The Beginner's Guide to Getting Crunchy:: Part 1

These days, I've been getting a little crunchy if you will. You know.. Like an oil pulling, granola eating, essential oil using gal. I'm actually super excited to start the at home yoga classes Beth shared yesterday. I'm a little scared of taking a class, so I feel like it's the perfect fit right now. This change started when I started hearing a little whisper reminding me.. your body is a temple. I've been trying to go meatless and make wiser choices about what I'm eating lately, but I've also been trying a more holistic approach to my health. If you really think about it, it really does matter what you put in your body whether it's food, makeup and other beauty products- you are ingesting it all.

First of all, I am by no means an expert in any of these things. I'm new at most of these things, and just learned from reading the internet or from other crunchy friends. (molly & jenna)

I've been using essential oils for a few months now. And I'm a firm believer in them. I used to use allergy medicine and that terrible, awful nose spray. Yes, I even brought a lifetime supply over to Rwanda when I was living there so I wouldn't run out. I would literally use it at least 15 times a day, and I felt like I couldn't breathe without it. That's scary. It has terrible side effects, so I knew I had to kick the habit. After seeing this post on The Anderson Crew Blog, I purchased some lavender oil, and became a convert. I rub it over my sinuses before bedtime, and I am seriously good to go. Unless this crazy Texas weather makes my allergies unbearable, I have continued to use it once a day and no longer use medicine or nose spray, and I feel like a new person now. I've converted a few people, and they are now believers. I actually put lavender on pretty much everything. It's kind of a running joke with my bestie to "rub some lavender on it". I could obviously do an entire essential oils post since this is getting to be so dang long. Any interest out there?

Another favorite thing to do with essential oils is to take a detox bath. Hum.in.a. I am already the worlds biggest fan of a bath, but put some epsom salts, baking soda and lavender oil in there, and I'll stay in till it gets cold. Lots of people say they are a good body detox and are good when you have a cold, or also if you're having achy muscles. All I do is put 2 handfuls of epsom salts, 1/4 cup baking soda and about 10 drops of lavender (or whatever oil you love). When you get out, be sure to drink tons of water. It's just like a massage to me- all those toxins in your body are being shaken up, so you've got to help your body flush it all out. I'm excited to try some new ones! From what I've read, you're supposed to take one a week. Add a good book, candles and a glass of vino, and you're set.

Oil Pulling is something that I've been doing about 3 weeks now. I am horrible at being consistent about doing it in the morning, mostly because coffee. Duh. But, sometimes I do it when I'm getting ready for the day- it totally makes the 20 minutes go by faster when you're showering. Basically, it's a full body detox, strengthens your teeth & gums, and whitens teeth. I can definitely tell it has whitened my teeth, and it just makes my mouth feel cleaner. I pull with coconut oil- it has some amazing benefits- like being anti-bacterial & anti-fungal. I just leave a container of it out in my bathroom so I'll remember to do it and grab a finger full. It's definitely weird at first, but I've actually have started loving it.

Also, I really want to try this quinoa granola recipe. Looks delish!

So now that you know how super weird I am, come back for round two tomorrow. I'm sharing how to get crunchy in your beauty routine. Anyone have any crunchy advice they'd like to share?! Feel free to share some favorite recipes too! We are all about it over here.