Practical, Family-Friendly, and Nervous-System-Approved
Real sustainability starts with what you don’t buy. Here are 10 easy, real-life swaps I use with my family to support health and healing without the overwhelm.
✨ Start With What You Already Have
Before we dive into the list, let’s talk about the most important “crunchy tip” of all:
✋ Stop buying new stuff.
Yes — even the eco-friendly, low-tox, beautifully packaged swaps.
The most sustainable, healing, and nervous-system-aligned thing you can do? Reuse and repurpose what you already have.
That might mean:
- Cutting up old towels for cleaning rags instead of buying paper towels
- Swapping out single-use latex gloves or cotton rounds for reusable cloths
- Using up what’s in your cabinet before replacing it with a cleaner option
Less consumerism = less clutter, less waste, less pressure.
And a whole lot more ease and intention.
Remember: it’s not about looking crunchy, it’s about living in integrity with your values — at your own pace.
🌍 Top 10 Crunchy Swaps That Actually Stick
1. 🥤 Plastic Bottles → Stainless Steel or Glass Bottles
Why: Reduces plastic exposure + saves money
Bonus Tip: Keep one in your car, diaper bag, and by your bed. Refill wherever you go!
2. 🧴 Conventional Cleaners → Non-Toxic Brands (or DIY)
Why: Less endocrine disruption, asthma triggers, and environmental pollution
-Choose plastic-free, refillable, or compostable options for laundry, soap, and all your household cleaning (and for personal/cosmetic items too!)
My Faves: Murphy Oil Soap, castile soap, Package Free (top ecobrands reviewed here)
*or DIY with baking soda, borax, or vinegar + citrus peels for a natural disinfectant
3. 🧼 Body Lotion → Natural Oils
Why: Your skin is your largest organ!
Easy Start: Coconut oil, jojoba oil, or shea butter with a drop of essential oil
4. 👕 Fast Fashion → Thrift or Swap
Why: Reduces landfill waste, supports circular fashion
Try: Local swap events, Poshmark, or good old Goodwill magic
5. 🦷 Fluoride Toothpaste → Herbal or Mineral-Based Paste
Why: Supports remineralization without synthetic additives
Faves: Boka and Dentacidin (contain nano-hydroxyapatite), Uncle Harry’s
*can DIY with baking soda, calcium carbonate, xylitol + bentonite clay
🧵 Bonus Swap:
Conventional plastic floss →
- Refillable floss containers (like Me Mother Earth — vegan, chic, and compostable!) with charcoal floss
- Compostable floss picks: provides easy reach for young flossers
6. 🛍️ Plastic Grocery Bags → Cotton or Mesh Reusables
Why: Cuts down microplastics + adds style to your market haul
Pro Tip: Keep 2-3 in your car or purse at all times
*can also repurpose old totes or pillowcases into bags, and use old bags for garbage collection vs buying garbage bags
7. 🧽 Conventional Dish Sponges → Compostable Natural Options
Why: Less bacteria, no plastic shedding
Try: Loofah sponges, coconut scrubbers, or Swedish dishcloths
*Try repurposing old dishcloths as scrubbers
8. 🧻 Bleached TP → Reusable or Recycled Toilet Paper
Why: Better for the planet, safer for your sensitive parts
Brands: top eco-brands, including reusable options discussed here
*Or opt for a bidet – the cleanest, most eco-friendly and economical choice!
9. 🍼 Plastic Food Storage → Glass or Stainless Steel
Why: Reduces BPA/BPS exposure + keeps food tasting fresher
Quick Swap: Replace one container at a time (hello, mason jars!)
10. 🎧 Constant News Scrolling → Nature Time + Herbal Tea
Why: Your mind matters just as much as your materials
Micro Ritual: Repurpose your tea time as screen-free sacred time = Drink your tea by a window, barefoot in the grass, or with calming music
**Check out hubs like ZeroWasteStore for reusable options mentioned.
💫 Final Thoughts
These swaps aren’t about chasing crunchy perfection.
They’re about creating a lifestyle that feels good to your body, soul, and the Earth.
Your nervous system doesn’t need another mandate — it needs micro wins.
And your planet doesn’t need more “greenwashed” consumption — it needs less waste and more heart.
Every tiny shift is a vote for the world you want to live in.
Start with what you have. Build from there. And trust the process.
🧰 Bonus Resource: My Medicine Cabinet Makeover Guide
Ready to take it further?
I created a free guide to help you swap synthetic, chemical-laden products for natural herbal alternatives in your self-care routine — from first aid to immune support.
✨ Grab the Medicine Cabinet Makeover now at marinabuksov.com and start turning your medicine cabinet into an apothecary of empowerment. 🌿
📩 Let’s Stay Connected
Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more practical magic, crunchy swaps, and holistic healing tips for real-life humans.
