How JungleFairyFarm Found Freedom in Sustainability—And How You Can Too

Deep in the heart of the Hawaiian jungle, surrounded by volcanoes, fruit trees, and lava tubes, Zoe Durant—better known as @junglefairyfarm on Instagram—has created a life that’s about as far from conventional as you can get. At just 29, she’s raising two kids (ages 8 and 3) living in a solar-powered home she built with her husband, and healing from a stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis, all while inspiring people to question modern society’s normalized way of living.

You’d be remiss to write Zoe off as a modern hippie. Doing so would mean overlooking the deeper reasons behind her life change, and denying yourself the opportunity to reframe your own way of living. Zoe didn’t choose this path for the sake of bohemian ideals. She made a conscious pivot because “normal” life was becoming less and less sustainable—just as it is for so many of us.

Zoe’s Path to Thriving Off-Grid

As a child, Zoe grew up in a family where basic needs were a constant worry. As an adult, she spent years struggling under the weight of rent, utilities, and the nonstop demands of traditional living. Determined to escape the endless hustle, Zoe, her husband, and their children packed it up and headed to the Big Island of Hawaii, Moku O Keawe. “Living this way isn't just about surviving. It’s about thriving,” Zoe tells me. “It’s about taking back control.”

Zoe’s past life couldn’t be more different than the one she’s living now. “I was a dancer in a nightclub, selling liquor—just toxic stuff. I never thought I’d be here, but working with the earth has healed me. It’s what allowed me to beat cancer,” she says. Now, she grows her own food, and when necessary, she harvests her own meat. “The other day, I killed one of my ducks for dinner. Past me would think that was crazy, but now? I can’t imagine eating duck elsewhere. I don’t know what’s in that food or if the animal lived a good life.”

Her relationship with her husband has also evolved throughout the process. “At first, we didn’t see eye to eye. He’s a California guy, used to city life. And now, he’s a jack of all trades. Building things. Wiring solar panels. Installing plumbing with me. We built this house together, and it’s been romantic in the weirdest way. Whenever we’re knee-deep in another crazy project, I’ll look over and ask him, ‘Did you ever think we’d be doing this?’”

Of course, jungle life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. “The hardest part is trusting that things will be okay,” she says. The land they own is affordable because it’s near a volcano, which comes with its own set of challenges, but it made their dream possible. “I stress when it doesn’t rain or when our batteries aren’t charged enough to last through the night.” And, of course, the ever-present mom guilt creeps in. “I worry sometimes that this lifestyle will set my kids apart—like, am I doing the right thing? But at the end of the day, I know I am.”

Her children, both self-sufficient little jungle warriors, are learning lessons most kids will never experience. “They know how to gut a fish, kill a duck, and get water. My 8-year-old even sells eggs to our neighbors like a little entrepreneur.” Zoe laughs but is serious about the skills her kids are mastering. “This lifestyle is attainable for children. They learn the value of caring for others, instead of just chasing things.”

Zoe's approach to raising resilient, resourceful kids goes hand in hand with her commitment to a life of self-sufficiency. In a world where everything seems uncertain, she’s created a home that’s entirely in her family’s control. “Paying rent and utilities felt so unreliable. Now, I don’t worry about outages. We get our power from the sun and collect water from the roof above our heads. We built our house ourselves on land we own. I can't imagine ever paying a big company for the essentials again.”

A Gift Guide to Local & Sustainable Products

Zoe is living proof that sustainable living can be more than just a lifestyle. By embracing local products, handmade goods, and earth-friendly alternatives, we can reclaim our independence from corporate consumer culture and connect with our local community.

For those dreaming of ditching the 9-to-5 and heading off-grid, Zoe suggests starting small. “You don’t have to move to the jungle overnight. Start by making small, sustainable changes,like shopping local for eggs or buying from a nearby rancher. Not only is it better for your health, but it’s better for the animals, too.”

With this in mind, and the holidays fast approaching, we’ve put together a gift guide featuring local, handmade goods right here in Vegas:

• Locally Harvested Honey from Herbally Grounded: This local honey not only adds depth to your tea or yogurt, but replaces sugar and supports Nevada’s bee populations, which are vital to the ecosystem. Visit herballygrounded.com or stop by their store for your own jar.

