Food Freedom and Fertility Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to another episode of the Food, Freedom, and Fertility podcast. Caitlin and Sophia chat about the purpose of this podcast and why they stray away from controversial fertility and political topics.

When the podcast first launched it was at the beginning stages of the COVID pandemic. With shutdowns in place, vaccine pressure, isolation and mandatory work from home orders it was a difficult time for many. 

The podcast has been releasing valuable information on PCOS, endometriosis, hypothalamic amenhorhea and more. Both Caitlin and Sophia chat about how important it is for them to be on your side and help you get those positive two lines despite the current political climate. 

The two of them go over controversial topics they have discussed and ones that they feel does not matter in terms of trying to conceive, finding out what labs to order, advocating for your overall fertility health and eventually getting that big fat positive!

They hope this episode gives insight on why they started the podcast, what they want others to take away from the podcast and how they can help you with your fertility goals!

Thank you to our Season 5 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount.

• MyFertilityCloud: $25 off first appointment with link: https://myfertilitycloud.com/PCOS-Nutrition

• FullWell: FullWell is offering our listeners 20% off your first order by using our code FFF20. Head to their website for more information on their products.

• Tempdrop has generously offered our listeners 15% with code FFF15 at checkout! Click right here for the discount! Or copy and paste https://www.tempdrop.com/ Tempdrop is not an approved contraceptive and can be used as a fertility awareness tool. Since the recording of this episode, Tempdrop has adjusted its pricing to make the device more accessible. The discount code discussed (FFF15) is still active; however, it now provides 10% off the base price of a Tempdrop device.

You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

Welcome to another episode of the Food, Freedom, and Fertility podcast. Caitlin and Sophia chat in depth about Caitlin choosing to take a GLP-1.

GLP-1's are growing in popularity around the country for being a medication to help aid weight loss. Sometimes called glucagon-like peptide-1 and is a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate blood sugar, one's appetite and help digestion. 

The medications people are being prescribed and are taking are called GLP-1 agonists copy its effects to manage Type 2 diabetes and obesity by increasing insulin release, reducing appetite and slowing stomach emptying. 

Caitlin goes in depth on how she came to this decision of taking a GLP-1, her dosage she is comfortable with, what her goals are going to be on the drug and how it's impacting her currently. 

Thank you to our Season 5 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount.

• MyFertilityCloud: $25 off first appointment with link: https://myfertilitycloud.com/PCOS-Nutrition

• FullWell: FullWell is offering our listeners 20% off your first order by using our code FFF20. Head to their website for more information on their products.

• Tempdrop has generously offered our listeners 15% with code FFF15 at checkout! Click right here for the discount! Or copy and paste https://www.tempdrop.com/ Tempdrop is not an approved contraceptive and can be used as a fertility awareness tool. Since the recording of this episode, Tempdrop has adjusted its pricing to make the device more accessible. The discount code discussed (FFF15) is still active; however, it now provides 10% off the base price of a Tempdrop device.

You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

Welcome to another episode of our summer season! Host Caitlin Johnson wants to talk specifically to the PCOS girlies! She reads a chapter from her upcoming book breaking down what PCOS is and how it impacts fertility. 

This episode is great if you have been struggling trying to understand why you got your PCOS diagnosis, if you are concerned about not conceiving month after month, wondering how PCOS can impact your future and so much more. 

In this episode Caitlin breaks down how PCOS is diagnosed, why it's important to get your labs checked, learning how to track your cycle and more.

Thank you to our fabulous summer season sponsor Tempdrop! Both Caitlin and Sophia have used Tempdrop to track their ovulation with their wearable device! Tempdrop is easy to use and only takes a couple of steps to track and monitor your fertile window! 

Before you go to sleep, press the drop-shaped button to turn on your Tempdrop sensor. Place the band on your upper arm and leave it on throughout the night. Remove once you are up for the day and sync with the Tempdrop app whenever convenient. Track your symptoms to verify ovulation and learn about your cycle phases. View the chart and interpret your results. Upgrade to premium for automatic interpretation! 

