What Is Crunchy?

Are you curious about the crunchy lifestyle or are you exploring how to live a healthier life? Or you might be thinking: what is crunchy? Let’s discuss.

What Does Crunchy Mean?
The term "crunchy" comes from "granola." Followers of the hippie movement of the 1960s promoted natural foods and holistic practices and many enjoyed granola. And you know what is crunchy? Granola, hence the origin of the term. But a crunchy lifestyle encompasses more than just a food snack; it represents a holistic approach to living that focuses on health and sustainability. Individuals who embrace a crunchy lifestyle generally:

• Prefer Natural Remedies: Those embracing a crunchy lifestyle often seek alternative treatments, such as herbal remedies and essential oils, to support their family’s health. Rather than appeasing symptoms, they prefer root cause healing.
• Prepare Homemade and Organic Food: In addition to buying organic produce, many crunchy individuals grow their own food and/or eat at home for more nutrient-dense meals.
• Choose Eco-Friendly Products: Crunchies seek organic, fragrance-free personal care products and eco-conscious household cleaners. They prefer plastic-free products whenever possible.
• Connect more with Nature: Whether it’s hiking, gardening, or camping, embracing the outdoors is a crucial element of the crunchy lifestyle. They often promote a healthy dose of sun exposure each day.
• Are More Skeptical and Make Informed Choices: Embracing the crunchy lifestyle often involves approaching things with a healthy level of skepticism. Many are cautious about marketing claims and prefer to gather information directly from reliable sources rather than relying on others' interpretations. This approach frequently results in making well-informed decisions that are in line with their values of authenticity and transparency.

You may have heard of the term "crunchy mom" or "crunchy dad." If you subscribe to crunchy living and you're a parent, you may also:

• Breastfeed and practice Babywearing: Emphasizing the health benefits of breastfeeding and the emotional bonds formed through babywearing.
• Cloth Diaper: Opting for cloth diapers to reduce waste and protect their baby's skin.
• Gentle Parent: This involves a compassionate approach to parenting, focusing on empathy and respect to foster emotional intelligence and a strong familial bond.
• Opt for Natural Birth: Crunchy parents prefer more natural approaches for birthing, including delivering vaginally and standing up, as well as limiting pharmaceutical intervention. 
• Prefer Attachment Parenting: Many adopt practices like co-sleeping and responsive caregiving, and don't often support methods like "cry it out".

What If You're Not Crunchy? Then You're Silky
In contrast, the "silky" lifestyle prioritizes convenience and modern comforts, with a more mainstream approach to health and parenting. Silky individuals might lean towards popular corporate brands and mainstream medical advice without the inclination to question ingredients or methods.

And If You’re Neither? You're Probably Scrunchy
Not everyone fits neatly into the crunchy or silky categories. In fact, most people don't. If neither of these sound like you, you are likely scrunchy. This middle ground balances natural choices with modern conveniences. We believe most individuals live somewhere on this spectrum, especially considering the rapid technological advancement in recent decades.

Why Be Crunchy?

In a world where convenience often overshadows quality, adopting a crunchy lifestyle is a stand for taking responsibility for your health. If you're driven by the desire to combat the rising tide of chronic illness and environmental harm, then being "crunchy" is for you.

There is no denying that what is crunchy can be taxing on our minds and wallets. Our shop, Crunchy & Co, was born out of some of the frustrating parts of trying to live clean, which included: being duped by greenwashed brands, buying natural products that just didn't work, and just generally not knowing where to start as the avalanche of information came crumbling down.

Our platform is here to support and inspire those on their journey, whether fully crunchy, silky, or somewhere in between. We're here to show that while the path isn’t always easy, the rewards of a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle are worth it. We hope to make your journey a bit easier with our supportive community and storefront.

Welcome to Crunchy & Co!