Artificial intelligence defines a “crunchy” person as someone who embraces an environmentally conscious, holistic lifestyle, often involving natural products, org anic food, alternative medicine, and liberal political views. I found out the term originated from “crunchy granola,” which was used to describe natureloving, earth-conscious people.

Laugh if you want, but I am now one of those people.

I try to use natural ingredients made of plants instead of taking pills for every ache and pain I have. I use essential oils for pain, sleep, calmness, anxiety, and even cleaning, and have replaced as many of my regular meds that I could with a healthier option or alternative.

In my opinion, not all medications or additives that are added to your food are good for you or your body. If you read the ingredients listed on one of your favorite foods, I bet you won’t recognize half of them. Which also leads me to, “If you can’t pronounce it, you probably shouldn’t be using or eating it.”

I took it a step farther last month when I visited my daughter and her family in Wisconsin. After she confided that she’d been using acupuncture for various reasons, I decided I wanted to try it, too. However, it wasn’t just acupuncture; it also included a Reiki spiritual healing.

For those who have never heard of Reiki, it has been around for centuries and practiced in Japan and other countries. The doctor or technician uses their hands to basically channel a form of life force energy/healing over you, hovering or placing their hands on your body or an affected area.

Since I have bad knees because of arthritis, I chose that area for the doctor to focus on.

I was told to lay the front part of my body face down on what looked like a massage table. She then elevated my knees and legs, while placing a heating lamp on my right knee. Since I was laying face down, I couldn’t see the needles she was placing from my hips to the bottom of my feet. I decided that was probably for the best, although the only needles I felt going in were around my ankles.

After talking for a bit, she left me alone like that for about 20 minutes. I was told to relax and clear my head and about five minutes in, I could feel my toes twitching on their own.

I was told that was a good sign and normal when messing with the deep tissue of your body. About 10 minutes later, I felt my eyes growing heavy and imagined myself on a beach with waves crashing in the background.

When the door opened and the doctor walked in, I couldn’t believe how fast time went by or the fact that I had almost fallen asleep. I got up, dressed and walked down the stairs with no pain in my knees at all.

At my daughter’s house, I ran up and down the stairs multiple times with no pain or inflammation. I’m not going to say it was a cure but it lasted for about three weeks, and I am ready to try it again.

So the next time you see me and complain of some ailment, be prepared. You might be getting homemade essential oil in your stocking for Christmas.

And how was your week?