Crunchy Defined: How To Be Crunchy

If you have been following the Crunchy Defined series, you will probably have a decent grasp on what this whole crunchy thing is about. You are also likely to be in one of three positions;
1) You are already crunchy and this whole series has just been a nice refresher course
2)You are currently not crunchy but now would like to be
3)You could care less about being crunchy (although I really hope that is not the case for anyone)

This post is for group #2; the group who wants to be crunchy or perhaps those who are crunchy but want to be crunchier.

If it seems like you have so much to work on in order to be crunchy, just relax. As I've mentioned before, being crunchy is not an all or nothing lifestyle nor is it a convert everything at once lifestyle. No, thankfully you can work on becoming crunchy without becoming crazy.

Here are a few tips on how to become crunchy:

1) Tackle on section at a time.

Odds are there are many areas in your home and life that could use some crunchy changes. Perhaps they all need some tweaking! My suggestion is to pick one area and work on that. Do not just start running around your home and changing everything at once! Doing so will not only drive you and your family crazy but it can also cause you to become overwhelmed and you might lose your desire to be crunchy. So pick one area; be it cleaning supplies, recycling, food, baby, or plastics and focus on that area until you are ready to move on to another section.

2) Replace as you run out.

This philosophy is truly very helpful! Not only will it save your sanity but you also won't be throwing items away or spending a ton of money all at once. Say for instance that you know you need a crunchy/crunchier toothpaste, however you still have some of the old stuff left. Use the old stuff up and then make a new purchase. This will give you time to research which new toothpaste to go with. The complete crunchy overhaul will take longer but you will be able to put more time into picking the right products the first time and you won't be in debt suddenly because you throw away every old product in your house!

3) Realize that this is a process.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, being crunchy is a lifelong process. There's no magic over-night transformation that takes you from mainstream to crunchy. It's a slow, lifelong ordeal. Nobody is 100% crunchy and even if they think they are, I assure you there is something that they could stand to change.

Resources to help you become crunchy:

1) The library aka books.

Yes, you could buy books but I do encourage you to check out your library first. It's free that way! There are tons of books on crunchy topics and if you are looking for some specific titles then you can check out my Book Review section. I find most of my books by searching the library's catalog with phrases such as "natural living", "green living", "toxins", or "eco living". You are almost sure to find something that way!

2) Websites

There are quite a few great crunchy sites. Some focus on just one area (food, kids, toxins) and some cover multiple subjects. Many of these websites are wonderful for helping your sort through the massive amounts of products out there. Some do cheat sheets for crunchy products, some give ratings for products, some write reviews of products they try, and some help you stay up to date on the latest news. Check out my Resource section for some of my favorite websites!

3) Blogs

Like this one, there are many blogs out there. I follow tons of other crunchy blogs and I learn quite a lot from them! To start you on your way (or help fuel your obsession if you are like me) check out my current crunchy blogroll

4) Forums

Forums are probably the greatest contributor to my crunchiness! Through forums I've "met" other crunchies and I hear about things I would have never even thought of! It's because of forums that I no 'poo, make my own deodorant, and make my yogurt in a crock pot!!! Two of my favorites and ones I frequent often (screen name: 'spritzey' if you ever want to say hi) are Crunchy Mamas on Babycenter's community and Natural Parenting Group's forum. As of right now, I have yet to find a non-parent crunchy forum. They all seem to be designed for parents or soon-to-be parents. However, if you know of a non-parent crunchy forum, let me know!

I hope this post has helped you understand how to become crunchy. Try not too become overwhelmed. Start small and slow. You will be a crunchy pro in no time!

Crunchy Defined: Who is Crunchy with An

Part of the Crunchy Defined series is going to be made up of interviews. They are just simple interviews about other crunchy people. However, I think it really displays the diversity of the crunchy world. I hope you enjoy reading the interviews as much as I have!

Crunchy Interview with An of Learning As She Grows

Tell us about yourself?

I am a stay at home mom to my 1.5 years old daughter. I have always been very health conscious partly because I don't consider myself to be in super good shape. I have a husband that is very supportive of me in all areas, so that makes my crunchy life style a lot easier.

What started you in the crunchy direction?

