I'm Crunchy but....

I'm sure I'm not alone in this.

Do you like any natural living facebook pages that make you feel bad about yourself?  Oh you know the ones.  Where they post pictures of their child's lunch and it includes things like homemade hummus,  quinoa protein balls, jicama sticks, and an apple cider vinegar energy drink.

I can't help but feel overwhelmed when I begin snooping around on those pages.  While I encourage their message of healthy living, I leave feeling very inadequate.

When you come visit us I hope that you get a sense of practicality.  I hope you feel included and not judged.

Sure, I use cloth wipes instead of toilet paper, BUT, I drive a gas guzzling SUV and I always forget my reusable shopping bags.  The point is, we all have our things.  My thing may not be your thing or his thing, but it may align with her thing.  Know what I mean?  Learning about all things organic and natural is a long process.  We need to be helping each other out and patting each other on the back for taking strides in the right direction.  This is not a competition folks.

Katie and I like to think of ourselves as Crunchy for Dummies.  We enjoy getting to chat with people who are brand new to this Crunchy lifestyle and looking for easy help transitioning their daily habits, but we also love being challenged by Crunchy Goddesses that know more than we do.

This is a message from us to you letting you know that we were all new to this lifestyle at some point and we can never stop learning about it.  We are an inclusive Crunchy Bunch and we are glad that you're here!

nkwaagala nnyo {i love you very much}

Have we mentioned how fond we are of our community?

This is the Mohler family.

Jamin and Kara have three munchkins {for now}.  Mahala (11) Abigail (7) and Jaron (6) are very excited at the possibility of receiving not one, not two, but THREE new siblings.

You see, our special friends are in the process of adopting children from Uganda.  Did you know that it costs money, and lots of it, to bring home a sweet child from another country?  To help ease the financial burden we are here to make a deal with you.

We put together two packages for you to chose from.  3 Lip Balms for $5 ($9 value)

or 1 Crusty Foot, 1 Menth Head, and 1 Hand Sanitizer for $15. ($17 value)

Of each package we sell, the Mohler family will receive 70% of each sale.  Please help us bless this family's socks off by ordering one of the packages...and tell your friends, that would help too!

If you aren't in a position to help financially, please be praying for this wonderful family.  Kara asks that you specifically pray that all of the legal issues come together and that God will provide them with the appropriate funds to bring these children into their home.  Kara wants to let all potential adoptive parents know that you shouldn't wait until you have every last penny saved to adopt - if you wait, you will never start.

If you want to save a few bucks on lip balms or our other package deal, bounce over to our website:

www.crunchymamasgoods.com

and order a deal or two!

(Offer valid through website only)

"And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me."  (Matthew 18:5)

What Husbands of a Crunchy Mama Say...

We could not be operating Crunchy Mamas without the support of our husbands.

Thank you Dustin and Stephen
for helping us however you can
for putting up with our late night "business" phone calls
for watching the kids while we sling goods at the farmers markets
for helping us label white tubes
for listening to us brainstorm ideas on how to expand
for understanding why four-gallon sized jugs of aloe vera have now replaced the snack shelf
and for giving us funny material to make photo memes.

We love you!

***Be watching for our special "Yo Mama" series of photos on our facebook page.  What random Crunchy stuff will our husbands say next???***

Crunchy Mamas FAQs

Katie and I LOVE participating in our local farmers markets.  It gives us the opportunity to proudly brag about the awesome products we create.  It's also nice to get to have a face to face with our customers and listen to their needs.  It's just an all around blast!

In an effort for people to get to know us better we hear a lot of the same questions.  I want to take this opportunity to answer some of our most frequently asked questions.  Perhaps you've been wondering some of these same things...

Q.  What is a "Crunchy Mama?"

A.  To us, a Crunchy Mama is a woman who is environmentally conscious and is drawn to a more natural way of living.  The term "crunchy" is a play on "granola".  Now you know!

Q.  Does this stuff actually work?

A.  Ummm...no it is all complete crap.

Just kidding.  Yes, of course it works!  Each product we make came out of necessity for our own family.  For instance, we started making Nobody's Business because Katie's husband was plagued with colitis and took really stinky dumps.  About To Pop came about because Ashley is always pregnant and could never find a good natural product to rub all over her giant belly.  Baby Butt Balm was born because one of our babies is prone to diaper rash and we needed a cloth diaper friendly diaper rash ointment.  This stuff works and we can confidently say that because we use it ourselves.

Q.  Why do you recommend pregnant women not use Smelly Face?

A.  Smelly Face contains carrot seed essential oil and geranium essential oil.  These oils are known to help relieve pain related to menstruation and help regulate hormones.  This is a great benefit for women in general, however these oils are not recommended for pregnant women.  We have a fetus friendly option (Not-So-Smelly) available upon request only.

