)
Get my insider secrets for everything from traditional insurance, cost-share networks, prescription costs, blood work & alternative / complementary treatments.
Did you know
- even doctors in an in-network hospital might not covered? Individual doctors are sometimes out-of-network and there's almost no way to know.
-66% of American bankruptcies list medical costs as a major factor
- your insurance likely offers a 24/7 nurse line that can save you unnecessary trips to the doctor (and unnecessary co-pays)
- you can get free (or crazy cheap) care by going to schools or co-op treatment centers
-therapy apps are no joke and seriously helped me after a traumatic event several years ago
New Crunchy Thing I Did This Week
I grabbed my ticket to PaleoFX for April 24-26 in Austin TX. (Not sponsored but it is an affiliate link) Check it out and maybe meet me for a juice in Austin!
Health Insurance While Crunchy: How to Deal With Medical Costs & Alternative Treatments
Tips & tricks of medical insurance (from a former nurse who has seen it all)
Get my insider secrets for everything from traditional insurance, cost-share networks, prescription costs, blood work & alternative / complementary treatments.
Did you know
- even doctors in an in-network hospital might not covered? Individual doctors are sometimes out-of-network and there's almost no way to know.
-66% of American bankruptcies list medical costs as a major factor
- your insurance likely offers a 24/7 nurse line that can save you unnecessary trips to the doctor (and unnecessary co-pays)
- you can get free (or crazy cheap) care by going to schools or co-op treatment centers
-therapy apps are no joke and seriously helped me after a traumatic event several years ago
New Crunchy Thing I Did This Week
I grabbed my ticket to PaleoFX for April 24-26 in Austin TX. (Not sponsored but it is an affiliate link) Check it out and maybe meet me for a juice in Austin!
Health Insurance While Crunchy: How to Deal With Medical Costs & Alternative Treatments
Tips & tricks of medical insurance (from a former nurse who has seen it all)
Get my insider secrets for everything from traditional insurance, cost-share networks, prescription costs, blood work & alternative / complementary treatments.
Did you know
- even doctors in an in-network hospital might not covered? Individual doctors are sometimes out-of-network and there's almost no way to know.
-66% of American bankruptcies list medical costs as a major factor
- your insurance likely offers a 24/7 nurse line that can save you unnecessary trips to the doctor (and unnecessary co-pays)
- you can get free (or crazy cheap) care by going to schools or co-op treatment centers
-therapy apps are no joke and seriously helped me after a traumatic event several years ago
New Crunchy Thing I Did This Week
I grabbed my ticket to PaleoFX for April 24-26 in Austin TX. (Not sponsored but it is an affiliate link) Check it out and maybe meet me for a juice in Austin!
Now that you know the science of EMF radiation & learned the known health effects from our previous episode - let's dive in & talk about how I deal with everyday cell phone, computer & WiFi exposure.
Did you know
- you can plug your smart phone in with an ethernet cable & go without WiFi
- most shielding reflects signals, which can also be dangerous if you're pointing in the wrong direction
- the best way to reduce exposure is FREE
My favorite protection gear
*may be affiliate links
DefenderShield Airtubes EarBuds
DefenderShield Cell Phone Case
Belly Armor Belly Band
Belly Armor Blanket
Dyson Hair Dryer (Warning - Crazy Expensive)
Shield Life Hair Dryer
To help unravel the research and really understand the science of electromagnetic frequency radiation, WiFi signals, and cell phone health effects, I brought on Daniel DeBaun, CEO and co-founder of DefenderShield and author of Radiation Nation: The Fallout of Modern Technology.
We dig into everything from the history of radio waves and cell phone signals to the medical research on short and long term exposure to high and low frequencies. Not sure what that means? We will explain.
Daniel has over 30 years of engineering experience in the telecommunications industry, as a leader and executive at corporations including Telcordia, AT&T and Bell Labs. He created requirements for large telecommunication systems, led technical divisions responsible for establishing industry standards and formed analysis adherence testing for next-generation digital transmission systems. He oversaw laboratories which analyzed digital signals and EMF - or electromagnetic radiation - interference. Now he helps to educate the world on the proven health risks of EMF radiation and creates innovative protects to protect your family.
Visit www.defendershield.com for more info
Is there mold on your Christmas Tree?
