How to Become a Beekeeper
You all know how much I love, LOVE honey! Yeah, not much of a secret there. I don’t know if I love eating it or putting it on my face more, but that’s beside the point. While others might freak at a close encounter with a …
Crunchy Home
How to Make Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Note from Betty: The following is a guest post from Emily Kil. Do you sometimes feel that your world is spinning out of control because responsibilities you shoulder are overwhelming? Join the club. It’s not exclusive. You …
Ditch the Tampons and Switch to a DivaCup (Sexy? Right!)
It all started a few months ago with the discussion in the Crunchy Community, that lovely Lula Lola titled "Tampon Talk (Sexy, right?).
Scratch that.
It all started two years ago when my sister said, "You should really …
Elderberry Syrup Recipe for Cough & Cold
I thought I'd try my hand at vlogging, and my conclusion is that I'm a much better writer than a speaker or videographer. But I spent all dang day on this, so I'm posting it anyway.
This is a recipe for elderberry syrup, …
How to Keep a Natural Litter Box and Other Cat-Related Nonsense
Did you know that you can train a cat to use a toilet? It's a real thing, and real cats who have brains can do this; they don't even need opposable thumbs or current issues of National Geographic. They are just fine with …
And Then the Fires Happen
I have to admit, I'm in a bit of a quandary.
Two days ago, I was all excited for the Three Days of Silence. I had lists and ideas, thoughts and plans.
And then the fires happened.
12 Things You Should Know About (and Do With) Your Eggs
A long time ago, in a land far, far away I had a friend who hated chickens. She loathed them. Every time we'd go out to eat, she'd say to the waitress, "Don't bring me anything with chicken. Chickens are disgusting, vile …
The Roofarm and Recipes for Not-Just-For-Gardeners Salve
Until about five days ago, if you'd have said "have some gardener's salve," I would have been all "Pssht, what do I need gardener's salve for? For when I fall in the dirt after tripping on my shoelaces?" (Who am I kidding? I …
Stop Procrastinating and Easily Remove Candle Wax From Your Carpet
Procrastination is a little like candle wax, when you think about it.
One day, you're sitting on the couch and something you need to take care of comes to mind. You think, "I'll do it tomorrow" and the fuse on the candle …
(Semi) Thoughtless Thursday
Quick. Think fast. What does Priceline, partially digested foam rubber, a goat's beard, 8001 boxes, sore knees, and an industrial-size bottle of vinegar have in common?
They all ...
Umm ...
Me.
That is what they …
Oh, The Things You Can Make If Only You Try
The other night, as I was writing the post announcing this quick sale, I started to read the books. Really read. Before, I had only read one or two, and cyber-thumbed through the rest. But, as I immersed myself in the …
Soon …
When you have nothing to say,
you may as well keep your mouth shut.
The wind and the rain
don't go on forever.
If nature knows enough
to give it a rest sometimes,
so should you.
How to Crystal Clean Your Electronic Screens for Pennies
One of my favorite things about being "Crunchy Betty" is the way it really enhances the quality of conversation my friends and I have.
Before, our conversations would go something like this:
"Hey."
"Hey."
"Wanna go …
Homemade Flavored Toothpick Tutorial
At the end of a hearty meal, what more could you ask for than a no-calorie, delicious treat that also doubles as a crud-picker?
(I am not ashamed of my lack of finesse with words, when it comes to oral hygiene. Oral …
Natural Ingredients: Sometimes Things Just Stink
You remember how, when you were a kid, your mom would put a plate of broccoli and cauliflower and carrots in front of you and you would squinch your face really hard, purse your lips, and then guttural gagging sounds would …
9 Pretty Simple Pimple Home Remedies
A few weeks ago when I was digging around for a post to "revive" from way in the depths of Crunchy Betty, my first thought was a very, very old post titled 27 Quick and Crunchy Home Remedies for Pimples. It's a great post, …
Best Day EVER – Enter to Win A Big Natural Basket Giveaway Featuring 6 Eco-Conscious Shops
Almost six months ago, to the nose, we did one of these and it was very, very exciting. This time, it's even BIGGER and BETTER and NATURALER. (I have to let the cat out of the bag early ... in addition to products from 5 …
End the Snotty War on Humanity!
The human race has done some pretty crappy things to nature. And when we talk about things like toxic waste in the water supply, or fracking violently into the crust like rabid, monstrous groundhogs, or puncturing veins of …
The Oil Magic Trick That Hides Number Two
How many of you work with other people? Raise your hands.
How many of you live in close quarters with other people? Raise your hands.
How many of you find yourself in a public place now and then? Raise your …
Activated Charcoal for Bug Bites and Other Itchy Situations
I figure by now, many of you have picked up some activated charcoal to whiten your teeth with (which, by the way, has gotten rave reviews ... check the comments).
So, with your excess supply of the powdery black magic, I …
Dazzle! Whiten Your Teeth With Activated Charcoal
Today, I'm going to tell you to put charcoal on your teeth to whiten them.
ONLY I DON'T MEAN REAL CHARCOAL, PEOPLE.
We have to get this out of the way - at the very beginning - so that no one reads the first four lines …
Historic Beauty Days: Snippets From A Magazine Past
I've spent 40 of the last 80 hours immersed in this gosh-darned ladies' magazine from the 1800s. Fascinating, eye-opening, and sometimes a little frightening, Godey's Lady's Book belongs in the annals of history, to be …
Turn That A/C Off: Clever Ways to Keep Your Sanity When It’s Sweltering
It started a few weeks ago, when temperatures were still in the low 80's.
My bedroom window overlooks not just one air conditioner - not just mine - but four of my neighbors. And one of them, one blessed sensitive soul, …
Still, Don’t Actually EAT Your Dishwasher Detergent
This is a true story.
Or, rather, it's true insomuch as I wasn't there, and I heard it third hand, so I'm going to embellish a little on the unimportant parts. Why? Because it makes me feel important. I am the creator of …