Are you crunchy?
I didn’t even realize I was until my brother was visiting me last week.
He was laughing at all the changes I’ve made in our home
Especially at my refusal to use the microwave.
He told me that I was a hippie.
I had seen the term “crunchy” over the last couple months,
yet had never taken the time to look at what it meant.
So I decided to look it up last week.
I had to laugh.
This is the yahoo answer I came across
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090820085019AAbnz9A
That didn’t satisfy my search though,
as the term “hippie” seemed too general.
I then ran across this blog post from last year.
http://www.crunchysavings.com/2011/04/what-does-crunchy-mean/
I was sold.
I gladly stated that I was CRUNCHY!
So how did I get here?
About 2 years ago,
I found out that I was allergic to all dairy products.
The allergy brought out horrible eczema,
that wrecked havoc on my hands for over a year.
I had to eliminate all dairy from my diet.
That is not easy to do I found out quickly.
So during the last 2 years,
I have read and searched all types of allergens.
What causes them and how to avoid them.
I’ve met women that were willing to share their
views and opinions with me on going “green”.
I had already been recycling as much of our trash as possible,
Longed to have a garden, cooked from scratch, etc.
So in many ways I was already on my way.
I have always struggled with my acne.
There has NEVER been any product that I could count on to use.
I came across a brand new company called “Alex + Von”
which is a unique boutique that represents several brands of products.
All being natural.
Suki is what was recommended to me,
do to my acne issues.
Since I already knew my skin was sensitive,
because of my milk allergy.
I figured maybe it would respond better to
all natural ingredients than chemicals.
Unbelievably it worked!
I was shocked and amazed!
I was so happy!
At almost 30 I was sure I would always have to deal with my acne.
From there I went on to change all of the products
in my bathroom to all natural.
Alex + Von provides 100% Pure as a all natural makeup
and bath products which I LOVE!
Their mascara even SMELLS yummy!
They then brought on Original Moxie for all natural hair products.
Which is tailored to fit your hair in 3 different categories!
Brilliant!
After changing all of our bathroom products,
I went on to changing all our cleaning supplies,
dishwasher detergent, and laundry detergent.
Vinegar, Baking Soda, Lemon Juice, and Borax
are my staples for my cleaning needs.
Shopping at the farmers market has always been fun for me!
Even before I went crunchy I loved going to them!
I spent a summer in Mexico on a missions trip
and fell in love with the markets down there.
I think that’s why I love them so much!
This is as close as I can get! 🙂
In the summer I get all of my vegetables and eggs
from the farmer’s market.
In the winter I purchase organically at the
grocery store as much as possible.
I make my own bread.
I shop organically for everything I can find.
I love our local natural market,
they carry all of the non-dairy things I NEED.
Non-dairy butter, cream cheese, sour cream,
coffee creamer and milk are hard to find.
I’m very thankful they carry it all!
I’m still learning so much about being “crunchy”
and find that there is no “right way” to being “crunchy”.
It is a journey and way of life that keeps growing with you.
My journey to crunchy started with an allergy.
What will your journey to “crunchy” begin with?
What ways do you find yourself “crunchy”?
Here are links to all of the products and markets I mention in my post!
http://www.bathfarmersmarket.com/
I would say I am half “crunchy” and for some reason the term makes me giggle!
So glad you found a solution to your acne problem!!
Lol! Yes it makes me smile 🙂 LOL!
I am glad I found a solution too! Thanks for stoppin by! 🙂
Informative post. I learned something today. =)
Thanks for linking up, I appreciate it!
I’m glad you stopped by! It’s always fun for me when I learn new things 🙂 I hope it was the same for you! Thank you for stoppin by! 🙂
I’m a wanna-be “crunchy”. 😉 I try… I really do. I just get overwhelmed by everything and discourage when others seem so much further ahead on their “crunchiness” journey. Just gotta remember… it’s about baby steps. After all, as you stated, it took you two years… it could take me just as long!