My father is one of those enlightened medical doctors that is very supportive of the crunchy life style and alternative medicines. So, I have always been a bit crunchy since I was little but what really boosted me in this direction is having my daughter. Having a child really makes you think about all the possible little harm you might be doing with a non-crunchy lifestyle.

Why are you crunchy now?

I am crunchy now because I want my daughter to have the best start and foundation in health. I think this is the best gift I can give my daughter. I am also crunchy now because I want to be able to have good health and enjoy my life with her and not have her worry about my health in the future also.

What are you currently changing or trying in your crunchy lifestyle?

I am currently starting to garden, growing our own fruit trees and berries, using organic fertilizers and/or food scraps.

What is something that you have a hard time changing?

I am constantly trying to improve what we eat as a family. Trying to cut out junk, cook at home more, and make food from natural ingredients but I find it hard to keep it up everyday.

What is one thing that has been easy to change?

Switching a lot of products to safer alternatives has been the easiest to do. Haven't start a lot of homemade alternatives but just shopping for crunchier products instead is easy.

Have you met with any opposition because of your crunchy lifestyle?

All the time. The most that people jump on me for is my refusal to use the microwave. People tend to take it as an insult and try to force me to use it. They think I am probably the most paranoid person.

How do you deal with the opposition?

Most of the time I try not to share my crunchy views, unless asked about it, to avoid trouble. If I do get negative comments, I usually just ignore it. I mean, it is not like I will change what I do just because you insult me.

Crunchy Defined: Who is Crunchy with Rashell

Part of the Crunchy Defined series is going to be made up of interviews. They are just simple interviews about other crunchy people. However, I think it really displays the diversity of the crunchy world. I hope you enjoy reading the interviews as much as I have!

Crunchy Interview with Rashell

Tell us about yourself:

My name is Rashell. I am 24 years old, a first time mother to my 2.5 year old daughter, Hallie, a birth doula  and a nursing student.

What started you in the crunchy direction?

My very first step in the crunchy direction was cloth diapers. I came across the Cloth Diapering group on Babycenter and it changed my entire life.

Why are you crunchy now?

I am crunchy now for many reasons. My main reason is my daughter. I vow to do what I believe is best and that includes keeping toxins and poisons out of her system. The more I read, the more I learned how contaminated everything in our lives is. I also care about the environment and living a sustainable life.

What are you currently changing or trying in your crunchy lifestyle?

My currency crunchy change is my eating habits. My daughter and I have gone from a diet of many processed foods to only whole foods to low meat to being pescatarians. I have never felt better and I am becoming healthier.

What is something that you have a hard time changing?

The hardest change has probably been my eating habits. Overcoming 24 years of bad eating habits has been the most difficult thing in my life.

What is one thing that has been easy to change?

My easiest change was probably body products and cleaning supplies. It was so simple and I never looked back.

Have you met with any opposition because of your crunchy lifestyle?

Yes. In fact, my biggest opposition is my husband. He is pretty understanding except when it comes to his eating habits. My mother-in-law was also quite vocal about her opinions. Everyone else has been very supportive. I surround myself with like minded individuals so the majority of my friends are just as crunchy as myself.

How do you deal with the opposition?

I have dealt with my husband gingerly. I want him to accept our new lifestyle and be happy with it. Not just go along because he has too. We did a lot of *trial runs*. He was very against cloth diapers so we decided to just try them out. 2 years later and he tells every new father how great they are. Same with shampoo, cleaning supplies, recycling, anything that affected him. Most of the time, he agreed my crunchy alternative was a better idea. We had to do a few toothpaste trials before we found one we both loved.

Crunchy Defined: Who is Crunchy with Emily

Part of the Crunchy Defined series is going to be made up of interviews. They are just simple interviews about other crunchy people. However, I think it really displays the diversity of the crunchy world. I hope you enjoy reading the interviews as much as I have!

Crunchy Interview with Emily of Taking Care of Me, Too


Tell us about yourself:

I'm starting to learn that I really don't know much about myself. I could say, I'm a young mother and I live in a small wooded town in New England with my fiancé, our son, and our dog. Is that a good answer? I have a deep desire to buy a piece of land, dump a small trailer on it, and start gardening. I hate money! And I'm a pantheist. That's about all I know about myself right now.

