The very first entry in Crunchy Betty’s Food On Your Face category was written on May 9, 2010. It was called “Five Good Reasons To Put Food On Your Face.”
At the time, I was fumbling around in the world of blogs. I was dipping my proverbial toes in the metaphorical pineapple juice, often for the first time right before I blogged it. Some of you were there with me then. A few of you remember the first header Crunchy Betty ever had.
I can’t believe you’re still with me …
(Yes, that is it. It was a photo I took of a woman’s mannequin head from an antique store in Kansas City. It was weird. I was weird. I am weird. Time to come clean about it.)
I’ve changed a lot in the last three years. My beliefs have changed. My reasons for doing things have changed.
This hasn’t always been easy for me, and I know it hasn’t ever been easy for those of you who read the blog. But you’re still here (or you’re here for the first time, and that’s awesome, too).
On August 1, 2010, I asked all 20 of my readers what they thought a Crunchy Betty was.
After I share with you some of my thoughts on what Crunchy Betty is now, where it’s been and where it’s going, I’m going to ask you similar questions. Your answers – your answers will become PART of what I share tomorrow in Boston.
In the original post, in which we talked about the defining aspects of being a “Crunchy Betty,” I said this:
Here are my thoughts – my original and evolving ones – on what constitutes a Crunchy Betty. I know, I know. It was my concept to begin with, but you people amaze me every day, and your input means as much to me as my own flitting ideas.
This has remained true throughout this whole 3-year journey. I am not what makes Crunchy Betty “Crunchy Betty” – you are. The way you experiment bravely. The way you charge ahead with embracing what’s natural and true, over what’s manufactured and synthetic – even in the face of potential questioning looks (or groans from your husbands). The way you take ideas – not just from me but from a thousand different sources – and run with them and find what works for you.
In truth, without any of your willingness and wonder, I’d just be some crazy lady sitting around with her face in a bowl full of fruit.
So, please, share at the end of this post. I’ll give you a specific question or two, but please feel free to say whatever it is that’s on your mind. Your input counts (more than mine does).
Where Crunchy Betty Was
As children, everything is an experiment. The way we walk and talk, how we learn to relate to other kids … even the act of smashing pebbles with a hammer becomes a brave and mighty treasure hunt.
When I was 5, I would mix together different shampoos and conditioners, singing and splashing, imagining I was creating a hair dye and suddenly I’d be blonde, or permed, or bald. I was convinced that the right combination of Suave and V05 would produce shocking results. It never did.
Then, at the age of 6, I told my mother I was going to start baking bread. And that’s what I did. Several loaves, all by myself, for no rhyme or reason. There’s a simple power in shaping a loaf, bringing it to life with your own bare hands. And my little fingers felt that power.
Of course, as we age, we lose that sense of wonderment of our own personal power – we forget the magic in experimenting with what we can do for ourselves. Jobs and bills and television and life get in the way. Experimenting becomes luxury, and then it becomes occasional whimsy, and then it just seems like a waste of time – especially when you can just run down to the store and buy whatever you need before the commercials are over.
When I started Crunchy Betty, it was with that whimsy – that magic of experimentation – in mind. When I began Crunchy Betty, it wasn’t about anything other than chatting about life and trying natural recipes and remedies.
Eventually, as more people hopped on board, I realized that this “crunchiness” wasn’t just whimsy – it could be a way of life. Most nights were spent falling asleep on a pile of books, while researching and reading about herbalism, aromatherapy, historical remedies, and conscious living. Most days were spent mixing together concoctions and smearing them everywhere – or eating them occasionally.
Many of us went no ‘poo, and tried the oil cleansing method. Or we challenged ourselves to smear honey on our faces and loved every second of it. Some of you fell in love with the Mocha Frappuccino Facial Mask, while others preferred fresh fruit facials or hot oil hair treatments. I wrote a book based on everything I’d tried and found success in when it comes to acne and breakouts. We cleaned our houses using ingredients from our cabinets and learned a few tricks with essential oils.
There were undeniable successes, and occasional failures. We laughed a lot, and then we cried. And then we kind of rolled our eyes. And then we laughed again.
Those were the good old days.
But I got off track, personally. What began as fun turned into a crusade in my head (even though I may not have always expressed it). I imagined we had enemies – like corporations and governments and naysayers.
I took a huge bite of the poison apple – the rancid fruit called fear. I began thinking traumatic thoughts about how, if everyone didn’t change, things like global warming or pollution or cancer would kill us all. This was an important lesson: Because once you start going down the track of fear, you run yourself off the rails of peace.
What started as fun had turned into an agenda, a dogmatic belief system, a reason to create separation and enemies.
Those thoughts? That’s where my personal hypocrisy lived. Everywhere I turned, I couldn’t get away from the opposites, the kinks, the imperfections in everything we were doing. I’d read the occasional comments or emails complaining that something wasn’t working (even the single complaint, in a sea of successes, would send me into the depths of feeling like a failure). Everything came with a price, even though I was killing myself to find the sweet spots where we’d be free and clear and the world would be roses and kittens forever and ever.