  
  

• Farm Fresh Eggs: Sourced directly from my friend Jeanalin’s small local farm, these eggs are as fresh as they come. Enjoy homegrown goodness and support someone who you know treats their chickens humanely. Visit crazyfarmgirlera.com to get your own dozen.

  
  

• Natural Mineral Soaks & More: As a former massage therapist, Mike wanted to capture the rejuvenating effects of a massage with bath and body products that are free from dyes and artificial ingredients, so he decided to create Mike’s Recovery. His range of small-batch, handmade items include aromatherapy bath soaks, soaps, body oils, and scrubs crafted with sun-dried, optically cleaned Australian sea salt and high-quality, ecologically harvested essential oils. Get your own at mikesrecovery.com.

  
  

• Eco-Friendly Specialty Coffee: Our caffeine habit comes at a high cost to the environment, but it doesn’t have to. Vesta Coffee Roasters sources its beans from farmers who prioritize sustainable growing practices, making every cup an eco-conscious choice. By reducing the use of chemicals, pesticides, and deforestation practices, Vesta Coffee offers you a way to enjoy your favorite morning brew with a clear conscience. Get your own sustainable coffee at vestacoffee.com.

  
  

And for some great options outside of Vegas…

• Herbal Teas & Plant Powders: If you frequent social media, you may have come across @tealadybrooklyn and her company with the same name. Her curated selection of herbal teas and adaptogenic plant powders are designed to support hormonal balance, promote rest, and encourage overall well-being. Her blends are crafted to soothe inflammation, boost mood, and stabilize energy, so they make for an ideal gift for anyone looking to prioritize self-care through natural wellness. Find your own blend at tealadybk.com.

  
  

• At-Home Infuser: Developed by graduates from MIT and UC Berkeley, Alta Fuse is an incredible ultrasonic machine that allows you to perform professional-grade infusions at home. It combines the fastest, most efficient decarboxylation and infusion processes in one sleek, easy-to-use design, so it’s perfect for anyone who’s looking to infuse baked goods, chocolate, gummies, cooking oils, lotions—you name it. I’ve been using their machine for the past two weeks, making herb-infused oils, activated butters and magical gummies. This machine is an absolute game changer, as most lab-grade ultrasonic machines are in the $10,000 range. You can get an Alta Fuse and start making in-home infusions for just $329 at altafuse.com.

  
  

• Zoe’s Very Own Homemade UV Sunscreen: Created with red raspberry and carrot seed oil (both naturally SPF-rich), non-nano zinc oxide, beeswax, and shea butter, this reef-safe sunscreen is as good for the planet as it is for your skin. Safe for babies and completely free of harmful chemicals, JungleFairyFarm’s sunscreen is also the perfect solution to Hawaii’s sunscreen laws, which aim to protect coral reefs from toxins. Her dream? For Hawaii’s airports to offer her sunscreen to tourists for free, so they can be reef-safe from the moment they step on the islands. Purchase your own at thejunglefairy.com.

  
  

What Truly Matters

In a world obsessed with convenience, Zoe’s story is a breath of fresh, tropical air. She’s proof that there’s a different way to live—a way that prioritizes freedom, community, and connection over consumerism. Whether it’s supporting local artisans, simplifying your surroundings, or exploring sustainable alternatives, Zoe’s story encourages each of us to reconnect with what truly matters: meaningful connections, a healthy planet, and a life that feels both purposeful and free.

Follow Zoe’s journey on Instagram at @junglefairyfarm.

Jaden Rae is a Las Vegas resident, best-selling author of the Microdosing Guide And Journal, and founder of American Farmacy, a modern apothecary that empowers people to take control of their own health using Earth’s original medicines. She is also a two-time best-selling cookbook author, television chef and has been featured on the Today Show, The Early Show, Martha Stewart Radio, Fox Business News and more. You can find her on Instagram at @steamykitchen and @american_farmacy.