What started you in the crunchy direction?

I think it was when I met my now-fiance and he introduced me to "the woods". I just fell in love with nature as I fell in love with him. Then I started connecting my new found love of nature with my past teenage stoner interest in hippies. 

Why are you crunchy now?

Because I feel like it is my responsibility. Knowing how my actions have impact on the Earth and how this affects other living beings. Also knowing the negative impacts of the consumer lifestyle on both the Earth and on the human spirit. How can I live carelessly with this knowledge?

What are you currently changing or trying in your crunchy lifestyle?

The main thing I have been trying to do lately is cut down on energy costs. And honestly, more so because gas, oil, and electricity are so expensive then because of the environmental impact! I've noticed that since my son was born my laundry has doubled. Not because of his teeny tiny clothes; it's all the cloth diapers! So now I am washing diapers by hand, using a five-gallon bucket and a plunger! and hanging them on the line to dry. I've also been trying to walk more instead of drive, because my current vehicle gets a whopping 17 miles per gallon. (Minivan was not my choice of transportation. I kind of got stuck with it...) I've also been refusing to use the air conditioner, after learning that the ceiling fan uses less than a tenth of the energy my AC unit uses.

What is something that you have a hard time changing?


UGH! My sugar consumption! It's horrible and I'm pretty sure it's a full-blown addiction. I know I need to go cold turkey one day, but I'm putting that off until my son weans because I'm afraid of detox while breastfeeding. Maybe I am afraid of detoxing from sugar itself.
What is one thing that has been easy to change?

I think the easiest things were not so much of a change in themselves but new things that came along with a big change in my life. That change was having my son and all the new things that go along with having a baby. Making choices in regards to early parenting such as to have an unmedicated birth, breastfeed, keep my son intact, refuse vaccinations, and use cloth diapers. (Yes, I did just say that unmedicated birth was easy....It wasn't easy but it was awesome and wonderful and empowering.) It was easy to make those choices and follow through because my son is the most important thing in the world to me.

Have you met with any opposition because of your crunchy lifestyle?

For the most part, no...I'd say the only opposition I've had is with medical professionals regarding my decision not to follow the vaccine schedule for my son. I was told that I "had to" get him his shots or "he'll get sick because it's winter"! Which was a nonsense statement regarding the vaccines he "should have" been receiving at that time.

How do you deal with the opposition?

Not very well. I find it hard to respond when I'm caught off guard. The next pediatrician visit, I'm going equipped with papers filled with information.

Crunchy Defined: Who is Crunchy with Gillian

Part of the Crunchy Defined series is going to be made up of interviews. They are just simple interviews about other crunchy people. However, I think it really displays the diversity of the crunchy world. I hope you enjoy reading the interviews as much as I have!

Crunchy Interview with Gillian

Tell us about yourself:

I'm a married, 29 year old, first time mom to the cutest boy on the planet (sorry, everyone else). We also have a spaniel furbaby who is nearly 5 years old. I am 'technically' a teacher but am not working right now. I don't know if I will ever go back into the classroom as a teacher; I think I'll do some Special Ed training when I'm ready to go back to work.

What started you in the crunchy direction?

Brittany!! I'd been on Babycenter since I was about 12 weeks' pregnant and joined her Autumn Leaves group. I'd seen the link to her blog for ages but only just recently checked it out, looking for recipes. I started reading more and more, then linking to other blogs, then sites like SafeMama and SafBaby. My interest grew and I decided that since I now have a (slight) handle on this whole Mommy business, I can start incorporating "crunchy" aspects into my life.

Why are you crunchy now?

I'm not - I'm just a beginner and I don't know if I'll ever consider myself actually crunchy. My husband thinks it's all garbage. We will never be vegetarians. I'll probably always drink pop (and mostly diet pop at that), and I'll never be able to convince my husband to clean with vinegar. I figure that if I can make some small changes that have big impacts, I'm doing alright.
The other thing that kinda clicked for me was when I was giving my son a bath ... and actually RUBBING the ubiquitous yellow no-more-tears soap into his skin. I just started thinking about this beautiful, perfect little dude in front of me and what I was lathering him up with. That made me want to change.

