It Takes a (Crunchy) Village

Let’s welcome our community partners! Each local business has been inspirational and supportive of the Crunchy Culture community. These are all personal connections, and many were introduced to us by other Crunchy Culturists. Check out their bios, and stay tuned to learn more about their stories.

  • image|logo|https://ahimsayogastudios.com/

    At Ahimsa Yoga Studio, we believe yoga is a path back to harmony with yourself, each other, and the earth. Our warm and welcoming community gathers in beautiful spaces to breathe, move, and reconnect with the simple joy of being.

  • image|Logo|https://airetageclothing.com/ Hemp expert and entrepreneur Miles was looking for a comfortable and sustainable hoody to wear all the time which is how the idea for Airetage was born! Find a range of hemp/cotton blend t-shirts, hoodies and hats that can withstand a workout or hot day at a farmer’s market thanks to hemp’s moisture wicking properties.

  • image|Logo|https://www.breadandmore.net Owner Jenny combines her passion for health with sourdough bread and other treats. Find her products online and at farmers markets in the Geneva and Wheaton areas.

  • image|logo|https://breastthermographycenter.com/

    Dr. Kelly Paulsen, DC, CTT and Christine Banerjee MCHFS, CTT are passionate about informed health decisions, uncovering the root causes and offering natural options to recover their clients vitality and health. We utilize a variety of tools with our clients to put their health puzzle pieces together and recommend a plan of action.

  • image|logo|https://www.chatterpillarsplay.com/

    Chatterpillars was founded on the belief that caregivers want to feel deeply connected to their babies, while also finding community with others in the same stage of life. As a mom of three, I know firsthand that no one hands you a handbook when you leave the hospital. That’s why Chatterpillars offers classes where caregivers can learn about communication development without getting lost in overwhelming Google searches, discover practical play ideas to use at home, and share joy and laughter with their little ones. Nothing brings me more joy than seeing a baby light up at a caregiver who has paused to connect in a playful way. It’s an honor to witness these moments, and the families who join us inspire me just as much as I hope to empower them to feel confident supporting their child’s development at home.

  • image|Logo|https://chicagohealingconnection.com/

    Owner and therapist Robin Shannon takes a holistic approach to mental health. Along with her team she helps individuals form and maintain healthy relationships.

  • image|Logo|https://www.communitydining.com Community connector, Paul is bringing local folks together over mindfully curated farm-to-table meals and meaningful conversation.

  • image|Logo|https://www.instagram.com/dhireart/ Inspired by nature and her native culture, artist Deepthi designs wearable art from all-natural fabrics and plants she forages for herself.

  • image|Logo|https://www.elmolcajetesauces.com Inspired by his own wellness journey, chef Ernesto makes a variety of traditional Oaxacan Moles Sauces that are plant based, vegan, gluten free and 100% natural with no preservatives. Find him online and at a variety of farmers markets and events around Chicagoland.

  • Image|Logo|https://www.elawafarm.org/

    Elawa Farm’s mission is to steward a historic farm that enriches the greater Lake County community as a center for experiential learning to broaden access to education, nutritious food, and our local food system.

  • image|Logo|https://www.everseeeye.com/index.html This locally owned eye glass boutique and optometry practice is led by Dr. Dan Myers. Trained in neuro-optometry Dr. Myers takes a holistic approach to vision health and this Winnetka boutique carries many mindful brands of eyeglass frames.

  • image|Logo|https://findyournicheart.com/ Owner Melissa is a local mom and artist who teaches a variety of arts and crafts classes for kids (and sometimes adults too!). Her exploratory and interactive approach offers an excellent alternative to screen time. Take one of her classes or have her teach at your little one’s birthday party with her mobile art studio.

  • image|Logo|https://www.hotplate.com/flarabakery Run by sourdough power couple Flavina and her partner Rafa, you’ll find uber clean and mindful ingredients in all of Flara’s breads and treats.

  • image|Logo|https://www.https://f-bunny.com/

    Fluffy Bunny is truly a family operation. Owners Izabela and Konstantin put a healthy spin on Eastern European favorites at this Highland Park cafe and community gathering spot. Meanwhile, their son is the head barista, serving up organic coffee drinks and functional teas.

  • image|Logo|https://www.instagram.com/4thdimensionflavors/?hl=en

    Owners Donna and Sean are bringing together their love for food and connection. They craft flavorful soup recipes with care, always mindful of balance and wellness in everyday life. Passionate about building community, they truly enjoy sharing their soups and the joy it brings to others.

  • image|Logo|https://www.ghostsocial.ai Local mom and techie, Sophia is using AI for good vs. evil to help folks make meaningful in-person connections.

