Sewingmom - question on crunchyness

PrairieMom wrote: what all are you into? I don't mean to pry, but I use PC as a place to educate myself on parenting and life, and you are coming across as a person with experience in the "crunchy things"
like are you a cloth diapering, home made baby food, Breast feeding type gal?

PrairieMom replied: OMG I slaughtered your name.

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:

I CD, BF, say NO to circ & vaxes, try my best to eat organic (it's SO $$$$ though!!), but I do make almost everything homemade. We drink raw milk & make our own butter too. I skip the pureed baby food though. I also use a sling, not so much anymore as my youngest is almost running.

Where do you live Prairiemom? I'm assuming the Midwest somewhere.

Crystalina replied: I don't get "crunchy".

Is that a new slang term I'm unaware of? I'm being totally serious here.

luvmykids replied: How many children do you have, and what part of the country are you in, sewingmama? Just curious.

holley79 replied: Why is it called "crunchy"?

PrairieMom replied:
good guess. South Dakota. But i live in the City. An acutall city (since some don't realize we have those) LOL

I agree organic stuff is so spendy. i am slowly being converted, and about 1/3 of my groceries I bought today were organic. I would love to buy local too, but we have no local produce here right now.

I do have an organic garden tho in the summer time. I wish I could get my hands on organic meat, but ever one here vac their cattle.

Calimama replied:


Mother who supports home birth, 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. See crunchy and hippie.



http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=crunchy+mama

Oh sorry, I meant to quote Crystal.

PrairieMom replied:
its a hippi thing, I think it goes back to berkenstocks and granola.

Crystalina replied:
We are totally being ignored.


::ETA::

Ok, disregard that whole "being ignored" thing.

holley79 replied:
I wear berkenstocks and eat granola every morning.

I still don't understand why it would be called crunchy. now I'm going to have to go google it.

PrairieMom replied:


I'm more el dente'.

luvmykids replied:

luvmykids replied: SewingMama, you remind me of another member, Molly....too bad she's not around anymore, you share very similar views

holley79 replied:
I was just thinking the same thing.

PrairieMom replied:
yeah. I agree. I was thinking the same thing. Molly had another baby you know. She has been gone forever. I miss her.

holley79 replied:
How many kids does she have now? I bet the others are all grown up by now.

luvmykids replied:
Wow, I had no idea!

PrairieMom replied:
no idea. some one here keeps up with her, i think it was just one more than she had before. maybe 5? I remember her saying that she was going to try to be diaper free with her next one, I wonder how that is working for her.

luvmykids replied:
Oy, I would really have to admire someone who could do that!

Boys r us replied:

Tara, vax free cattle is hard to find. We actually were able to find a local farmer who does this for us. It is SOOO much better for you, regular meat is like eating poison. That's my tangent for the day..LOL I'm sooo not crunchy either..but I do like organic foods for my family and Alliebelle has ONLY hormone free milk..we don't need boobs at age 7!!

PrairieMom replied:
I know quite a few people with cattle and none of them are vax free. I even asked my cattle raising friend about it and she was like "its a non-option"
at least they are free range. I wish I could save up the $ to buy a 1/2 a cow from her.

Boys r us replied: It's not a non-option. These cattle are raised on a small farm, he doesn't have herds and herds, just a few each year and he hand feeds them special feed and takes excellent care of them..kinda icky to think we eat them actually. LOL We rarely eat red meat aside from steak, so we split it with my parents and stock up both of our freezers for about 3-4 hundred a piece every year. Not bad.

kit_kats_mom replied:
LOL at not knowing what crunchy means.

I've been a crunchy on the inside momma for a long time. I'm a suburban mom who extended BF both girls (until 2 when one self weaned and the other I had to wean for my health), still co sleeps most nights with my 3 yo, slung both girls, made some baby food but I never cloth diapered. The service wasn't avail in our area at the time.

Welcome to the board.

Hillbilly Housewife replied: Oh I remember Mollie really well.. I liked her!!

I think some of her kids were Quentin, Logan and Hannah..maybe an Ethan in there too? I remember she had 5 and was trying for a 6th... I guess she got her wish! I learned a lot from her, and those prefolds she had were just adorable!!

Hillbilly Housewife replied:
Umm... the siggy wasn't enough info?

