First, allow me to define the “crunchy” lifestyle. Many see it as a granola-esque, hippie, earth-loving, off-the-grid movement. It is many of those things, and more. You may be crunchy if you homestead, don’t vaccinate, homeschool. Urban dictionary describes crunchy moms as neo-hippies. Anyway, I think you get the picture.
There are days when I would say I am crunchy through and through. And then I meet another crunchy mom and I think to myself, well, I definitely am not that committed. I’ll be spilling some of my dirty little secrets here…
My husband’s favorite cereal is Fruity Dino Bites… so when I go grocery shopping, I buy it. I don’t tend to eat it and I prefer my daughter not to eat it. But, If she has a bite or two from his bowl, I’m not (usually) losing my marbles over it.
Do I buy anything with food coloring in it for her specifically? No.
Do I deny her some gummies if someone offers to share with her? Absolutely not.
There are a few things I am … stricter on. I prefer to only buy cotton or natural fibers. Our sheets are cotton. My duvet is 100% down with a 100% cotton shell. Same with my pillow. My daughter’s duvet is 100% mulberry silk with a 100% cotton shell. Our duvet covers are both cotton. (Can you tell I love a cozy bed?)
I own (and wear) clothes with polyester because I’m just not in a place to re-do my entire wardrobe. For now, that is fine with me. Eventually……. hello linen and cashmere and cotton closet of my dreams.
My workout clothes have polyester but after reading that one study on fertility and microplastics. Well. Let’s just say it made me a little more crunchy than I was before. I’ll add the link here if you wish to read it: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8279095/ (and before you say anything, I know it is on dogs but microplastics are so notoriously understudied that I’d prefer to be cautious).
I know there are microplastics that are almost impossible to avoid. Everything is packaged in plastic, what is the mattress made of, is it in my shampoo, is it in my water (yes). But that is the exact reason that I try to control what I CAN control.
I don’t allow my daughter screens, but I am THRILLED for her second birthday when we introduce a monthly family movie night. In life, I generally believe that most things are fine in moderation. I am a bit more… timid when it comes to screens because of my personal struggle with screen time AND the studies I have read regarding it. It makes me scared for my own brain! https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10442849/ https://longevity.stanford.edu/lifestyle/2024/05/30/what-excessive-screen-time-does-to-the-adult-brain/
The “crunchy” movement stands on DIY. And if you can’t make it yourself, buy local and small batch. I’m not totally there. I shop at Sam’s club and the commissary.
Yes, I did baby led weaning and made almost everything myself. Yes, I also loathe the time it takes to make sourdough bread and absolutely prefer to use yeast.
So, here I stand, a not-so-crunchy, crunchy mom. The more research I do, the more crunchy I become. But, we will see how far that takes me.
Stay wild and thank you for reading <3
