It's no secret that we try to live as naturally, and toxin-free, as possible in our home. We are committed to maintaining a strong immune system, healthy gut health, and mental and emotional wellbeing as naturally and as simply as possible. 

I grew in a home where my mama ground our own organic whole wheat to make our own bread. We used herbs and tinctures before they were hashtags on Instagram. We drank goats milk and ate raw foods. And my mama was cleaning with homemade cleaners and soaps before all the cool kids were! 

And contrary to what she thinks, it wasn't because I thought my mom was completely insane. (Though there were times I had serious doubts - ear candles, anyone?) The main reason I ditched the crunchy lifestyle was because mainstream living was easy. I don't grind my own coffee beans, much less whole wheat! A box of Pasta Roni cost about a dollar, fed my husband and me, and took all of five minutes to prepare. Aches and pains? Pop a couple (or four...or eight as I eventually got up to) ibuprofen. Tired? Just keep chugging the coffee and soda! Sick? Take the OTCs until you can't anymore then go see the doctor for a prescription.

But it caught up to me after about five years. I started experiencing chronic pain and chronic fatigue, and it was so debilitating that I couldn't even carry a gallon of milk across the grocery store. (That's not an exaggeration.)  I was weak, in pain, and completely exhausted all the time. After about a year of doing everything my doctor recommended, he diagnosed me with fibromyalgia, accompanied by chronic fatigue. I was later diagnosed with unexplained infertility.