Are bugs hitching a ride into your house?
Is your fake tree off-gassing toxic stuff into your air?
Probably.
This episode I'm the Crunchy Grinch Who Grosses You Out About Christmas!
Learn about what the science says might be in your decorations (including your lights and ornaments) and what to do to lessen your exposure.
Studies have shown real trees may be teaming with mold! Also bugs. Many MANY kids of bugs, bug eggs and aphids. Ewwww.
Fake trees have problems too. I break down some issues including VOCs and lead.
Think the pretty lights are, at least, safe. Nope. Sorry.
From the New Crunchy Thing I Did This Week
Like being cold? Maybe you should! Check out the study.
Further Reading and Medical Studies
Mold In Trees Study
Mold In Your Tree?
Respiratory Issues
How Many Bugs Are In There?
Lead in My Twinkle Lights?
I was a terrible eater. My kids eat everything
Our food preferences are influenced by genes, senses, repeated exposure & modeling. You can avoid and even start to correct picky eating.
I had severe food aversions including texture issues. I still struggle with a lot of foods and my diet is probably more limited than your average holistic wellness professional. You'll never catch me eating an avocado but getting nutrient dense, mineral rich food is still a huge priority for me. I eat far more foods than I used to and I've been able to introduce many many more foods to my children and avoided picky eating in them.
My biggest secret? I’m the mom and I get to choose what and when they try things. No one pressured me into giving them foods.
This episode goes over:
- How I started introducing flavor before they were eating
- Why you should skip baby cereal and teething foods
- Why we don't make separate "kid" food
- How I get them to try everything
- When to let them assert some food independence
Links to the cool stuff talk about in the episode
Naked Whey Powder
Want healthy snack & travel food ideas? Check out THIS POST from my blog!
Dehydrating foods
Thanks to Lactation Labs - this season's sponsor. Use code Goingcrunchy10 for 10% off your purchase.
Virus and bacteria are very different things. Viruses aren't even really alive! A virus is basically just a piece of (nasty) DNA wrapped in protein shell. They can't replicate without YOUR cells. They dig into a cell and highjack it, convincing it to make copies of virus with your own cell material.
That makes them super hard to kill.
This episode dives into the biology of virus, how they work and what we need to fight them off.
I talk about how the immune system is essential in fighting viruses and the ways we can help boost it.
Products that I use & mention in this episode
Links may be affiliate*
Silver spray - antimicrobial and disinfectant for any surface
Bee propolis - natural immune support throat spray
Mushroom powder - mushrooms have immune boosting properties
Vit C Supplement - immune support
This week's New Crunchy Thing I Did
Protein powder! Because 24/7 breastfeeding for years on end makes me feel like I'm wasting away.
After a lot of research I picked this one. Love it so far
Thank you to this season's sponsor Lactation Lab
Want to know what's in your breastmilk? Find out the nutritional contents, vitamin levels and even heavy metal content!
Use code Goingcrunchy10 for 10% off any test kit!
Science I cite that you should check out
https://pulmccm.org/randomized-controlled-trials/oral-steroids-dont-improve-cough-due-colds-prescribed-anyway/
https://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2013/03/prednisone_works_well_for_rang.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15080016
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4848651/
This episode is all about how light from phones, screens and even indicator lights is seriously screwing with melatonin and ruining your sleep
Blue wavelengths activate special receptors in the retina, telling your brain what time it is. Specifically, blue says it's midday and you should be staying awake. LED lights in screens, phones and even little indicator lights have huge amounts of blue because it makes the light look white. Researches shows that this can impact your melatonin levels, making it harder to sleep and altering your circadian rhythm.
Here's some awesome science to check out
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2627884/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/blue-light-has-a-dark-side
https://goingcrunchynotcrazy.com/2018/03/29/blue-light-is-wrecking-your-sleep/
What can I do to fix it!?!*links may be affiliate links
F.lux is FREE
Download this for your desktop.
Glasses
Here's the TrueDarks I have for night time viewing
And the daytime TrueDarks that I'm lusting after
LED indicator and small screen covers
This week's New Crunchy Thing I Did
Bentonite clay mask did not go well for me. I'm too sensitive.
But Mushrooms are AMAZING
Check out these cool products that I'm using (& LOVING).