Crystalina replied:

Calimama replied:

MommyToAshley replied:

LOL! I have been looking for a term that describes me, and that's it. LOL! I did BF until Ashley was 16 months when she weaned herself, I didn't CIO, and I do prefer organic veggies and hormone free milk and meat. However, I did use disposable diapers and I was too afraid to co-sleep. (However, I did rock her to sleep). I do vax. And, there's no way I could find the time to make my own baby food, but admire those that do. So, I am el dente as well.

PrairieMom replied:
huh. Believe it or not, I never noticed her siggy.

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
I have 6; 3 of each. I'm in the Midwest too.

Crystalina replied:
What are their ages?

My sister has 7 (ages 1-15) and my house is more chaotic with 2 then hers is with 7.

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
Oldest is 14, youngest is 1.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
I actually use to think that it took a long time, but actually it doesn't. I use to make Aiden his baby food, for the short time he did eat pureed food and it didn't take me long at all. And it saved SO much money, and totally better for them too. Baby food is so expensive in the stores, it's nuts.

Kaitlin'smom replied:
just a question on this and I truly wish I had put more effort into making my own, would you not only need a good blender?

PrairieMom replied:
ONLY if you eat more nutritiously. with Some of the stuff we ingest... probably better to buy baby food.

luvmykids replied:
I had a baby food grinder, it was great, you could adjust how fine or coarse you wanted it to mash things like cooked veggies. Now I'd just use my magic bullet.

My2Beauties replied:
I have one of those, they are so awesome. Question to anyone who makes their own baby food, do you add anything to it, like if you want to puree carrots, do you add water or anything? I'm totally serious, if that's a stupid question LOL!

Hey Jennie, baby food is really cheap around here, like 30 cents or so for a jar, and you can get two big take along plastic tub like things of it for like 80 cents.

moped replied: OMG i wish baby food was that cheap here - like 70 cents or more at walmart......

Boo&BugsMom replied:
I just used our plain old blender and it worked great!

Tara, very true.

lisar replied: Okay props to the people who made there own baby food and all. I just dont have enough time in the day to try and do things like that. And all the local farmers here vax so thats not really an option for me. And to be honest I dont know a whole lot about the organic stuff.

And Raw milk??? What is that? Real milk that sits out and then you drink it. Clarify for me please. I am an idiot and not sure what your meaning.

PrairieMom replied:
yup, hummm grind up these here chicken mc nuggets, or puree chicken and broccoli in a jar...

Boo&BugsMom replied:
See, now that doesn't "seem" like a whole lot of $$$, but when I'd make my baby food I could cut the cost down to about 1/8 that amount. I could buy 3 bananas and get about 12 meals out of it ( 2 ice cube trays full).

I used my blender. Depending on the type of food it was I added water. Fresh fruit and veggies (pre-cook the veggies depending on the type) I would add water. Occassionally I used canned carrots, I would not add water with those because they were already really mushy. I then filled up the mixture into ice cube trays, froze them, then would just pop them out when needed.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Ok, I never used chicken nuggets, but I wouldn't put it past someone to try it. I usually used fresh fruit and veggies.

luvmykids replied:
I didn't do organic or anything either, back then it wasn't nearly as popular and easy to find. I just used regular foods that I was already making and mashed them up

I have no idea what raw milk is, I'm guessing maybe not pasteurized?

PrairieMom replied:
yeah, but I am ashamed to admit that we consume an embarrassing amount of them.
When (IF) I have another baby I will hopefully be cloth diapering, and making my own baby food.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Never did the cloth diapering and applaud all who do (just not for me personally), but I will admit to the consumption of chicken nuggets as well. We don't go to McD's much or anything, but we get a fair amount of them from the grocery store. I just never pureed them! But they do taste so good dipped in vadalia onion dressing. YUM!

Boo&BugsMom replied:
I believe you are right.

PrairieMom replied:
mmmmmmm. Stop. I am supposed to be getting crunchy. Can't do that eating chicken Mc nuggets. I like them with hot mustard dipping sauce. Ugh. I must repeat to myself, "I will not go to mc donalds today...I will not go to mc donalds today...I will not go to mc donalds today..."

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
Raw milk is neither pasteurized or homogenized. We get ours hormone-free as well from a small dairy farm. There's lots of benefits to raw milk, check out http://www.realmilk.com .

Kaitlin'smom replied:
do you cover the trays?

what a clever idea...........

HuskerMom replied:
That's what we do sometimes. We went in with Dh's parents and bought a cow a couple years ago. We had a lot of meat and it tasted so much better and tasted fresher then the meat at the store. Just recently we bought a hog too and it tastes so much better too. We're hoping to buy another cow sometime.