  • image|Logo|https://www.goodleyliving.com/ Suburban mom, homesteader and blogger Karina shows that healthy delicious meals don’t need to be laborious and time consuming.

  • image|logo|https://greenlifeswaps.com/

    Green Life Swaps helps families create healthier, more sustainable homes—one simple swap at a time. Through personalized in-home consultations, I guide clients in replacing everyday products with cleaner, eco-conscious alternatives that reduce toxins and waste. Our mission is to make healthy, sustainable living effortless, accessible, and inspiring for every household.

  • image|Logo|https://www.homesteadsaunas.com/ Owner Gloria is a nature enthusiast who has created the ultimate wellness escape and community retreat within a short drive of Chicago.

  • image|Logo|https://honeyhouseab.com/ Beekeeper and “local honey dealer” Anita provides raw honey in its purest form along with a variety of functional loose-leaf teas and a beautiful indoor/outdoor space for events at Honey House in Vernon Hills.

  • image|Logo|https://www.soilandsoulfarm.org Founder and farmer Gabe blends faith with farming at this non-profit regenerative farm in Long Grove. Everything grown at the farm gets donated to a variety of non-profit organizations; Gabe is passing his wisdom along through educational programming for farmers (and future farmers) young and old.

  • image|Logo|https://www.intentionalteasllc.com/ Owner Shanna offers a variety of functional and medicinal tea blends using herbs she mindfully grows on her own property. She also offers workshops to pass along her wisdom about a range of holistic health topics.

  • image|Logo|https://www.ironandacremeats.com/ Iron and Acre’s founder, Peter has put a lot of thought into what goes into his home delivery boxes of pasture-raised meat, eggs, vegetables and more. Iron and Acre was created to help small farms connect with mindful and health conscious consumers.

  • image|Logo|https://nourisherpa.com/ Dr. Jen Stotlar’s own health journey led her to ditch the corporate C-suite and pursue a degree in medicine. As a naturopath, Dr. Stotlar is helping others heal and feel their best with a mix of traditional wisdom and modern technology at her practice in Buffalo Grove.

  • image|Logo|https://www.thepilatesptstudio.com/ Dr. Rachel Miller marries her PT background with her experience as a Pilates instructor at her practice. She takes a holistic and personalized approach to women’s health with offerings like the “Mommy Tune Up” and Pilates reformer classes in her sun-filled studio in Libertyville.

  • image|Logo|https://www.rootdental.net/ After working in a conventional dental practice for many years, Dr. Maggie Grothe was looking for a more personalized and holistic relationship with each patient. This motivated her to open her own holistic dentistry practice in Algonquin where she believes your mouth matters, and so does the rest of you.

  • image|Logo|https://www.rundeepcleaning.com/ Founder, Ramey, blends her wide range of life experiences and passion for holistic wellness to her natural home cleaning service. With the help of her dedicated crew, Ramey won’t just clean your home (sans harsh chemicals) but also fill it with peace and beauty.

  • image|Logo|https://www.shopsorellasol.com Co-founder Nora blends fashion, culture, art and sustainability with mindfully made cotton bags, home goods and accessories. Each fabric is thoughtfully designed by Nora’s sister and hand block printed in India by manufacturers the sisters know and trust.

  • image|Logo|https://thefitinstitutechicago.com/physical-therapy-clinic/vernon-hills-il/ Co-owner Brian is a former olympic speed skater who brings his experience to TFI’s holistic approach to injury prevention, training and recovery. This neighborhood PT practice and sports center offers physical therapy, personal and small-group strength training, Pilates reformer and a recovery room with a cold plunge, sauna and compression boots. TFI has a location in Chicago and Vernon Hills.

  • image|logo|https://thebarabove.com/

    TBA is your trusted source for premium tallow-based skincare, designed for all skin types. While the industry chases trends, we stay ahead by going back to the basics—delivering pure, effective skincare you can trust.

  • image|logo|https://www.therapydistrict.com/

    Therapy District was founded to provide ethical, client-centered Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy services for individuals aged 14 and older. We offer one-on-one, personalized therapy in a welcoming environment—guided by consistency, competence, and genuine care for the needs of our clients and their families.
    Our culture at Therapy District empowers both our clients and employees by honoring and respecting what makes each individual unique—including age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, education, and national origin. We are deeply committed to aligning our workplace culture with our core values and principles, allowing us to take a truly holistic approach to care.

  • image|Logo|https://www.wandafarms.com Farmer Joe has mastered regenerative farming and regenerating community at his family farm in Harvard, IL. Find 100% grass-fed and finished beef, pasture raised chicken, eggs and more at the farm store or at many farmers markets around the Chicagoland area. Take the farm tour led by Joe himself or stop by one of Wanda Farms’ fun events to learn about their holistic approach to caring for their animals and their customers.

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