Notice the yummy papaya from Whole Foods in her mouth & then the Cocoa Puffs in the background. We definitely find ourselves somewhere in the middle...
I'll admit that I've just recently heard the term "crunchy." According to Urban Dictionary, the term refers to anyone who has "adjusted or altered their lifestyle for environmental reasons." It is a derivative of the word "granola," which I actually have used before to describe things. A crunchy mama would then, in my mind, just be any mom who chooses to follow more environmentally conscious efforts with their children. According to Urban Dictionary, and I guess many others, "crunchy mama" refers to a mom who "supports homebirth, breastfeeding, baby wearing, cloth diapering, co-sleeping, gentle discipline, etc. One who questions established medical authority; tends to be vegetarian and/or prepare all-organic foods."
Well, I consider myself to be fairly environmentally-friendly, but I'm not sure I can consider myself "crunchy" by these definitions. We make all kinds of efforts with Isis including organic foods, making our own baby food & cloth diapers. The only thing is that not all of these decisions were made specifically because they were environmentally friendly. Cloth diapers had much more to do with cost, as did making our own baby food. Organic foods definitely has to do with being environmentally friendly as well as just more natural in general. There are so many additives, preservatives & chemicals that have been added to our foods & our materials just in the last 40 - 50 years. We don't know the long-term effects of these things yet because they haven't been around long-term. Lewis & I just find it to make sense that keeping Isis & any future children as chemical-free as possible can't be a bad thing!
I chose to breastfeed because it just seemed like the natural choice for me. It was never really a question in my mind. Sure, it's environmentally friendly, but it's also proven to be great for your baby regardless of environmental factors. We don't co-sleep & I don't really see what this has to do with being environmentally friendly. And what is "gentle discipline?" I didn't have a homebirth, but I did have a natural birth using a nurse-midwife in the hospital- would this make me crispy, not crunchy? I'm confused by some of this!
While I definitely feel that environmentally conscious living has gotten way too political, I still see the benefit in being a "crunchy mama." But I also find myself shying away from labels as a whole. I don't fit in a category & even this crunchy mama category is one I can't fully say I fit in. I am proud to make decisions based on what is best for us. I am proud to make every effort I can to live in a way that is conscious of my place as a part of this world & I hope to teach my children the same. It is so important to be conscious of the effect you can have on the world around you, but based on each individual family there are a lot of variables as to how easy it is to be "crunchy."
What about you?
Do you make efforts to be a crunchy mama?
Comments
I am with you - I breastfeed, make my own babyfood, cloth diaper, use cloth wipes, have no chemical cleaners at all in my home, and make my own laundry detergent.
My choices are based more on what is best for my family; what is safe, healthy, and economical. We recycle as much as we can, avoid lables (of course, living here you'd almost go bankrupt paying attention to lables), and I have chosen to work-at-home.
I am happy with my choices. If I didn't live in an apartment I'd garden. It's my dream!!! Oh - and with gardening, of course, would come canning. I'd love to try that!
It's kinda funny because I do a lot of things completely different from how I'd pictured myself doing them before I had my baby.
I always was kind of grossed out of BF, now I love it and dould picture myself doing nothing else.
Ditto on the cloth diapers. Still don't, but might be convinced in the near future.
I thought I'd be letting my baby CIO. Can't do it.
The list goes on.
But maybe with our next baby I will attempt to be a 'crispy' mommy. The cloth diapers I wouldn't mind trying, I would love to breastfeed if I can, and I think making your own baby food is a great idea and much more cost effective!! Though I never knew there was a term for this kind of mommy- but I am definitely not giving up my epidurals during childbirth, what can I say, I am a wimp!
But maybe with our next baby I will attempt to be a 'crispy' mommy. The cloth diapers I wouldn't mind trying, I would love to breastfeed if I can, and I think making your own baby food is a great idea and much more cost effective!! Though I never knew there was a term for this kind of mommy- but I am definitely not giving up my epidurals during childbirth, what can I say, I am a wimp!
Gave birth in the hospital with the epidural and pictocin.
Formula fed all 4 kids.
Is baby wearing the same as putting baby in a Bjorn? Cause I did do that. Only Natasha though.
Luvs diapers. I can do the 27 cents a diaper if it means less laundry time, especially since i don't have a home washer.
I am co-sleeping, but only because I can't get Damian out of my bed and I just can't spank my babies, but I can yell at Damian when he touches the stove or takes things out of the trash.
Semi-Soggy?
I do try to use eco-friendly cleaning supplies, products.
Graet post!
I'm all for moms doing whatever works for their family. And it sounds like you are doing exactly what is right for yours. :o)
Mama Hen
Come by and check me out, I saw your blog featured on SportyMamaSays!
http://mommyonlyhastwohands.blogspot.com
Although I am still "cooking", I plan to breastfeed, cloth diaper (once her stump falls off), slowly move into cloth wipes, research making my own food, conserve as much energy as possible around the home, line-dry as many items as possible, RECYCLE, and research homemade cleaning products.
Non-crunchy things include strict discipline, routine, medical interventions as needed, and (dang it) taking a longer shower.
Loving the "crispy" adjective.
p.s. i'm from oregon and have been an avid recycler for years and years... way before it was ever cool. isn't that enough to make me a little bit 'crunchy' anyway? heh heh. ;)