I had never heard "crunchy" also. Learn something new everyday!

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Yes, with foil or plastic wrap, then I usually pop them all into a large bag to store after they are frozen so I can make some more with the trays.

jcc64 replied: I'm what many of you would call "crunchy", though back in the day, it was just a hippie. It's not limited to a parenting style, but an across the board attitude about life: socio-politically liberal, environmentally conscious, cloth shopping bag using, hemp favoring, alternative medicine, attachment parenting, etc.. You get the picture now, right?
To look at me, you'd never know. I don't wear Birkenstocks or flowing batik skirts. I vax my kids, I drive an SUV, and I'm not a gentle and loving hippie type. But for alot of what I've described above, the shoe fits.

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
ITA. I use cloth shopping bags & menstrual pads, too, along with cloth diapers. I still have paper towels & toilet paper around, but I'm hoping to phase out the paper towels soon. Cloth in the bathroom is a bit much for me though. I won't go that far. I think of the messes the kids & DH make & shudder!

I don't dress like a hippy either, just average. I drive an SUV too, with 6 kids you NEED a big vehicle, but I proudly have my Cloth Diapering Mama & Breastfeeding...Nature's Health Plan magnets on the back!

grandma replied: I breast fed, cloth diapered, drank raw milk, dressed like and was hippie....
Now my husband has a sign at our cabin that reads "An old hippie lives here with his flower child"
Cruncy??? I'm sticking with old hippie!

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
LOL, I prefer crunchy over hippie. BTW, here's a quizz to take to determine your "crunchiness": http://www.themoralesfamily.us/granola.htm

Of course, I'm "WOW!~Crunchier than Grape Nuts!" . I scored a 180.

Hillbilly Housewife replied:


I got a 141.

169-130 Super Nutty, Ultra-Crunchy, Granola Earth Mama!

I can't imagine not shaving, omg... can you imagine the pit stink?

Crystalina replied:
Do you make your own baby wipes? I did that a couple of times. They smelled awesome. An Amish woman taught me how. So easy and fast to make.

tammyhopkins replied: OMG i am embarrased to say i scored 27. But i don't like laundry and well i could come up with many excuses as to why i only got 27 LOL

holley79 replied: I scored a 62. There is no way in Hades I could go without shaving.

Crystalina replied: My score was 26.




Can I ask? What the heck does not shaving have to do with anything? So the hairier you are and the more you look like Sasquatch (not saying anyone here does, I just have a visual ) the crunchier you are? Is that a good thing? I'm just not understanding what shaving has to do with anything.

Calimama replied:
Call me crazy, but I wear shoes, shave, and wear make up. I got 61. All I really do is buy organic.

kit_kats_mom replied: lol. I'm 121-"love that whole grain crunch"

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
I use cloth wipes, and I do make my own. I just use a serger to sew around the edges. My favorite fabric for wipes is soft, fluffy sherpa.

PrairieMom replied: I took the test and I am a 49. Way higher than I would have been at this time last year. I don't know how much crunchier I am going to get tho.

Crystalina replied:
Oh, you use fabric?

The Amish taught me with half a roll of paper towels.

holley79 replied:
That's what my granny taught me to use was a solution and a roll of paper towels cut in half.

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
LOL, I thought the Amish would be crunchier than that! Yes, I use real cloth fabric for my baby wipes.

Crystalina replied:
No, they aren't really.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Tara, I'm 47! Sprinkled with crunchy!

luvmykids replied:
Someone made something like that for me too, the solution was a little water, baby soap, and some kind of essential oil, maybe lavendar or something?

PrairieMom replied:
thats no surprise, since we all know you are my long lost twin!

jcc64 replied: Got a 129- whole grain crunch

Cece00 replied: I got a 37. That is all the crunch I will ever need.

My2Beauties replied: I got a 29, sprinkled with granola....barely!

I wear make-up everyday, I shave every day, especially the pits, the legs I can go a day or two. Some of the answers didn't ahve one for me like the co-sleep. I only try to co-sleep if it's absolutely necessary for me to sleep, other than that I won't do it , they didn't have that one, so I did part time.

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
I thought you had more crisp to you than that! I'll convert ya, give me some time !

luvmykids replied:
I'm just guessing, but considering that a large portion of crunchiness is based on all things natural, it would be considered more natural to not shave, therefore, crunchier

Kaitlin'smom replied: I am supprised I was a 54 lots of things I said I was thinking about since it does not currently apply to me.