Q.  Do your products expire?

A.  We use absolutely NO preservatives or chemicals to aid in the preservation of our products.  As with any natural product, Crunchy Mamas goods will not last forever.  This is why we make small batches at a time and may not always have everything in stock.  We suggest keeping an eye on your product for any discoloration or change in odor.  If you don't plan on using your goods within the first few months after purchase, store them in the fridge.

Q.  Do you make food?

A.  No.

Q.  Why does Crusty Foot smell like that?

A.  Patchouli.  What can we say?  You either love it or hate it.  Patchouli is a key ingredient in our Crusty Foot.  It is a known natural deodorizer and antifungal.  Crusty Foot would not be effective or as great if we didn't include patchouli.

Q.  Do you make suncreen?

A.  Unfortunately, we don't feel comfortable putting that out on the market because we don't feel like we can responsibly claim an appropriate SPF.  We advise you look into natural essential oils and carrier oils that contain a natural SPF (carrot seed essential oil, coconut oil, red raspberry seed oil, wheatgerm, to name a few).

Q.  Do you make lotion?

A.  Nope.  But we are working on a hard lotion stick.  Get excited!

Q.  How long have you been doing this?

A.  Crunchy Mamas has been a part of our lives for one year but the adventure started over three years ago when Katie and I began making homemade toiletries and such for our own families.

Q.  Do you offer discounts if I buy in bulk?

A.  YES!  Shoot us an email and we can discuss it further.  (crunchymamas@hotmail.com)

There you have it - some of our most frequently asked questions.  If you have a question or two you'd like us to answer please don't hesitate to contact us.  We love hearing from you!

PITS REJOICE!

What is in your deodorant?  If you're using a commercial product, it is safe to assume that at least one of these dangerous chemicals is an ingredient in your pit stick.  I urge you to research these seven chemicals and see for yourself why you shouldn't be putting this stuff anywhere near your body.

If you desire to confidently answer the question, "What is in your deodorant?" then I suggest you pay close attention to the remainder of this blog post.

We have come up with a heavenly blend of butters, oils, and clays for you to proudly paste your pits with.

Oh boy, your stubbly pits are going to LOVE this stuff!  All you have to do is apply a pea size amount to each pit and call it good.  For some of you, rubbing deodorant by hand onto your armpits is gross.  To you I lovingly say, get over it.  You will survive and it ain't so bad.

Now, for the moment you've been waiting for....

the list of ingredients!

All of our deodorants contain the same base of:

• Organic Cocoa Butter
• Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil
• Organic Shea Butter
• Arrowroot Powder
• Baking Soda (aluminum free)
• Redmond Clay
• Beeswax
• Vitamin E (non-GMO)

Then to make it fancy we add different essential oils.

• Mint pit contains organic peppermint essential oil.
• Her pit contains organic lavender essential oil and organic sweet orange essential oil.
• His pit contains wild harvested frankincense and organic patchouli essential oil.

The arrowroot powder is meant to help keep you dry while the baking soda helps to deodorize.  Redmond clay draws out toxins which also helps remove odor.  Cocoa butter keeps skin moisturized and acts as a protective barrier for your skin.  Shea butter is loaded with antioxidants and is a great conditioner.  Unrefined coconut oil is a natural antifungal AND antibacterial.  Then we throw in fantastic essential oils loaded with extra benefits.  How great is this sounding to you right now??

I want to be sure that you are on the same page as we are.  Our bodies are meant to sweat.  Sweating releases toxins and impurities and it is a good thing.  Our deodorant is not designed to stop sweating altogether.  However, you may notice that after a few weeks of our pit stuff your body may not sweat as much.

If you ask Katie, Mint Pit is where it is at.  Ashley on the other hand, can't get enough of His Pit.  Why don't you give it a try and let us know what you think?

We are thrilled to be able to provide this safe and chemical free alternative for you - even though we couldn't agree on a clever name for it.  (What can I say, sometimes we Mamas can be very stubborn!)  In any event, we hope you love it as much as we do!

Thanks for trusting us with your pits!

Getting to know a Crunchy Mama, Ashley style

You all got to know me a few days ago.  Now it is time to meet the other one.  Yep, you guessed it.  Ashley's turn.  You can finally learn all those little things about this Crunchy Mama that you never thought you would know and few you will wish you never knew.  Ashley is a loose cannon, you just don't ever know what she's gonna say, so here it goes:

20 Questions with Ashley Joan

(that middle name came from her Mom's adorable twin, Joannie!)