What are you currently changing or trying in your crunchy lifestyle?

I'm going to start small and subtle. Baby soap/shampoo will be first on my list. I was already making nearly all of my baby's food and I will continue that. What jarred food I do buy is organic. He gets a bit of formula which I'm also now buying organic. I'm going to start buying the Dirty Dozen organic. I'm going to look for "nice" shampoos, conditioners, and body washes for myself ... although this no 'poo thing is very intriguing.

(I'm talking in the future tense because I'm still in England until next week, so my crunchy journey will begin as soon as we're home and over the jet lag.)

What is something that you have a hard time changing?

My husband's opinion and my instinct to buy whatever is on sale. I think I'm also going to have a hard time giving up stuff I love, like my St. Ives Apricot Exfoliating shower gel. It's so yummy!

What is one thing that has been easy to change?

Buying organic baby food and making my own baby food. I started doing that before I decided to start being crunchy though, so I don't know if it counts.

Have you met with any opposition because of your crunchy lifestyle?

Yes, my husband thinks I'm crazy for even talking about buying things with fewer chemicals. I'm healthy, he's healthy, so baby will be healthy. He doesn't see the point. Oh well. Like I said earlier, I'm not trying to radically overhaul our whole lives, so I doubt he'll even notice a difference for a long time.
I think I've also met opposition within myself. I like buying a bargain and the idea of spending $5+ on a small tube of toothpaste is like nails on a chalkboard.

How do you deal with the opposition?

Making changes that are so subtle my husband won't notice. He is a creature of habit so once he gets used to seeing certain brands or practices at home he'll (hopefully) just roll with it.
As for my cheapness ... I think I'll have to decide where to draw the line with that. I'll learn as I go.

Products I use: Before and Now

It's been awhile since I've post what products I am using. My last products I use list was in 2010 so I thought I'd add an updated one along with a list of what I used pre-crunchy.

Looks like I need to write a few more posts on some of these products! I didn't realize that I haven't posted about quite a few of items I use now!

Cleaning Products:

All Purpose Cleaner:  Before: 409, Pine-Sol, whatever    Now: 1/2 vinegar, 1/2 water in a spray bottle. (for everything but marble/granite for that I just use soap and water)

Scrub: Before: Soft Scrub    Now: Baking soda or Dr. Bronners

Disinfectant: Before: Lysol    Now: Vinegar

Dishwasher Detergent: Before: Cascade    Now: Biokleen

Dish Washing Soap: Before: Ajax or whatever was cheapest    Now: Biokleen

Hand Soap: Before: Bath & Body Works    Now: Biokleen Dish Soap (it's made for hands too)

Laundry Detergent: Before: Cheap Costco stuff    Now: Biokleen Liquid

Fabric Softener: Before: Dryer Sheets    Now: Wool Dryer Balls

Health and Beauty Products:

Toothpaste: Before: Whatever was cheapest usually Aim    Now: Jason Powersmile

Kid’s Toothpaste: Before: Orajel brand    Now: Earth's Best

Body Wash: Before: Bath & Body Works    Now: Dr. Bronnrs or 100% Pure

Shaving cream: Before: Intuition razors which have shaving cream built in    Now: Dr. Bronners

Shampoo/Conditioner: Before: John Frieda    Now: No 'poo. My husband currently uses Aubrey Organics

Kid’s Bath Soap: Before: Johnson&Johnson    Now: Dr. Bronners (1 little squirt in a tub full of water) or just water.

Lotion: Before: Bath & Body Works    Now: 100% Pure Cosmetics lotion

Kid’s Lotion: Before: Johnson&Johnson    Now: Extra Virgin Coconut Oil or in extremely rare instances Weleda 

Baby Wipes: Before: Costco brand but the truck load    Now: Cloth Wipes with just water

Diaper Cream: Before: A&D or Vaseline    Now: Extra Virgin Coconut Oil 

Sunscreen: Before: Coppertone    Now: Badger

Deodorant: Before: Suave    Now: Homemade...ok right now none as I've been out of cornstartch/arrowroot for months. Apparently I've detoxed enough that I technically don't need any but I still want to make some more.