PrairieMom replied:
I do things they didn't mention like line dry my laundry, recycle as much as possible, ride my bike instead of driving when possible, but those are more environmental things.

What i have learned about crunchy-ness I have learned here. I didn't even realize there was a different way to live until I found PC.
there have been a few ladies here that have really inspired me.

mommy~to~a~bunch replied: That's cool Tara! I do all of that too, except the bike riding. Can't take 6 kids with me on a bike !

MommyToAshley replied: I scored a 51... 59-20 Sprinkled with granola!

Ok, so maybe I am not as el dente as I thought. LOL.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I'm a 72. Pretty crispy.

Crystalina replied: I don't think I would mind being crunchy to a point. I would shave though. I guess I'm just too lazy to be crunchy. Kudos to all you crispy critters!

moped replied: I didn't take the test but bet I am about a 2

PrairieMom replied:
I have a pull along trailer that fits 2 children up to 100 pounds, and has a little luggage compartment too. I love it.

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
We have one of those too. It's just finding the time to use it! Maybe this summer!!

HuskerMom replied:
That was pretty close to my score!

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Considering we're pretty alike Jen you're probably right.

TAKE IT...I wanna know!!!

My3LilMonkeys replied: I got a 60 - very surprising, since I don't consider myself even close to crunchy!

Calimama replied:
Don't you breastfeed? Then I bet you get higher than 2!

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Yes she does (I think?), and she swaddles! Can't remember if swaddling is on there though. Is swaddling even considered crunchy? I dunno.

moped replied: Ok give me a minute - I'll take it

moped replied: Ha - I scored a whopping 5!!!!!!!!!!!

No kidding - Oh boy

Instant Oatmeal!

If something makes my life easier I am all about it!

Calimama replied:

moped replied:
I think breasfeeding was the only thing that gave me ponts - but I also give BM in a bottle sometimes and the occasional formula - well Laila hasn't had formula but Jack did at 7 weeks - oooooo bad mom here

oh well!

moped replied:
How the heck did you get a 27 when I got a 5??????????

I know your style

Did you quit shaving or something?

A&A'smommy replied: okay its not working for me GRRR

redchief replied: HAH! I scored a 14! I think crunchie is just a euphemism to make you hippies feel better. Hippies generally annoy me, except for Jeanne, whom I thoroughly enjoy engaging in worthlesswhile debate.

Soooo... That makes me gooey I suppose? Pasty? The hippie sight called me oatmeal.

Hillbilly Housewife replied:

redchief replied:
Oops... I didn't mean that Jeanne was the only hippie I had fun with. I have a lot of fun with lots of you hippies, especially you, Rocky. Except I've decided that it's not in the best interest of Canada or the rest of the free world to encourage you.

Hillbilly Housewife replied:
Darn, you got the top spot.

Nina J replied:
I only read about 3 posts so sorry to butt in here, but what is raw milk? Is that like if you get milk straight out of the vat in the dairy before a tanker comes to get it? I know heaps of people who own dairy farms and get there milk out of there own vat, is that raw milk?

I saw a show where they had people in America who were buying milk that was sold as animal milk, but people brought it for themselves. It was a way to get past the laws. It never actually said what raw milk is though, I thought maybe they got it straight from a cow to a bucket to a container. Or straight from the vat before it goes to the factory.

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
Yep, straight from the bulk tank. But it's VERY hard to find farms that don't use artificial hormones or vaxes. And yes, sometimes people have to sell it as "pet food" in order to get it, but it's well worth it.

Boo&BugsMom replied:

And you are not a bad mommy. Everyone has their own style!

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
As long as it doesn't hurt or harm the child, and you are making TRULY INFORMED decisions, have read the risks, and not blindly trusting anyone, then yeah, whatever floats your boat!

Kirstenmumof3 replied: Okay I took the quiz and only scored 52. But a lot of it really didn't pertain to me. I made my own baby food, Claudia slept in the same room with us for at least 6 mths. She was breastfeed until she was 20 mths old, never had formula only expressed breastmilk. I can't use herbal remedies because the interactions with my other medications are unknown. I tried to use a snuggly, but could never get it to work right and my back just killed me. I only wear make-up when I'm going to a wedding, dinner at a nice resturant, stuff like that because I'm allergic to make-up. In the summer time all I wear are my crocs or sandles, have no idea where to even buy berkenstakes (sp?), buy HELLO it's the middle of winter here. I do shave my legs and pits. I don't know I think the quiz was just a little to vague and didn't offer enough choices.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Yeah, I agree, a bit vague.