Four Sigmatic
This company is incredible. The founder seriously knows his stuff, is committed to quality and education, and his stuff is freaking delicious. Try the Mushroom Hot Chocolate.
I've been dying my hair red for a decade. Unfortunately hair dye is a giant toxic chemical soup that I want to avoid. So now I use henna - which looks incredible btw.
This episode digs into why you should investigate what's in YOUR products and how to do it with resources like Skin Deep Cosmetics Database from EWG.org.
Have you heard of the fragrance loophole? Companies DO NOT have to list ANY ingredient that is considered a "trade secret."
That means ANYTHING could be in your product. And no. They have not all been tested for safety. Less than 20% of all chemicals used today have been extensively studied. Read this from the EWG. Seriously.
Henna and natural hair dyes
Lush (this is what I use in Rouge)
Blonde Henna (affiliate link)
My Youtube video of henna
We have 30+ TRILLION bacteria in our gut. And probiotics claiming to "fix" our guts and support our digestion are everywhere. But do we need them? Are they really helpful?
Let's dive into what we can really do to support our good bacteria.
Things I talk about in this episode
- Research has shown that GBS in pregnant women can be potentially treated or reduced by L. reuteri and L. rhamnosus
- B. infantis is disappearing in infants. Serval companies including Evivo have a B. infantis probiotic.
- B. infantis prefers breastmilk to any other food
- Probiotics may be helpful for adults with IBS or when taking antibiotics
- Healthy adults get limited benefits from probiotics
- Eating fermented foods and prebiotic foods (fiber) can help support the bacteria you already have
- Filtering your water can help keep your gut bacteria alive
What's in your water? Find out free here
Fermented food basics
Research I mention
Infant bacteria
https://msphere.asm.org/content/3/2/e00041-18
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5450358/
Probiotics for Autism
https://www.newswise.com/articles/study-launched-on-probiotics-to-help-treat-gi-issues-and-improve-aberrant-behavior-in-autistic-children
Probiotics for IBS
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5879520/
This episode digs into what the microbiome really is, what it does for us & how it develops.
Obesity, asthma, food allergies and behavioral disorders have all been linked to problems with the gut and our bacteria.
You have several POUNDS of bacteria living in your gut. And if they disappeared you would die! Your bacteria are essential to your health.
There are nearly 40 TRILLION bacteria in your gut. That's about a billion bugs per millimeter.
*Some links may be referral links
Things I discuss in this episode that you should check out
Missing Microbes by Dr. Martin Blaser
Evivo Probiotic (Bifidobacterium infantis)
Bio-Kult Infant Probiotic
Scientific research
Vaginal seeding for c-sections -
https://www.nature.com/news/scientists-swab-c-section-babies-with-mothers-microbes-1.19275
FDA Says Don't Use Antibacterial Soap -
https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm378393.htm
This episode is the 1st in the 3 part Microbiome series
Let's talk Gut Health!
Part 1 dives into gut testing! I tried 2 companies with very different results. I go into all the details and tell you why getting your gut tested can be so important and useful (assuming you chose a good company).
FYI - This episode was not directly sponsored. While looking for testing options to discus at an upcoming conference, I tried one company, who shall remain nameless, that I didn't love. So I reached out to Verisana Labs to try their test. They provided me a test for free and agreed to sponsor just that speaking engagement, but there's no agreement for me to post about them or discuss them here. But I really liked the test! So I had to talk about it!
Here's 1 page from my results. This is my happy perfect page.
If you want to hear about some of my not so perfect numbers, check out the episode.
If you're interested in the test I tried check out Verisana Labs here Use referral code - ME5VE for 5% off all orders
The American Academy of Pediatrics just released an official Policy Statement on Food Additives & Child Health. It was a pretty bold & negative review of how the FDA is currently doing in regards to keeping our food safe, especially for children.
I break down and explain the statement and attached technical report. And I give you all the tips and tricks you need to avoid these hazards.
I'll go over everything from BPA / plasticizers to bacteria & hygiene issues in food containers.
The AAP's full report can be found here
Easy swaps from plastics blog post
The Life Without Plastic Store
(it's a whole site devoted to living without plastic & yes, it's an affiliate link)
We got rid of our microwave in 2015. People have a LOT of questions about why we did and how we live without it.