Face Wash: Before: Bath & Body Works hand soap (if I remember right)    Now: Dr. Bronners

Face Moisturizer: Before: Bath & Body Works lotion    Now: Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Evening Primrose Oil.

Makeup: Before: A combination of Cover Girl & Maybelline    Now: 100% Pure Cosmetics

Lip Balm: Before: Bath & Body Works    Now: Burt’s Bees

Hairspray: Before: Garnier    Now: homemade sugar hairspray

Hair Dye: Before: Garnier    Now: None! I'm embracing my natural color!

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Crunchy Defined: Who is Crunchy with Catharine

Part of the Crunchy Defined series is going to be made up of interviews. They are just simple interviews about other crunchy people. However, I think it really displays the diversity of the crunchy world. I hope you enjoy reading the interviews as much as I have!

Crunchy Interview with Catharine of Crunchy Mama


Tell us about yourself:

 I'm 27, living in Connecticut  with my wonderful husband and our 3 dogs. We're expecting our 1st child in just a few weeks and I'm becoming more and more crunchy, the more I learn about toxins, scary chemicals, limited regulation of scary untested products, damage to our environment, and what we're doing to our bodies in general in 2011.

What started you in the crunchy direction?

This is a tough one! I think my crunchy journey started out with the environment, I found 'An Inconvenient Truth' to be alarming and started paying closer attention to products I use and creative ways to recycle (I've always been a recycler). As I learned more about cleaning products and pollutants of that nature, I started learning about what I was exposing my body to on a daily basis. From there I started to learn about food and the way convenience foods are manufactured. By attending farmers markets, I started thinking about where our food comes from and where I don't want mine to come from, and it's progressed from there!

Why are you crunchy now?

Americans in general have come to accept unnaturally manufactured food, cleaning products, and personal care products. People have NO idea where everything they consume originates, or often how to even read a label on a product. This ignorance and/or apathy is dangerous as consequences of exposure to toxins are being discovered daily. The best way I can protect myself and my family and preserve our environment is to be educated and crunchy!

What are you currently changing or trying in your crunchy lifestyle?

Well, we've eliminated toxic household cleaners and use Thyme Oil-based disinfectants. We use plant-based cleansers and detergents, and right now my husband and I are working on better meat and poultry choices. There's an exceptional documentary called Food, Inc. that was eye opening and we're trying to transition over from corn fed, cruelly raised/slaughtered animals to humanely, naturally raised meat and poultry. I had no idea what a difference Grass-fed beef would be... it's amazing!

Animal Welfare Rating System - Global Animal Partnership

What is something that you have a hard time changing?

Well I'd love to say we're going to cloth diaper but we can't keep up with our own laundry as it is. To add a baby AND cloth diapers is just too daunting for me. 

I'm kind of a germ-phobe and can't give up my paper towels. I can only clean with paper towels and reusable cloths freak me out for anything other than polishing wood or shining a bathroom mirror... I still toss paper towels.

What is one thing that has been easy to change?

Switching to natural cleaning products was easy! There isn't a huge price difference and the products we use are becoming available at more retailers all the time, making them more accessible.

Have you met with any opposition because of your crunchy lifestyle?

Finding a pediatrician who supports baby wearing, spreading vaccines out, and doesn't chastise co-sleeping was definitely a challenge. I drive some of my friends nutty with my recycling, I chase after their aluminum and paper to recycle :-)

How do you deal with the opposition?

I try to educate, always have facts floating around in my mind, and am learning when to walk away. If you want to rub toxins all over your baby, fine. I'll politely inform someone of my reasoning but I won't try to push things on people. For example, I don't use antibacterial soap because of Triclosan concerns. My office kitchen HAS dish soap but it's antibacterial, so I bring my own and sometimes it's a conversation starter, "Oh, you're using your own soap?"

Crunchy Defined: Why Crunchy?

We covered What Crunchy Is in my first post of the Crunchy Defined series. Now we are going to look at the reasons for WHY someone becomes crunchy.

There are actually a few reasons and most of the time the reasons will overlap for doing one thing or another.

