Episode 111: Choosing Your Lifestyle Might Have Unexpected Consequences with Wren Lloyd

What happens when you decide to build your life around the things that really matter to you, even when those choices are different from what other people expect? In this episode of the Homeopathy247 Podcast, Mary Greensmith speaks with Wren Lloyd about the many choices that have shaped her family life, from living on a smallholding and homeschooling to preparing food from scratch and eventually becoming a homeopath. Creating a Life That Feels Right Wren describes herself and Mary as people who are willing to do things differently. For Wren, that has meant thinking carefully about where she lives, how she raises her children, what her family eats and the type of community she wants around her. She also talks honestly about how decisions made for a family may not always be experienced in the same way by every family member. Life on a Smallholding After years of wanting to live closer to the countryside, Wren eventually moved to a smallholding in the Staffordshire Moorlands. She talks about her kitchen garden, polytunnel, sheep and her love of open countryside. For Wren, living with more space and nature has been an important part of creating a lifestyle that feels comfortable and meaningful. Homeschooling and Family Choices Wren has homeschooled her children for many years and shares both the positive and difficult parts of that experience. She values independent thinking, creativity and giving children more freedom, while also recognising that some of her children experienced challenges around belonging and friendships. Her reflections show that lifestyle choices do not have to be presented as perfect. Families can learn, adjust and change along the way. Going Back to Basic Foods Food is another important part of Wren's lifestyle. She prefers buying basic ingredients and preparing much of her family's food at home rather than relying heavily on ready made products. The conversation includes bread making, yogurt, fermentation, gardening and learning traditional food preparation skills. A healthy diet does not require making everything from scratch, and nutritional needs vary from person to person. The most important goal is a balanced and adequate diet that works for the individual. Finding Like Minded People Mary and Wren also discuss how making unconventional choices can sometimes feel isolating. For both of them, finding people with similar interests has made a big difference. Online communities, friendships and professional networks can make it easier to exchange ideas while still respecting people who choose to live differently. Wren's Journey Into Homeopathy Wren grew up around herbs and some homeopathic remedies, but her interest developed more strongly later in life. She eventually began studying homeopathy partly because she wanted to better understand how it was being used within her own family. Today, she works as a homeopath and is also involved in the Homeopathy Is Changing Lives podcast. Homeopathy has not been established as an effective treatment for medical conditions beyond placebo in high quality evidence and should not replace appropriate medical care. Key Takeaways Healthy living can involve choices across every area of life. Wren values countryside living, homegrown food and self sufficiency. Homeschooling has brought both benefits and challenges for her family. Lifestyle choices may affect different family members differently. Cooking from basic ingredients can create a stronger connection with food. Community can make unconventional choices feel less isolating. It is okay to reconsider choices as your family grows and changes. A healthy lifestyle does not have to look the same for everyone. Listen to Wren Lloyd on their podcast "The Homeopathy is Changing Lives Podcast" Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Q7MQNJpHuK2yUUsZcRcb4?si=F2GMHo_aSva7PwpOoOdzuw Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homeopathy-is-changing-lives/id1757458302 Substack: https://homeopathyischanginglivespodcast.substack.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel and be updated with our latest episodes. You can also subscribe to our podcast channels available on your favourite podcast listening app below: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homeopathy247-podcast/id1628767810 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39rjXAReQ33hGceW1E50dk Follow us on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homeopathy247 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homeopathy247 You can also visit our website at https://homeopathy247.com/