This episode deals with the science of microwaves and tips and tricks for going microwave free (or at least microwave safe).
The (very) basic science
Microwaves are a type of electromagnetic radiation.
Microwaves radiation = non-ionizing radiation - think of it as non-radioactive. Non-ionizing radiation doesn’t knock electrons off atoms.
Ionizing radiation can alter atoms which cause damage to cells - this how radioactive material causes death from massive cellular damage but things like X-rays which are less powerful but still ionizing can be used in moderation.
Microwaves have three basic characteristics - they are reflected by metal; they can pass through things like glass, paper, and plastic; and they excite and heat water molecules.
Federal Standards
A Federal standard limits the amount of microwaves that can leak from an oven throughout its lifetime to 5 milliwatts (mW) of microwave radiation per square centimeter at approximately 2 inches from the oven surface. This limit is far below the level known to harm people. Microwave energy also decreases dramatically as you move away from the source of radiation. A measurement made 20 inches from an oven would be approximately 1/100th of the value measured at 2 inches from the oven.
The standard also requires all ovens to have two independent interlock systems that stop the production of microwaves the moment the latch is released or the door is opened. In addition, a monitoring system stops oven operation in case one or both of the interlock systems fail.
All ovens must have a label stating that they meet the safety standard. In addition, the FDA requires that all ovens have a label explaining precautions for use. This requirement may be dropped if the manufacturer has proven that the oven will not exceed the allowable leakage limit even if used under the conditions cautioned against on the label.
Plastics
- bisphenol-A (BPA) are added to make clear, hard plastic
- phthalates are added to make plastic soft and flexible
BPA and phthalates are believed to be "endocrine disrupters." These are substances that mimic human hormones in the body.
Heating plastic releases these chemicals, which can then settle in your food.
Studies and science to check out
Effects of microwaves on breastmilk
Harvard on microwaves and plastics
NIH on hormone disruptors from heated plastic
Protecting yourself in the summer can be tricky. You want to avoid sunburns and nasty bug bites, but the chemicals in the products that protect you can impact your body in negative ways.
Topics I'll cover in this episode include
- Chemical sunscreen vs mineral sunscreen
- Why "natural mineral" sunscreens may not be the answer
- Endocrine disruptors in products
- Easy ways to protect yourself without toxins
- The problem with bug sprays
- Natural bug repellants for your body, house and yard
I swam competitively for over a decade then worked as a lifeguard before becoming a swim instructor for 2 years. I battled the typical green hair and dry skin issues. But during my time teaching swim lessons, I got chlorine poisoning.
Chlorine pools can be dangerous if the chemicals are not mixed properly, if ventilation is poor and for small children who are closure to the water surface.
Just last year 5 people who rushed to the hospital after chlorine was mixed incorrectly at a public pool and 50 people were taken ill at an indoor water park with poor ventilation.
This goes for baths and showers too! Most city water is chlorinated.
Chlorine safety tips include
- avoiding indoor pools
- shower before and after
- rinse with vitamin c after swimming
- filter showers and bath water at home
Earthing, also known as grounding, is the method of discharging positive energy that is stored in the body back into the Earth.
We have surrounded ourselves with electricity and now have rubber shoes, insulated homes and cars and we walk on concrete paths. This has created a positively charged world and positively charged bodies.
Earthing discharges this energy and puts your body back to neutral.
This episode talks about how it works, why it works and easy hacks to Earth even inside. But most importantly, I talk about why discharging this energy is important for overall health.
For more information on this and other topics, check out www.GoingCrunchyNotCrazy.com
Stuff I talk about in this episode
Earthing book
Earthing mat
Earthing sheet
(these are affiliate links!)
Welcome to the Going Crunchy Not Crazy Podcast!
I'm Megan Whitaker a former nurse turned hippie mom, health coach and holistic living expert.
On the first ever episode I give you an introduction into my crunchy journey and talk about the importance of taking control of your wellness.
I'm a health speaker and blogger at www.GoingCrunchyNotCrazy.com and I work with women who want to detoxify their environments, learn about health and take control of their wellness.
But education and information wants to be free! So here I am walking you through all the things I do and know inside and out. It's taken me decades and 2 college degrees to amass all this knowledge and I want to share it with you!