Going crunchy used to be one of those weird quirks that your best friend’s cousin was into. Now being crunchy is having a moment – it’s a movement that’s sweeping society as we know it. As more people are learning about the negative impacts lifestyle can have on their health, they’re embracing a non-toxic lifestyle. However, diving into the crunchy life without a plan can be overwhelming. The further down that rabbit hole you travel, the more alarming and overwhelming it becomes. Soon you’re left thinking EVERYTHING is toxic, and how the heck do you avoid it? The short answer? You don’t. Not in full. Going non-toxic isn’t about all-out avoidance; it’s about lowering your toxic burden.
What does it mean to be crunchy?
Crunchy is a term that was coined decades ago, and it mostly refers to people who live a life focused on mindfulness, organic practices, and eco-friendly consciousness. It was believed to come from the idea that these people were likely to eat “crunchy” granola. Today, it still embodies the same values and is a growing trend for people wanting to escape the effects of toxicity. How does one get started on their crunchy journey? Can they join the club if they don’t like granola?
While I don’t think I’ll ever understand not liking granola, the crunchy club is open to anyone seeking a healthier lifestyle. And if you’re not sure where to begin, here are some simple ways you can start being crunchy today.
Eat More Whole Foods
Adding more whole foods into your diet is the simplest way to live a healthier life. This will naturally eliminate some of the toxins in processed foods and replace them with important nutrients. It’s widely theorized that most chronic illness is a result of nutritional deficiencies due to diet and lifestyle. Eating more whole foods, like fruits, vegetables, and meat, can help replenish nutrients lost to years of eating conveniently packaged, but empty foods. If you can get your hands on organic and grass-fed foods that are regenerative and better for the environment and the body, you’d do even better. My favorite regenerative meat is beef from TruBeef Organic and we try to shop as locally as possible for eggs and produce.
Ditch Single-Use Plastics
Being crunchy means reducing waste whenever possible. Start by eliminating single-use plastics like water bottles, straws, and plastic bags. Swap zip-loc bags for reusable silicone bags like these or use glass containers if you’re storing food for leftovers. Stop buying plastic water bottles and opt for a stainless steel or glass water bottle, instead. This is my favorite drink container, even though it’s not a bottle, and I take it everywhere with me. Stainless steel straws like these are great if you’re like me and have kids that insist on using straws, or if you just prefer to use them yourself. Just make sure to get the right size straw for your needs. Use reusable tote bags for grocery shopping at stores and farmer’s markets. If you don’t have any, some places give them away and our TJ Maxx usually has them at the front for relatively cheap prices.
Switch to Crunchy Beauty Products
For years, our daily routine has been filled with carcinogens like parabens, phthalates, and formaldehyde. It’s time to leave those nasty ingredients behind and choose makeup and skincare ingredients that choose us back. Although there are a lot of beauty brands out there that market themselves as clean but still use toxic ingredients, there are a few gems. My favorite makeup is Piper Blue, but there are other good brands like Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques and MG Naturals.
If you really want to be extra crunchy with your skin care, opt for natural skincare like tallow and plant-based oils. However, if you want something a little more luxurious than those, opt for brands like Holy Naturals, LouLei Botanicals, Lauren Brooke, Bambu Earth, and Little Seed Farm.
Go Crunchy with Your Cleaning Products
This is where it gets a little bit tricky, but it’s possible to be crunchy and be a neat freak. Ask me how I know! You want to remain as nontoxic as possible, but you also want your cleaners to work at wiping away dirt and grime that naturally builds up around the house. Natural or nontoxic cleaning products are getting better, so you don’t have to sacrifice performance for safety. We use and love the Branch Basics cleaning concentrate, but there are some other brands you can try, like Aspen, Meliora, and Mama Suds.
If you don’t want to spend a fortune on cleaning supplies, I don’t blame you. There are recipes for just about every cleaning product out there. When we need something sanitized, we use plain rubbing alcohol diluted in water. For other cleaning supplies, take a look at this guide from the Goodness Well.
Reduce or Eliminate Paper Waste
Reducing paper waste takes careful planning, but it is one of the simplest and most impactful things you can do to steward the earth. Try using silicone menstrual cups and period panties in place of disposable pads and tampons. Or place a pack of rags under your sink and ditch the paper towels. You can even reduce your toilet paper use with a bidet attachment! Don’t do it all at once, start with replacing one paper product with its reusable counterpart.
Buy Local
Depending on where you live, there may be a gold mine of local products waiting to be discovered. Where I live, most towns have at least one farmer’s market during the spring. Shopping at local markets and natural grocers not only supports your local community, but it’s better for you, too. You’re more likely to eat seasonal produce that has been grown in soil native to your locale. You might also find nontoxic skincare and household items as it’s quite common for people to make these goods from home and sell them at local markets. If you’re not aware of any farmer’s markets or natural grocers around you, check for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) group in your area. They often offer delivery or pickup for products from local farms and vendors.
Start a Garden
Starting a garden may not be the easiest way to go crunchy, but it’s one of the most rewarding. Being able to control not only the ingredients in your food, but also the food itself and the way it’s grown, is the ultimate crunchy dream. You might think “I don’t have a large enough yard,” or “I don’t have a green thumb.” Start small – grow one small container of herbs on your patio this year and count that as a win. You can grow a lot of different plants in containers if that’s all you have space for. We have a backyard, but since bending down is a trigger for my symptoms, we use large containers to grow our food. You can get creative with gardening as long as you can give your plants the nutrients they need.
Conclusion
Are you ready to dive in and start making changes that will pay it forward for years to come? Pick one of these tips each month over the next several months and try to implement them. The more you do it, the easier it becomes. If you get stuck or feel overwhelmed, remember it’s a journey, not a race. Go at a pace that is comfortable and sustainable for you and know that every positive change gets you one step closer to your crunchy dream.
What one change are you most excited to start making?