There is SO much to take on! I am still learning and making changes! There are some things that make you “extra crunchy” IMO. I just pray, think what would be most beneficial to my family and what do I really believe in that I find. Don’t get discouraged, it is honestly a journey that I don’t believe ever ends. There is always more we find out, more to learn and better ways to do things! 🙂 Start with one room, I started with the bathroom as that is where the majority of the toxins in our home were. If you want to chat please feel free to email me 😉 simplyhelpinghim@gmail.com Thank you for stopping by!
The term Crunchy just was explained to me this week. I had no idea I was a crunchy mama, and I am proud of it! Great post.
Yes it is a new term to me too! I love it though! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
I think I have always been a little crunchy but becoming a mom really made me think more about what I use in every day life along with the type of food we eat. I make my own cleaners, we have eliminated dairy and meat from our diet and we are trying to cook as much from scratch as possible. I started a small veggie garden this year and I buy local whenever possible. We recycle and reuse as many household products that we can.
I don’t think my hubby would stand for meat to be cut from our diet. We eat mostly white meat and lots of veggies and beans. I also started a small veggie/herb garden this year! I am crossing my fingers that they grow well! Thanks for stoppin by! 🙂
What a wonderful post! Thanks so much for sharing. I’m so very proud to have such a wonderful woman on my alex+von team!
Love ya girl! Thank you for stopping by! 🙂
Ten years ago I would have cringed if anyone had called me crunchy! That nonsense was for left wing uber liberals. 🙂 But here I am digging out the paper cup someone threw away so I can put in the recycyle bin! LOL For me it was having kids that triggered all the changes. But I’m glad it did because I think we’re healthier overall now.
We got rid of our microwave… 2-3 years ago. The only time I miss it is when my coffee gets cold and I want to re-heat it! But a good toaster oven does all the trick for us.
I hear ya! My allergy started the ball rolling, but wanting better for my kiddos is what has kept me going! When we got a new stove, I got one with a warming drawer! That works WONDERFULLY for reheating my coffee and leftovers too!
It’s not always easy, and we have to find ways to live with our own contradictions — but it’s good to be green! 🙂
It is not always easy, but nothing worth while is really. It is good to take care of yourself in the best way possible! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
I’m becoming sorta crunchy myself! My journey started from wanting a natural childbirth, breastfeeding, and using cloth diapers. Just kinda thrust me into the crunchy world. I’m gonna check out those companies you recommended. I’m wanting to change my bathroom products, but I don’t have the fortitude to make them right now.
Love the blog redesign.
Mary Beth
newlifesteward.com
If I had childbirth to do over again, I would in a heartbeat! I breastfed and used cloth diapers with baby #2, but was working full time and single with baby #2. Make sure you don’t overwhelm yourself, take one room on at a time or you’ll run away screaming because of all the changes and $. I started with my bathroom and then went to my kitchen. I love the new design too! Thanks for stoppin by! 🙂
I did not end up getting my natural childbirth :(. There’s always next time! I’m thinking about homebirth the second time around.
I’ve discovered that! It’s totally overwhelming. I have to read Keeper of the Home in small doses or a freak out thinking I’m going to kill us all!
🙂
Yes, there is always next time! I didn’t do it either time, and I think we are done (unless God has plans otherwise). I hope that you’ll be able to experience it! Yes, it is best to take on one task that you really feel drawn to for your family first. Don’t do it all at once. I think taking away the microwave is the one thing that sent my family spinning. LOL! It still sits on the floor in my kitchen for my husband and teenagers sake. Most of the time I cook, so it doesn’t get used. It’s there if they want it though.
Isn’t it fun??? I am not as “crunchy” as you – but I’m slowly making changes here, too. And have been blogging about them. 🙂 I am hoping that we’ll soon be able to buy a house and then I can plant my own garden. Woo-hoo – that would be so much fun!! I’m just curious – why don’t you use a microwave? I am really curious about that one.
It is fun! I love it! It’s like a challenge! I guess I must be pretty competitive without even realizing it, because the more I find the more I want to do better! LOL! 🙂 Here is the link to the information on the microwave that I think is the best! http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2012/03/the-microwave-why-you-should-avoid-it-and-other-options.html