Tempdrop is all about supporting individuals connecting with their bodies. One of their goals is to support and make things more accessible while trying to conceive, rather than replacing existing methods.

Tempdrop has generously offered our listeners 15% with code FFF15 at checkout! Click right here for the discount! Or copy and paste https://www.tempdrop.com/ Since the recording of this episode, Tempdrop has adjusted its pricing to make the device more accessible. The discount code discussed (FFF15) is still active; however, it now provides 10% off the base price of a Tempdrop device.

These summer episodes will be shorter than our normal episodes and are meant to give little bites of information! We hope you love getting them weekly and be sure to follow us on Instagram and watch our podcast on Youtube! 

Click right here to catch up on all of our previous episodes on Youtube! You can also find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

In this episode of Food, Freedom and Fertility, we discuss God's Design for Sex and how to hold the goodness sex brings marriages during the hard season. We delve into the topics of sex and intimacy, challenges when trying to conceive and exploring a deeper understanding of connection within relationships. We have Francie Winslow, host of Heaven in Your Home Podcast that talks about sex, marriage and the mission of God. 

The discussion begins with Francie sharing her personal story of her relationship wiht god and  the concept of purity and the potential challenges faced by individuals who struggle to embrace their sexuality after marriage, leading to feelings of disconnection and how to get through those. Francie invites listeners to consider God's purpose and intent for intimacy, drawing inspiration from the biblical account of Adam and Eve. The idea that becoming "one flesh" extends beyond physical union is explored, highlighting the notion that fruitful living encompasses bringing forth goodness and benefiting the world through intimate connections.

Moving forward, the episode discusses how sex can feel more like a job or chore within the infertility community. Caitlin and Francie also discuss intimacy with your partner and offer practical thoughts for those who feel exhausted or stuck in a sexual rut. The importance of viewing intimacy in a broader context is emphasized, with an emphasis on understanding that sex is more than a mere act. Genuine connection, vulnerability, and prioritizing one's unashamed, authentic self are vital aspects of nurturing and nourishing each other in a relationship.This concept can get lost when a couple's focus is trying to conceive. 

The discussion continues by stressing the significance of building and maintaining connection and intimacy, particularly during challenging seasons. Practical tips for jump-starting marital connections are shared, aiming to reignite passion and intimacy. Shifting gears, the podcast delves into a candid conversation about female pleasure, providing insights into women's anatomy, such as the clitoris, and the importance of understanding individual preferences and pacing in order to experience pleasure. The episode mentions resources like Bonnie Burns' book "Unlock Your Orgasm," which offers guidance on enhancing intimacy and exploring pleasure within relationships.

Concluding the episode, the focus turns to nurturing intimacy during pregnancy when individuals may not feel their most beautiful. Francie and Caitlin disucss various ways to build intimacy during this transformative period, encouraging listeners to explore the different facets of connection beyond physical appearance.

Overall, this episode serves as an enlightening and thought-provoking exploration of sex, intimacy, and connection, encouraging listeners to stay connected during the more difficlt times. 

If you would like to learn more about Francie Winsow you can visit her website: www.FrancieWinslow.com

Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount.

• Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15  
• FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal
• The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20%

You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses a birth story and if this is something you would like to skip over please feel free to do so.

Last week on Food, Freedom and Fertility Sophia shared what her TTC journey looked like and this week Sophia we delve into the story of baby Jenny's birth. We hear about the ups and downs of her pregnancy, the preparations she made, and the moments that led up to the birth of her child.

Sophia takes us through her journey, sharing her emotions and experiences along the way. She talks about the excitement and nervousness she felt as her due date approached, and the different strategies she used to manage her thoughts. As the story unfolds, we hear about the challenges Sophia faced during labor, and the ways in which she coped with the pain and uncertainty. We learn about the support she received from her partner, God,  and her birthing team, and the important role they played in helping her through the birthing process.

Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount.

• Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15  
• FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal
• The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20%

You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

Today's on Food Freedom and Fertility Sophia shares her trying to conceive journey. Sophia has helped so many families conceive in her career she and Caitlin thought it would be fun to turn the tables and share one of their stories.  Tune in to learn how Sophia and Caitlin met along with details about Sophia and her TTC journey even as far back as her early pre-pubescent years. Most listeners will be surprised by some of the experiences Sophia has had as a prenatal nutritionist. She is also dives deep in to her journey as a military spouse and how her and her husband started their family.

Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount.

• Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15  
• FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal
• The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20%

You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

On this week's episode of Food Freedom and Fertility we are going to discuss Interstitial Cystitis and Fertility with Callie Krajcir, RDN, Nutrition Coach. Callie has lived with IC since she was very young.  Elementary through college her symptoms would cause her pain and put her on a rollercoaster of emotions as she continued to see a variety of doctors who did not know what was wrong with her. During college she tried a variety of treatment methods and learned to advocate for herself because doctors would eventually give up. She felt isolated and learned how to alleviate a lot of her symptoms through her diet. She entered the field of nutrition in hopes of being able to help others suffering from the same condition.

Today, Callie shares with us her story and her symptoms, which started with burning while urinating. She also helps provide insight to what a flare up could look and feel like and how it affects her personal life and how to be a supportive partner/friend to someone who maybe suffering with IC. She also shares how her journey about how nutrition helps keep her symptoms minimal and exactly what foods and other triggers that can be bothersome for IC.

IC is somewhat of a taboo topic because some people feel awkward with the discussion but 4-8 million women and 1-3 million men have IC in the US. There are subtypes of IC and Callie helps break down the differences.  The onset of IC is more common around the age of 30-40. Callie shares a quick list of foods that may cause a flare up and also supplements that can support IC patients, along with suggestions of what type of treatment team would be helpful. She also shares strategies that can be put into place to help with sex.

If you or someone you may know maybe suffering from IC, please visit Callie's website: https://www.callieknutrition.com to learn more. Callie has a signature program that is called Road to Remission, which she teaches about IC and nutrition After the 6 months of the program (Identifying diet triggers, elimination diets, etc.) the client gets a lifetime membership to the program. IC is a condition that requires a lot of community and support. When in Callie's program people feel as if a 50lb weight have fallen off their shoulders which helps them in the mental health arena as well as reducing the stress response in their bodies associated with that stress.

You can find more information about Callie at the following links below:

Website: https://www.callieknutrition.com

IG: CallieKnutrition

Podcast: ICYou Podcast 

Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount.

• Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15  
• FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal
• The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20%

You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

Welcome to Food, Freedom and Fertility. Today we have Diana Rodgers. She is a dietitian and the author of Sacred Cow. She is an expert on the intersection of nutrition and sustainable agriculture.

One thing in her book that she discusses is that there are there are three separate buckets: nutrition, environment, and ethics. They are separate butintricately intertwined. Those buckets are:

1.     Nutrition

2.     Environment

3.     Ethics

Diana shares how they chose the bucket topics and how the order was chosen. In her book, Sacred Cow she does a wonderful job explaining it in the most understandable way. You can find her book HERE  

We have all heard the rumor that "Americans eat too much meat", well Diana debunks that myth and shares some other shocking numbers with the listeners and she also explains the optimal amount of protein needed and why beef is such a great option. She also explains why meat is so important in fulfilling your micronutrient dietary needs. She likes to use Chronometer to track micronutrients. You can find the Cronometer HERE.

Another topic that comes up often is that red meat is considered a carcinogenic. She breaks down the scale of how the rating compares to other daily activities and the percentages so that listeners can make an informed decision on if the value of red meat outweighs the risk. Spoiler alert… Diana, Caitlin and Sophia all agree that red meat has some extremely wonderful prosperities that our bodies need especially when TTC or breastfeeding.

