"Hippie" has never been a term that anyone has applied to me, eccentric, now I have been referred to as eccentric. Usually the term is applied by those who are less willing to venture 100% down a path unknown.
Dane, I applaud your spirit, initiative, and more than anything, discipline, to live the way you do. I've tried kefir (just don't like drinking any kind of yogurt drink) My wife is diabetic, and we have the lite, organic argave, its pretty good, I prefer honey though. I shop whole foods markets a decent bit. I'm not wealthy by any means, and I like fair prices, so I pick and choose what I buy there, but I am 100% in favor of organic products, John Robbins's Diet For A New America had a big impact.
Cindi, both you and Dane have stirred the pot on this idea of Kombucha, which now, I have to check into a little more. Also, just wanted to say, I like the way the two of you think.
Ok, perhaps I do have a little hippie in me, I was raised by hippies for God's sake! :-D