Why I’m "Kinda Crunchy"

So I got to thinking the other day as someones jaw dropped at the mire fact that I made my own butter, that you all may think I’ve gone off the deep end in this crazy organic life I try to lead.

1. I happen to have a medical condition that can make having babies near impossible. It’s not really something I like to talk about (so please don’t ask me about it), but since yet another person close to me has been diagnosed with a different (yet similar) reproductive condition it brings the reasons I do what I do back into perspective. Pesticides and food additives are chemicals. Your body looks at them as toxins. Fighting these toxins can trick your body and it’s hormones so that your hormone levels don’t do what they should. Seems to me the rise of infertility could also be explained by the rise in chemicals we put into our food, or that leach from the plastics we use, or come from the doctors who readily push ‘The Pill’. Especially since so many of those chemicals mimic the estrogen hormone. Back when my mom started having children, very few young women she knew had troubles conceiving. Today, more than half of my friends have had to struggle with trying for years to have their babies. Some are still trying. It truly seems to me that the cases of infertility are on the rise for young women and even a Dec. 2005 report from the CDC, women under 25 make up the fastest growing segment of U.S. women with impaired fertility. Animal studies have shown a decrease in fertility after being exposed to large amounts of pesticides. Although most of us don’t come in contact with large amounts, who’s to say that small amounts over time don’t do the same thing. I’d rather not risk it.

2. I also believe that we must take good care of what the Lord has given us. Our bodies were given to us and so were all of our natural food sources. The world was perfect as it was created, then we started to slowly destroy it, along with our bodies. We’ve become impatient waiting for the cows to produce milk or get big enough to eat. We want our fruit to look pretty and the chickens to lay more eggs. We don’t have (or take) the time to make our food like our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents did. We want the convenience of pre-packaged foods and the ease of tupperware. With all of the ‘must-have-it now’ tendencies we now incorporate into our daily lives, I fear our nutrition has taken a hard hit.

3. Living a natural life is to live a cheaper life. I can make bread and butter and cookies and crackers cheaper than I can buy them. Cleaning my home with natural products like vinegar and baking soda is cheaper than any conventional cleaner on the market. Buying stainless steel pans and glass storage containers means I won’t have to buy all new stuff every 5-10 years when the teflon and plastic break down. Most of what we were given as wedding gifts 7 years ago is in dire need of replacement. Ever wonder why your grandma still has the same pans she used 20 years ago? Because they still work! I’d rather spend the money on a new pot only once.

Well, there you have it. The top 3 reasons I try to live more organically. Do remember though, I am human, therefore I fall. (chocolate and ice cream will be the end of me!) We live in an industrial world, so it’s going to be impossible to stay away from everything that may potentially harm us. Sometimes I don’t eat how I should, I can’t yet afford to replace all my plastic, and I’d have to move if I wanted to get away from PVC. But I do what I can, when I can, and lay the rest down at the foot of God for him to take of the rest.

And on another note, it seems that a lot of people that live a more natural life also choose the attachment parenting approach. I’m not one to ‘label’ my parenting as I think it’s something that will always change for me, and each child and family is so very different and takes a different approach. Let me take just a moment to cover a few of those topics as well. (These are just my views as of this time in my life and not to be seen as trying to impose them on others.)

*Breastfeeding. I’m a big advocate for breastfeeding and nursed until my Peanut was almost 16 months old. I was blessed with a husband that was very supportive as well as a pediatrician that supported nursing even throughout some (very small) medical issues. That in turn made it so much easier.

*Babywearing. The term may be new, but the practice is centuries old. Women throughout the years have ‘worn’ their babies, most likely in order to be able get some work done around the house. I didn’t own a sling until Peanut was about 6 months old and then we just used it while we were out. Hopefully if we’re blessed with another I can get more use out of it!

*Cloth diapering. This is something I’ve actually put some thought and research into but have yet to take the plunge. My main reason is that it would be cheaper than disposables in the long run. The reason I haven’t done it yet is that I’m having a hard time making up my mind. There as so many choices out there. And the fact that they are all online. I really want to see and touch all the different options. It is a large investment if I don’t get any use out of.

*Co-sleeping. Does not work for us. Not only would my hubby never go for it, I just never felt the need. We were all fine with him sleeping soundly in the next room. We had a schedule and it worked well for us. It still works well for us. I think with Peanuts personality (and mine) it’s really the only thing we should have done. He’s one of those kids that gets super crabby and naughty if he doesn’t have a schedule.

*Vaccinations. We do vaccinate right now, but on a delayed schedule. There was only one time (4mo) where he got the recommended doses and he then ended up with a fever of 101 for almost 3 days. Since then he has not received more than 2 shots at any given time. I do think most vaccinations are important but I also have a pediatrician that again is very supportive and let’s me know each time what is recommended and what we can wait on.

So there you have it. That’s me in a nut shell.