Should you spend the extra money on grass fed beef? Today's episode covers this topic from a nutritional perspective and an ethical standpoint.  Diana shares her advice on what you should be eating if you are trying to conceive. She recommends fatty fish, eggs, and fatty cuts of meat. 4-6 oz of meat three times per day, or 30 grams of protein per day. Cronometer is important to keep track of your dietary intake.

If you enjoyed this episode you can find Diana Rodgers and would like to learn more you cna find her at the following:

Website: https://www.sacredcow.info/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sustainabledish/

Amazon: Watch in your Amazon Prime Video App

Other show links:

Cronometer

Sacred Cow book

Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount.

• Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15  
• FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal
• The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20%

You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

Welcome to another episode of Food Freedom and Fertility. This week we have Robyn Johnson, RD as a guest to discuss minerals and hormonal health. Robyn's expertise is as follows:

·      Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

·      Bachelor of Science from University of Nebraska

·      Master of Science from Kansas University Medical Center

·      Trainings in clinical nutrition, women's health, skin health
and functional & integrative medicine therapies

This is a very educational episode as Robyn and our hosts discuss the way minerals work in your body, specifically focused on hormonal health.

Robyn's journey with Rayvi started when she created a mineral mocktail that went viral on social media and she realized there so many people need to give attention to their mineral intake. Robyn wanted to help deliver a nutritious solution to match clinical needs with convenience. After working with clients for years, she has seen first-hand how powerful optimizing mineral intake can be. From supporting energy levels, to gut health, skin and hormones, minerals are foundational to good health.

Robyn shares with us how minerals work in the body. Minerals allow all the signals in the body to work, without them…body signals would not be able to communicate properly and for the most part… we don't make the minerals our body needs, we should be getting them from our food intake but with the stress of daily life and the declining levels of minerals in our food supply majority of us are deficient and our cells (and health) are left to struggle.

During this episode as we discuss different minerals and all that surrounds them, keep in mind that majority of the studies done to test the soil quality are not current, most of the studies were completed in the 1970's so the data isn't up to date.

Sodium is a feared mineral but Robyn helps clear up myths about it and also shares with you some symptoms that point to mineral imbalance. Some of those symptoms are: fatigue, afternoon crashes, constipation, feeling puffing, and drinking water but still feeling puffy. She also discusses the difference between trace mineral drops and Rayvi. Rayvi is Robyn's company that makes mineral intake easy. It supports energy and vitality by properly hydrating your cells and providing an antioxidant boost. If you are unfamiliar with trace mineral drops, they have a little bit of a lot of minerals where as Rayvi has a lot of potassium and focuses on macro minerals. Rayvi also has high standards in place, such as ingredients are sourced from regenative farms, that are taking care of the land and the soil. Rayvi's current flavors include Hibiscus Raspberry, Passion Pineapple and Ginger Turmeric. An at home DIY mineral cocktail could be: Coconut water, pinches of salt, splash of cranberry.

Minerals in relation to  trying to conceive, pregnancy and men's health is a hot topic and this episode supplies info on all of those areas. Robyn explains why it is hard to overdose on minerals why you are pregnant. It also shares tips about how minerals can help any vomiting during pregnancy and other helpful facts. As a breastfeeding mother it is important to ensure you have quality mineral absorption as your needs are high because breastfeeding is a demanding process, hydration is boosted by proper minerals which allows you to produce milk. You are your babies entire nutrient support  as a breastfeeding mother. Robyn also discusses how minerals affect the sex hormones and how certain levels of minerals can fluctuate your hormones.

Water carries a lot of minerals in it so this is broken down for you so that you can understand the quality of minerals in your drinking water. It all depends on your water source and your city. Certain water filters should be chosen to minimize contaminates but you must be careful and research your water source because some filters can also filter out minerals and you will need to replace them. To learn more about your local water check out the EWG tap water data base. You can also have your water tested through the company Simply Water.

