My friends call me a hippie. Some have called me Earth Mother, but I say I am just crunchy-ish. Yes, I enjoy the natural life. I nursed my only child for 14 months. I baby wore and cloth diapered for almost two years. I made homemade baby food and eventually embraced baby-led weaning. Our family has some alternative views on conventional medicine, lives the oily life on a regular basis, and believes in major screen time limits. I buy mostly organic and shop the Flint Farmers’ Market often. You can find homemade elderberry syrup in the fridge, homemade cleaner under the sink, and a Himalayan salt rock in the living room.
But I have a few confessions when it comes to living this natural life…
It can be exhausting.
As a college student, every article I read about holistic living sent my anxiety levels soaring. Fast forward to pregnancy and I couldn’t stop consuming all the ways I was going to kill my baby or die myself because of toxins.
When my kiddo was about 4-years-old, I hit my breaking point and eventually threw in the towel when it came to natural living. In fact, I went in the opposite direction and started hitting up the drive-thru regularly and let my kid watch hours of Netflix because I worked full-time and it was justified. Right? I bought all the cheapest groceries and started using all my favorite smelly lotions again. I figured, if I couldn’t beat this “toxic” world we live in, I might as well just enjoy it.
But the pendulum swung back. My family didn’t feel good in our bodies or minds and I couldn’t deny all the knowledge I had regarding how toxic our environment has become. I also couldn’t deny the level of work it took in order to keep up with the natural life. So I had to find a happy medium that gave me some sanity as a full-time working momma who would rather be homesteading.
#1 – You probably don’t have time to grow/raise your own food. Neither do I.
If you are on a budget, try to stick to the dirty dozen for organics. Switch your eggs to organic or find a farmer or friend who has chickens. Overall, just stop buying your food in boxes or plastic that doesn’t come from a refrigerated section. Fresh and frozen is better than anything in a can or a box.
#2 – Don’t completely deprive yourself of your most favorite things.
On occasion, I buy Oreos and there is usually ice cream in my freezer. We eat hot dogs in the summer and I celebrated from the rooftops when my child finally discovered a fast food item she actually likes to eat because Wednesdays are really long.
#3 – Do try to meal prep and cook at home as much as possible.
Make trips to your local farmers’ market to score fresh ingredients straight from the grower. A true farm-to-table experience.
#4 – Change up your laundry routine.
Use vinegar, water, and essential oil to mix up your own cleaners and buy a pack of wool dryer balls with drops of oil instead of dryer sheets. Our team’s simple living momma is on Instagram every Tuesday {#tuesdayswithjess} and she’s always sharing more tips and tricks.
#5 – Recycle paper, aluminum, cardboard, and plastic.
Make it a chore for the littles in your home and let it be a natural lesson in caring for the environment. Learn more about what can be recycled and what can’t here.
#6 – Use coconut oil for face cleaner and body moisturizer.
#7 – Switch up your teeth cleaning routine too.
I love tooth powder made from local Michigan momma, In the Weeds Apothecary that I buy at the Hawthorn and Violet herb shop in Fenton.
#8 – Keep the peace in your home.
Keep the screens off in your house for a good portion of the day and diffuse some oils to keep the air clean of free radicals.
#9 – Take your own bags to the store to shop.
#10 – Practice mindfulness for 15 minutes a day.
Take it one step further and get connected with a local wellness center to dig even deeper into your personal wellness journey. After all, mom life is stressful and busy and if we want to live the best one, we need to keep our own minds and emotions ready to face the day!
With information flying at us faster than ever before, it is so easy to get overwhelmed. Just remember that any step you take to make your family healthier is a step that will be well worth it! You’ve got this momma!
