As a crunchy family, life is hard. No, not in that life itself is hard...but living life conveniently is hard. A lot of people like to think that those who identify themselves as "crunchy" do so because it's trendy or "cool." I'm sure for some that is true, but I've honestly never met anyone who is "crunchy" for those reasons. I choose to identify as "crunchy" because that's just the truth of it for me. I'm pretty earthy, and have many of the markers that one considers "granola" or crunchy. It's hard though - knowing what you know. There's a pang of guilt for every chocolate treat that you know is processed. Every "conventional" fruit eaten comes with that uneasy feeling knowing you've just ingested a little poison. You feel guilty about using products that you know aren't good for you.
It's alright to indulge sometimes. We all do. However, a lot of times it comes at a price (and sometimes that is just knowing the price). We do try our hardest but there isn't always a crunchy alternative available or affordable for us. We do take steps. Baby steps, and continually improve and that's all that we can really ask of ourselves. To improve our quality of life and health, and continue trying to remove partially - or completely; things we know are damaging to the environment and/or ourselves.
Some of the steps we've taken lately are:
1. We've switched to Kiss My Face shampoo and body wash instead of conventional ones. We also still use California Baby, as well.
2. I also have handmade goat's milk and oatmeal soap from a local shop. It is amazing.
3. We have been doing apple cider vinegar rinses in our hair to eliminate dandruff.
4. Because Maire loves bananas so much, we only buy organic bananas now.
5. We filter our water with a Brita pitcher. We'd love to afford an even better filtration system, but that's unrealistic right now.
6. We walk places whenever possible.
I know these seem like such small steps, but isn't that how everything starts? As time goes on, we'll add to our list and eliminate things that we know aren't good. We'll improve in time. Until then, it's alright to be pleased with your progress - even if it's just a little. A little is better than nothing.
It's a start.
It's alright to indulge sometimes. We all do. However, a lot of times it comes at a price (and sometimes that is just knowing the price). We do try our hardest but there isn't always a crunchy alternative available or affordable for us. We do take steps. Baby steps, and continually improve and that's all that we can really ask of ourselves. To improve our quality of life and health, and continue trying to remove partially - or completely; things we know are damaging to the environment and/or ourselves.
Some of the steps we've taken lately are:
1. We've switched to Kiss My Face shampoo and body wash instead of conventional ones. We also still use California Baby, as well.
2. I also have handmade goat's milk and oatmeal soap from a local shop. It is amazing.
3. We have been doing apple cider vinegar rinses in our hair to eliminate dandruff.
4. Because Maire loves bananas so much, we only buy organic bananas now.
5. We filter our water with a Brita pitcher. We'd love to afford an even better filtration system, but that's unrealistic right now.
6. We walk places whenever possible.
I know these seem like such small steps, but isn't that how everything starts? As time goes on, we'll add to our list and eliminate things that we know aren't good. We'll improve in time. Until then, it's alright to be pleased with your progress - even if it's just a little. A little is better than nothing.
It's a start.