While listening to this episode you will ask yourself… how can I be more proactive in choosing foods that might also be helpful in my mineral status… well don't worry! That question is answered. The easiest way to remember is : Roots and Fruits! We all know fruits but these are some great roots to include in your diet:  potatoes, beets, carrots, rutabagas, turnips, parsnips, and squashes. If you can source your veggies and fruit from nutrient dense soil that will help your mineral intake as well. Animal based foods will help your mineral intake along with adding brewer's yeast, coco powder or bee pollen to recipes, smoothies and meals.

If you would like to try out the Rayvi products checkout the links below and be sure to try out some of their at home mineral mocktail recipes. However, if you feel like you are running on survival mode and have some of the symptoms discussed in this episode you should consider talking to a medical professional for additional help.

Connect with Rayvi: 

• Website: www.RayviShop.com Use Code FFF10 for a special discount
• Rayvi Recipe guide: https://rayvishop.com/pages/recipe-guide
• Mineral mocktail guide with at home recipes: https://www.nutritionbyrobyn.com/mineral-mocktail-freebie

Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount.

• Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15  
• FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal
• The Prenatal Nutrition Library: FFF20 20%

You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility

Welcome to our 100th episode of the Food Freedom and Fertility podcast. We celebrate this episode with the one and only Cassy Joy Garcia who is a recipe developer.

Cassy Joy Garcia, a New York Times best-selling author, of Cook Once Dinner Fix, Cook Once Eat All Week, and Fed and Fit as well as the creative force behind the popular food blog Fed & Fit. Eager to share her healthy living secrets with the world, she started Fed & Fit in 2011. Since then, she became a holistic nutrition consultant and transitioned her personal blog into a tremendously supportive and nimble online wellness editorial, backed by a small but mighty team of writers, researchers, and editors. After realizing that her own struggles to get a healthy homemade dinner on the table overlapped with the same struggles experienced by her readers, she decided that there must be a better way. The Cook Once method was born and it has revolutionized how people cook. Cassy currently resides in San Antonio, TX with her husband and three children.

During this episode Cassy describes the difference from her earlier books and her most current but she also shares with us some of her helpful tips in the kitchen. Some tips such as how to make a budget go further in the grocery store and how to store your foods so they last longer.

She also helps you understand the difference between batch cooking vs meal prepping and breaks it down so that it is palatable for the novice at home cook. Cassy shares numerous resources to help you figure out how to shop once and eat all week.

Cassy shares that a quick and easy win in the kitchen when you just don't feel like you aren't doing enough is KEEP IT SIMPLE. You do not have to dive into the most difficult recipe, keep it exciting, fun and easy… making it doable for you is the most important part.  

Majority of Cassy's at home cooking is doing with the stove and oven, however a lot of her recipes on her site and in her book explain how to use other kitchen gadgets such as an air fryer or toaster oven. She also shares some special fridge hacks on how to not let food go to waste.

Cassy and Caitlin emphasize during this episode how important it is to stay true to yourself and acknowledge what you are capable of so that you do not get stressed trying to do too much all at once in the kitchen. For those of you currently TTC or you are pregnant (yay) Cassy shares that eating a colorful meal was her goal during that time in her life and even now as she helps create nutritious meals for her cookbooks, website and her own children.

The goal at Fed and Fit, is to simplify wellness through quick and tasty recipes, unbiased, easy-to-understand nutrition and fitness advice, and simple swaps for safer home and beauty.

If you loved this episode and want to find out more information on Cassy Joy Garcia and all of her delicious books and recipes head over to www.FEDANDFIT.com  You can also sign up HERE for some free meal plans!  Or find her on IG at fedandfit

Thank you to our Season 2 Sponsors. Be sure to use the code on their site for a Food, Freedom and Fertility discount.

• Proov Testing Kit and online app 15% OFF in $15 or more FFF15  
• FullWell: FFF10 10% pre-natal, fish oil or men's pre-natal
• Prenatal nutrition library: FFF20 20%

You can find us on IG at FoodFreedomFertility