Really Very Crunchy: A Beginner's Guide to Removing Toxins from Your Life without Adding Them to Your Personality

I really enjoyed this book. I have been following Really Very Crunchy on Instagram for awhile now and I was one of the people she references who took a long time to establish whether she was being 100% serious, totally making fun of crunchy people or something in the middle. So it was gratifying to hear her honest and true take on it all. I think she has a really balanced mindset. I appreciate how non-judgemental the book was and all the not necessarily crunchy wisdom.I rarely read nonfiction and when I do I usually never finish but this book I polished off in one day, I couldn't put it down. It was quite easy to read and has a gentle natural flow.My only issue with it is that I feel that Emily lacks an understanding of how her practices might be integrated into special needs families or by adults with ADHD who can barely stay afloat as is BUT she mentions all throughout that crunchy is a spectrum and little ways one can live a less toxic life. So that kept me appeased which is why I still give this book 5 stars.On the whole this is an excellent book that at the very least raises awareness of significant issues of modern day life in a gentle and non-judgmental way. Emily is real and honest. She cites her sources and doesn't fear monger.I really wasn't sure if this book would be totally humor or totally serious but it strikes a perfect balance. It is solidly serious and speckled with humor throughout. I appreciate Jason's blurbs at the end of each chapter.I put the book down knowing what little changes I can make to my life right now and feeling good about the small crunchy things I'm already doing. I also know one day I can take further steps if I have the means to.I highly recommend!

Five stars because I enjoyed every minute reading this book, and couldn't find anything to critique! Really Very Crunchy is just a delightful, quick, fun read, recommended for anyone who has ever even considered making lifestyle changes or who has followed her social media account. I found RVC on IG early in 2022, and have looked forward to every new post. She and her husband Jason have a well-edited gig going with these satirical granola-mom videos, and I admit for the first 6 months I couldn't tell if she was sincere or cynical, so if you want to find out, read her book. I have a long list of friends and family I think would enjoy her musings! She has some hilarious anecdotes, and if I could make one thing better about this book, I would wish for more details on some of her life lessons. But that, I believe, is what their new podcast is all about. I listened to the first episode and it was full of those kinds of stories. Jason is the straight man, the skeptical husband who chimes in each chapter with his own thoughts about each topic -- and those paragraphs might have been my favorite! His smirk on the videos is better almost than Jim's from The Office. But now that I know they once binge-watched The Office it all makes sense.I am sure I will refer back to this book for some of her recommendations on products or techniques that I haven't quite adopted or mastered yet. I have always been tuned in to the "crunchy" crowd, but have never fully committed to implement all their ways. It probably started when I began babywearing, though. Then we joined a CSA for local, organic food (until I stopped -- I really need to do that again!). Then there is homeschooling -- we're already way weird because of that! I used to follow a blogger called "chewymom" because she was more like soft-baked granola bars -- not fully crunchy, but chewy! On Emily's scale of "silky" to "really very crunchy", I'm probably right in the middle with "scrunchy" on most things. Though now I'm buying wool clothing and wearing bearfoot shoes...who knows what the future holds? Maybe this book was the little push I needed to reconsider more things in my life!Overall, what I enjoyed most about reading this book is that she is entirely encouraging. There is no guilt. She proclaims that crunchy is a spectrum, and any baby steps you can take toward making your life and environment healthier are good. She doesn't want to alienate anyone, and her own personal expreiences with "toxic" crunchy folks have made her the most non-judgemental one of all. There is humor, there is a reminder to consider all aspects of life, including the spiritual and emotional. As she reiterates, the most dangerous toxin is stress. If you are overly anxious about your kid potentially eating a store-bought cupcake at a child's birthday party, that is worse for your health than the cupcake! Amen? Amen.P.S. Just like I re-read books every year or so to encourage me in my homeschooling (For the Children's Sake and Teaching from Rest to name just two), I think this could be a book that I re-read every few years to encourage my crunchy side!

I hate reading. I love Emily.I guess I love Emily more - because I read her book!It is such an easy read - so relatable, so funny, so full of good advice - that I literally don't want to put it down.I'm struggling being a single mom - with feeling like I'm not doing enough but how can I do more; all the dangers in the world and having to pick and choose the battles; all that fun stuff - and then you learn more and the list just keeps growing and growing. Emily gives me comfort that I'm not alone - that I can do what I can do - and not to compare myself. I have a different circumstance than I would like - but I'm doing the best that can do with what I have - and that's enough. There are also tons of ideas on ways I can be more of who I want to be - without adding to the list of impending doom.This was such a comfort and encouraging read!

I fully expected this book to be funny, and entertaining, which it definitely is, and keeps me sucked in and reading, but it's also very encouraging and helpful in so many ways.Each chapter is a new crunchy topic, and very much encouraging the reader to become more healthy (crunchy) by eating healthier, getting outside more, putting screen down, connecting with nature and avoiding toxins etc. Each chapter ends with a note from Jason which was great, and a little test to see if youre crunchy or silky, I loved that, especially on the ones where I am really very crunchy. I highly recommend this book, it's very entertaining and a encouraging.

An uplifting informative read that had plenty of passages for chuckles and smiles. Very straightforward, gives credit where credit is due, properly links to studies in a very convenient in-text clickable format and gives insight into lived experiences that illustrate what life has taught her. I adore how easy it was to read and has plenty of info for me to transition my scrunchy life to more crunchy. Didn't expect the super useful tips around environmental anxiety and lifestyle choices.Also relatable to people who have lived through the difference of poor and broke or are currently living it.Loved the concise lists in between and the lighthearted juxtaposition questions of how silky, scrunchie or crunchie folks would go about spending 5$ at a gas station&similar fun quizlet questions.No dangerous medical gaslighting, no holier than thou attitude. Unlike her satirical characters the author seems to be a woman who learned to give people grace, who has her community, health and nature centered alternative lifestyle she enjoys& reflects on, open to constructive criticism and with integrity.Her husbands additional mini chapters in casual and relatable free talking format, made me think about some memories I have and of course about my consumption or attitude towards it. What striked me most or reverbed most in my heart was a chapter about older people. That is a gem for me and is absolutely on point of what I feel but didn't quite say as elegantly.Wish your family the best on your journey:)

Loved this book! I enjoy watching the author on Instagram and her book did not disappoint! Tons of valuable information on how to live a crunchy lifestyle, but written with humor, in a humble and lighthearted way. Highly recommend.

This was a fun read! Emily’s truth telling, humourous writing style made it hard to put this book down! As a 90’s kid I found many anecdotes brought up childhood memories and I appreciated Jason’s little paragraphs at the end of each chapter. Walking away feeling better about my life choices and also with a challenge to improve in more ways. Way to go!

Loving the book so far! So happy I preordered this. Wholesome stories, humour, practical advice and just overall good vibes! Highly recommend ❤️

I enjoyed reading this book. It was easy to read - I read the first 7 chapters in one sitting! Crunchy is a spectrum and I appreciated that coming through so well in the book. I don’t agree with Emily on every single thing, but this was a great book that would be helpful for people just looking into a more natural and healthy lifestyle and for experienced crunchy moms alike.