Hiya! My name is Steph and I’ve been on a slow train to crunchy for about 12 years. Or so says my husband who thinks I’ve been on this train much longer.

I have no memory of what started my trip to crunchy-land but I’m glad I’m here because I’m loving it. I am the perfect blend of weird and normal (or so I think).

I started cutting out things because I would read an article about something and then that would lead me down the rabbit hole reading more about it and then I’m left with this overwhelming feeling that I could not go back. But I can’t really go forward 100% because of money or time or whatever. Small changes. Over time we made small changes to how we do things. Things we purchased or stopped purchasing.

Are you ready? Because this is the epitome of intentional right here…

1. Deodorant-only deodorant. No aluminum. Crunchy Betty makes a fabulous kokomo cream deodorant that I love and she includes her recipe so you can recreate – but who has time for that?
2. Coconut oil as a moisturizer and cooking oil.
3. Dryer Balls en lieu of dryer sheets from my girl Lindsey at Morris Street.
4. No bleach in cleaning (ever). Not even clothing. Tea tree oil cleansers have replaced this.
5. Cleaning with Baking Soda – this has been a hit-and-miss product for me
6. Vinegar for cleaning. See #5 above but still on my “strive” list
7. African Black Soap for facial cleansing
8. Scent free laundry detergent. We use Melaleuca or Honest Company items.
9. Hand soaps using Castile soap and water combo or Method brand
10. Raw honey en lieu of traditional honey
11. Elderberry syrup for immune boosting powers from yet again, Morris Street
12. Cleanish eating. I no longer buy Goldfish at the store. Fruit has replaced that. As little processed food as I can muster. Meat and fruit and veggies.
13. Eggs with sausage or bacon most mornings
14. Synthetic scents have been replaced with essential oils by Doterra.

So if this is you. Start slow. Start with one change. Do it with intention and not just because it’s a fad. Read about it. Research it. Find out if it makes sense. And then make another change. Slow and steady wins the race every time.

And now…. I think I’m ready to take the crazy train to working on products to improve our gut and such. I know, I know. Gross. But seriously…I want to strive to taking better care of our bodies and our homes.

So that’s us in a nushell. A very crazy nutshell that is desiring to be even more off the grid and untraditional than we are.

How are you cutting out the synthetic or getting back to more natural products. I’d love to hear. Let’s share!!!