I never had a snuggy for Tanner, but Aiden didn't like his much. I rarely used it. I wanted him to like it, , but he truly hated the thing. I actually went through 3 different ones thinking it was the kind, but he just didn't like to be worn.

PrairieMom replied: I agree that it didn't have enough choices. Like I had to choose that I BF, but supplemented with bottles of BM and formula, because that is was I did, BUT my INTENT was to only BF for at least the first year, supplementing BM bottles only when I had to go to work, unfortunately, BF just didn't work for me. (and y-all know the struggle I had with it)
anyway, that knocked me down a few hippie points.

grandma replied: A true hippie would balk at the idea of testing to see how 'hippie' they were, JMO

Crystalina replied:

3_call_me_mama replied: I got a 164.
169-130 Super Nutty, Ultra-Crunchy, Granola Earth Mama!
i think the shaving threw me under the 170 mark! LOL

But a lto of it is really stuff that requires no effort.
and other stuff is lifestyle choie nad inforemd decision.
I deciede that once i found out what really went into stuf fand how bad of a shape our workd was in that I nede dot do what I could for my family to fix what i could
and yeah there shoudl have been more things liek recycling etc.. btu peopel consider that "green" and not crunchy I guess !~

Oh nad those that were wondering about Mollie
she's doing great. Her baby (kiddo #6 ) Abby just turned 1 not that long ago. I talk with her on another board i go to often and we email a bit, when time allows. I'm REALLY lookign forward ot getting a chance to go meet her this year. We are probably gonna dirve and camp along the way. She's doing great and I know that she will be thrilled that so many of you were thinking of her
gotta run.. kiddos in the laundry pile! (and it's diaper day so if i don't get in there graham's diapers will be everywhere! :LOL)

My2Beauties replied:
You'd be surprised I was a 29 and I'm the least crunchiest person in the world!

Hillbilly Housewife replied: OMG - SIGGY!

MOLLIE!!!!!!!!

Wow, totally awesome! Glad to have you back!!!!!!!

PrairieMom replied:

mommy~to~a~bunch replied: Hi!

My3LilMonkeys replied: Nice to see you!! How funny that everyone was reminded of you by, well, yourself!

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
I'm surprised most remembered me! That makes me feel good!

~Roo'sMama~ replied:
Lol I knew as soon as I saw your first post. Nice to see you again Mollie!

luvmykids replied:
I KNEW it, LOL

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: Wow, I got a 72: "pretty crispy". I'm pretty far from being crunchy though. I do buy a lot of organic foods, bring cloth reusable bags to the store, get my milk from a local dairy, delay vax, totally freaked by all the lead recalls, and have done my share of hollistic type stuff...But I shave, dye my hair...and god forbid, you all know I wouldn't wear birks.

Welcome back Mollie! I know you're sortof in the minority around here (I just read the vax post ), but I just want you to know that it is actually refreshing to read a different side of things.

holley79 replied:

Crystalina replied: Wait a minute! I don't understand the whole no vax thing. What about this vax? Would you not want your kids protected?

redchief replied: OMG, that's HILARIOUS. I think I've had cooties for a long time. I didn't know there was a shot!

Anthony275 replied: i had that

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
Rae! Thank you! Being in the minority is always hard.

Hi Holley !!!

kit_kats_mom replied: Oh Mollie! You stinker!

Welcome back. You've been missed.

Nina J replied:
Maybe I should start drinking raw milk. I have relative's who live less than 10 minutes from me on a dairy farm, they don't use any artificial hormones or anything.

Welcome back, btw

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
I stink?!?

Thanks Cary!


Nina - I wish we had a dairy that close! Ours is about 45 minutes away.

MommyToAshley replied:
It can be rough to be in the minority -- on some issues you may be in the minority and others you may be in the majority. We just have to remember to not take it personally. We're discussing our thoughts about a topic, we disagree on the topic not about the person. Even though it is tough, I love it because it gets me to really look at the issue and do my own research.

Anyways, welcome back!!

mommy~to~a~bunch replied:
Thanks Dee Dee! You said it very well! I'll remember that too.

Calimama replied:
Well said. I also wanted to add that although you (general you) may not agree with someone's opinon on parenting choices (ex. co sleeping, vax's, etc) but there is a way to state your point WITHOUT belittling the other person. You don't see too much of that negativity here though luckily.