1.  Where did you come from?
I was birthed by the one and only Jeannie Newman in Staples, Minnesota.  Well, can I technically say "one and only" considering she is an identical twin?

2.  What is your favorite TV show?
I really want to answer with some cult classic, hipster show like Freaks and Geeks or Portlandia (both shows I enjoy) but if we're being honest here, Revenge and Scandal.  I'm addicted.  I've even been known to get suckered into a certain reality show that involves rose ceremonies and group dates...

3.  How did you meet your husband?
We went to High School together and then later in life he facebook stalked me and asked me out.  Who knew that the guy I was madly in love with in high school felt the same?  Only took us six years after graduating to figure it out.

4.  What is your favorite un-crunchy guilty pleasure?
Egg shaped Reeses peanut butter cups with a diet pepsi on the side.

5.  Why do you have so many kids?
Because I had to keep going until I got a red head!

6.  How do you feel about beer?
The darker the better.  I like 'em stout.

7.  How many times do you shower per week?
2-3 (seriously).  It all depends on how productive I'm feeling during quiet time - because this is the only time I can shower without a toddler playing peek-a-boo with the shower curtain.

8.  How do you generally feel towards food?
I'm addicted and I eat until I hate myself.  You won't ever hear me say "I'm satisfied, that salad really filled me up."  But I will definitely mutter, "Pull over, I'm going to puke, I ate too many ribs."

9.  What is your favorite Crunchy Mamas product?
Crap.  This is hard.  It's a toss up between Smelly Face and Scab Stick.

10.  What do you look for in a man?
Height.  I like a tall guy and I got one!  Oh, and I LOVE beards and guys that actually get my jokes.

11.  What kind of laundry detergent do you use?
I don't.  I just use a Tablespoon of Dr. Bronner's unscented soap and add a few drops of whatever essential oil is handy(tea tree, cedarwood, lavender, eucalyptus...) and that seems to work fine.

12.  What annoys you the most?
The word "sneakers".

13.  Where would your dream house be located?
Right next to wherever Katie's dream house is...because she makes really good soup and I want to be nearby when she makes it.

14.  What did you want to be growing up?
A figure skater.  Special thanks to my brother(Katie's husband) for taking that dream and crushing it until it was unrecognizable.

15.  Do you have any regrets?
YES!!  I fed Philip (my oldest son) soy formula and pumped him full of vaccines.  I have so much guilt about that.

16.  How old are you?
I will be 28 in July - the 15th to be exact, in case you want to send me a card.

17.  What do you do to pass the time when you get bored?
You know I have 4 kids right?  In the rare event that I am truly bored, I will pack up the kids and go for a drive and get ice cream cones.

18.  What is your #1 go to essential oil?
Tea tree.  I love that stuff - so many beneficial purposes.

19.  What celebrity do you secretly wish was your best friend?
Jack Donaghy.  Not Alec Baldwin, just a character he played on TV.

20.  What is one item on your bucket list?
I really want to have a home birth but that's not happening.  For some reason my husband isn't keen on me crowning in a kiddie pool.  A more realistic one is that I want to learn German.  Wunderbar and Guten Tag...I know two words, I'm on my way!

Ok, seriously Ashley?  Who in the heck is Jack Donaghy?  And if you do ever decide to have a home birth, don't invite me, you know how I am.

Testimonial Tuesday: BUG OFF {the best darn bug repellent}

Our BUG OFF has been a huge hit at our local farmers market and we are thrilled!  The idea of people covering themselves in deet makes us sad :(  Needless to say, we are pleased to be providing you all with an all natural alternative.

Today we want to feature a testimonial from one of our loyal fans, Kelly.  We were so happy to receive this testimonial and we hope it convinces you to try our Bug Off and STOP using the stuff loaded with dangerous chemicals.

(Look at that, NO DEET)

"This year has been very warm and with that, I belive our property has seen the early signs of mosquitos. One day after work, I walked up to the barn for maybe 15 minutes, only to get eaten alive! That next Saturday I drove to the Independence Riverview Market to get my Crunchy Mamas Bug Off. Since then, I have yet to be bitten. I feel completely comfortable rubbing it all over my 19 month old because the ingredients are all natural. I bought another Bug Off for my parents River property, so they too, are safe from the summer time pests. I love you guys, and everything you Mamas do. Thank you!"

No, thank you Kelly!  We are happy that those blood suckers are keeping off you this year and we really appreciate your feedback!

{Want to be featured on our Testimonial Tuesday and receive a free lip balm?  Send us a testimonial about your favorite product and if we feature it, you will get a free lip balm of your choice!}