Reason #1: Money

Not that you will become rich by being crunchy. I only wish that was the case! No, being crunchy can save money. At least in some areas it can. Getting back to the basics; simpler ingredients/products; cooking from scratch can all help save money. Saving money is definitely one of the reasons why I am crunchy. For instance, washing my hair with baking soda and vinegar (called no ‘poo) costs me pennies as opposed to dollars on shampoo and conditioner, especially the more natural shampoos and conditioners. Cloth diapers are another good example of frugal crunchy. What I spent on my cloth diaper stash would have been the equivalent to maybe 6 months in disposable diaper. Not to mention the fact that my cloth diapers can be used for subsequent children as well.

Reason #2: Health

There is actually two sides to the health reason. Basically there is the offensive and the defensive. Offensive is searching for the healthiest foods and incorporating them into eating habits. Such as adding chia seeds to your diet because they are high in Omega-3’s. Defensive is avoiding certain things because of what they can do to your body. For instance, pesticides or BPA are both things that many crunchy people try to avoid because of their impact on the body. There is also the health reason of getting crunchy because perhaps you are suffering from some illness or disease and nothing else is working. Many people start on the crunchy path because of this. I personally know that my son’s eczema influenced my reason for becoming crunchy. The only way to lessen his reactions was to avoid dyes, perfumes, and chemicals.

Reason #3: Environment

I’m sure we are all quite aware of the fact that we only get one Earth. Even if they do manage to colonize Mars, I don’t see that as a good reason for letting the Earth go to shambles. I would like it if when my children or grandchildren grow up, they do not have to wear masks because the air is too polluted to breathe without one. Think about it! We are already well on the way towards it; city children have more asthma then rural children because the air quality is worse in urban areas.

As I said, there are many reasons to become crunchy. One reason might be the initial starting point for becoming crunchy and as you go along, you might pick up other reasons that you are crunchy. This is just another reason why crunchy is not the same for every single person. 

Crunchy Defined: Who is Crunchy with Panda

Part of the Crunchy Defined series is going to be made up of interviews. They are just simple interviews about other crunchy people. However, I think it really displays the diversity of the crunchy world. I hope you enjoy reading the interviews as much as I have!

Crunchy Interview with Panda of Pandazen


Tell us about yourself:

My name is Amanda. I am a graduate student working on my PhD in chemistry. I have been in school for what seems like an eternity. Roughly translated that is 12 years. I have a M.S. in materials engineering and a B.S. in chemical engineering. I am also a proud mother and wife. We just had our first baby last September and I want several more. But one at a time :) I have been a vegetarian for what also seems like an eternity, but more recently I have been trying to go raw. I love fashion, fitness, gardening, cooking, and finding ways to live as naturally and sustainably as possible.

What is really cool about my research is that unlike standard chemistry, I do computational chemistry, so it is the ultimate in green chemistry. We study alternative fuel technologies and can predict reactions so that lab chemists have fewer experiments to preform, thus less waste.


What started you in the crunchy direction?

Probably college - meeting other people at vegetarian potlucks. Most of my friends' parents were hippies. My parents lived the semi-crunchy lifestyle for financial reasons but not until I started college did I go full out granola.

Why are you crunchy now?


I have been living this way for so long now, and it just feels right. I want to share this with my daughter and let her know that even if it might seem like you are not making an impact, every little bit helps. I think my driving factor is keeping our planet inhabitable for future generations.


What are you currently changing or trying in your crunchy lifestyle?

Using less in general - less water, fewer plastics, less gas by planning shopping and trips in advance. In the past, I was not as good about it but now I never run around town running errands - I map out the shortest drive and put grocery stops and errands along the way, and only make one trip every two weeks or so.


What is something that you have a hard time changing?


Giving up shampoo. I was so resistant to no-poo, but it was so easy once I got the hang of it and now my hair looks better than ever.


What is one thing that has been easy to change?

Recycling and eating a plant based diet.


Have you met with any opposition because of your crunchy lifestyle?


Most people did not believe I would stick with cloth diapers, and I am sure some people think I am a little weird ;).


How do you deal with the opposition?


Lead by example - Just keep doing your crunchy thing, don't let the negativity get you down, and the naysayers will come around. Now, the people who said I would fail at cloth diapers think it's cool that I use them.