As you have probably guessed by now, I love to keep things simple. My life just works better when things are simplified. I also love to simplify words and 
phrases people get “caught up” in. One of those words is “crunchy.” In a nutshell, keeping it simple, “crunchy” just means wanting to be as natural as possible, avoiding chemicals and toxins, in your everyday life.
Wanting to be natural and avoiding things that are bad for you, your family and pets sounds complicated. Not the least bit simple. However, there is a simple way to look at it when you think of it as a “strategy” instead of a lifestyle. A strategy is simply a plan of action, a plan you use to meet a goal. It is simple now!
Developing Your Crunchy Strategy
There are oodles and oodles of ways to develop your crunchy strategy. The first step is to decide what areas of your life you want to be crunchy. Is it your physical health? Do you want to incorporate “crunchiness” into how you care for bodies? What about your emotional health? Do you want that aspect of 
your life to be crunchy? Do you want to create a “crunchy home?” What are you willing to do to have a crunchy home? Do you want your kids to live a crunchy life? How can you incorporate crunchiness into the lives of your kids and still let them be kids? Will you be wanting to have crunchy pets as well? How can you go about having crunchy pets?
Once you decide the aspects of your life you want to be crunchy, figure out how you can go about making them crunchy. Set your priorities. What part of your life do you want to be the crunchiest? Which part of your life being crunchy would be best for you and your family? Then, you must decide how far you are willing to go to get crunchy.
Crunchy Bodies
Create a strategy so your crunchy lifestyle has an impact on your physical health. It could be something as simple as eliminating soda from your diet. Or, you could go much farther and cut out all processed sugar. Changes in what you eat can have such an impact on your health.
It isn’t just the foods you eat that have an impact on your health; the way you prepare them does as well. Instead of frying your chicken, you can choose to bake or broil it. You could eat more raw vegetables instead of cooking them.
There are hundreds and hundreds of small changes you can make. Those small changes add up over time and, before you know it, you can be quite crunchy. You just need to make the decision how far you want to take your crunchy lifestyle.
Healthy Emotions
Yes, there are crunchy ways to handle your emotions! It isn’t as surprising as it may sound. Lots of people have chosen more all-natural and holistic approaches to their emotional health.
One way to have “crunchy emotions” is to take advantage of the power of meditation. Taking a few minutes each day to clear your mind and “heart” of 
the negativity that seems to surround all of us and make room for the positive. It doesn’t have to be fancy. You don’t even have to “uhmmmm.” Pick a quiet spot where you can relax your body and mind for a bit. It can make a world of difference and get you on the path to your crunchy lifestyle.
You can also try all-natural and holistic methods instead of reaching for prescription and over-the-counter medications. Do not get me wrong – if you are already taking medication for emotional issues, do NOT stop or change the dosage without talking with your healthcare provider. If you are simply wanting to try something to get out of “down in the dumps,” there are crunchy options you can consider.
Crunchy Home
Your strategy can include creating a crunchy home. It is probably one of the easiest ways to embrace this new lifestyle. The possibilities are endless as to how you can implement your crunchy strategy to include your home.
Starting with getting rid of the chemicals and toxins is easier than you might think. And, you don’t have to spend a fortune doing it. Vinegar and baking soda as well as several other items you probably already have in your home will help you replace many of your cleaners. See – you are probably already crunchier than you thought.
Don’t forget about the candles and sprays you use to freshen your rooms. Most of them contain all sorts of chemicals and toxins that are harmful to people and pets. That isn’t the least bit crunchy. Getting rid of those items will help with your strategy.
All-Natural Kids
Kids. Getting them on board with your new strategy is almost always challenging. Just like adults, kids do not like change. They do not like to have their 
schedules interrupted. This doesn’t have to happen. There are ways to implement your strategy without it looking like a lot of changes.
My suggestion is to start small. Little changes in their diets may go unnoticed. Putting a diffuser in their bedroom so they can use essential oils may not cause War World III. Explaining these “new things” at their level will help them understand what is going on. Make sure they know you feel this is best for them and why you believe it. Let them help with the strategy, come up with their own ideas of becoming crunchy.
Crunchy Pets
Unlike kids (and husbands), pets aren’t always aware they are becoming crunchy. This makes it easier for everyone in your home. Including them. Most pets are more than willing to go with the flow.
One way to make your pets crunchy and implement your strategy to a healthier, more holistic life is to get rid of the flea and tick sprays you may be using. Those are filled with chemicals and toxins that are unhealthy for your pets. And, the rest of your family. Planting pet-safe grasses and flowers that repel parasites is a great way to implement your strategy.
Changing their diet to a raw food diet is also an option. Always check with your veterinarian before making any such changes! If your vet is on board, ask for suggestions as to which raw food diet would be best for your critters. Most pets love raw foods and it will help to keep them healthy and happy – the goal of all pet parents. Crunchy pets are an asset to your strategy.
I really wanted to throw in a crunchy taco joke. I have several that are funny,
but I’m saving them for another time. This is serious. People want a more all-natural and holistic life, but they often give up because they are overwhelmed. Crunchy is more like a journey instead of a destination. Crunchy is a strategy for living your life. If you need more information on creating your own crunchy strategy, please join the Oily Housewives Facebook group. We are more than willing to help you in any way we can.