I forgot we lived in a world of imperfection. A world of duality. A world where everything comes with the same price you put on it. If you’re rigid and unforgiving, the price will always be astronomical. I forgot that nothing is perfect – not modern medicine or herbal medicine, not natural beauty products or synthetic beauty products … not life. And because nothing is perfect, it’s all pretty gosh-darned amazing.
And then I came full circle.
What Crunchy Betty Is Now
From this day forward, I want to steer Crunchy Betty back on the course which it was originally designed to take. Now, though, I understand why I wanted it to be what I wanted it to be. I feel the tingle of the original loooove.
Burn this thought into your memory, because this is my truest, deepest intention.
Crunchy Betty is about experiencing the wonder that comes with personal discovery. The power you feel when you create what you need with your own two hands. It’s about journeying back to the intricate simplicity of nature (our nature and nature’s nature), as to become more grounded in our daily lives and more attuned to the amazing gifts that are around us at all times. The magic in herbs, in oils, in fruits and veggies, in the air and water, and even occasionally in things that others might consider “bad.”
It’s about sharing and learning – together. We support and nourish each other, because we know that by doing so, we support and nourish ourselves. And we learn – always, we learn, and I learn along with the rest of you at all times.
(And occasionally, it’s just about me. Because, let’s face it, I’m hilarious.)
It’s about having fun. Having a blast experimenting with nature. And if you’re not having fun when you’re experimenting, why do it at all?
You’ll notice it’s not about fear. It’s not about changing the world, or saving the world, or taking down the evil corporations, or warning others about poisons and cancer and wrinkles and angry birds. Those things (probably not the angry birds part, but who knows) will change themselves as we all become more grounded, full of awareness of the beauty around us, and recognize the peace we already have available within ourselves.
Those things – I promise – will take care of themselves without us adding fuel to the fire.
And these are a lot of words, so let me tell you where I envision our journey going, in concrete terms, in the future:
- There will be more and new homemade beauty, household cleaning, and home remedy recipes (as well as learning more about herbs and foods and essential oils). You will have fun. Or you will not. (You will have fun. The end.)
- There will be occasional posts where we talk about our own special brand of personal growth, the things we learn in taking personal responsibility, and how the world changes as we change the way we look at it
- How do you feel about the Crunchy Betty videos? (I’m prepared to do more, but only iff’n you want them.)
- We’ll start talking a little more often about products and things you might want to buy if you don’t feel like making them
- I will ask you many more questions and your feedback will forever be encouraged, so you will talk – to me and to each other (hey – this ain’t no free ride)
- Sometimes I will tell you stories, and you will laugh
- There will be another book (or perhaps four or five more books)
- You will be patient with me, as you always are, because I’m totally going to screw up sometimes (this I can promise you)
The truth is, as Crunchy Betty has grown into a readership of nearly 35,000 people, I’ve freaked out a bit. When you start realizing that you’re talking to a group that’s nearly 9 times the population of the town you grew up in, it starts to scare the holy living dingleberries out of you. So I’m going to stop thinking in terms of numbers, and start remembering that I’m talking to friends.
Because, in the end, that’s all I’ve ever wanted Crunchy Betty to be.
A whole bunch of friends, sitting around sipping wine and laughing about the food on our faces.
Now It’s Your Turn to Talk – Let Me Have It
It’s amazing how, when I sat down to write this whole post, it wasn’t going to be directed at you – the reader, the friend. It was just going to be a general story.
This, to me, speaks enormously of how important your participation and input is here (and if you actually read this far, I swear on everything that’s holy I have a gold star to send to you).
When I share the general gist of this post tomorrow, the most important part is going to be what you have to say here. So, please, don’t hold back.
- What one (or two) things about going “crunchy” (or natural) has changed your life for the better? (This doesn’t have to have anything to do with Crunchy Betty, btw.)
- What have you learned on Crunchy Betty that you’ll never forget?
And bonus question: What’s your favorite thing about Crunchy Betty? (This is really only for me. I want to know what you love, so I can do more of it.)
Thank you, my crunchistas (and cruncheros). You …
That’s all.
Just you.
(Semi) Thoughtless Thursday
You are amazing! I have opened my company through your inspirational readings! Good luck on your life discovering journey!!!
Everything is very open with a clear explanation of the issues.
It was really informative. Your website is very helpful. Thanks for sharing!
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Hi Betty, just want to let you know how much I enjoy your website. You are so cool. Love the way you think. I, too, love to try and make products that work great and are safe. I find it so refreshing to know you are the same way.
Never stop doing what you love. Sincerely, Cynthia
I tried to sign up to receive Crunchy Betty in my inbox, but when I did I got the message that the Mailing List is Not Active and to notify the owner. Thus, this email.
I just found your website today and am very excited about it.
Thanks,
Bonnie
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I went thru 6 rounds of chemo for stage 4 non-hodgkins Lymphom. That was entertaining. I also have HIV, which sucks. Came home in a wheel chair, with atrophied muscles, wearing an adult diaper and a pee bag strapped to my thigh. Sexy! Took me 1.5 months to learn to walk again. I mentally started rejecting what my oncologist told me to do as she never knew about diet, vitamins etc. Xanax and Ambien triggered a suicidal event. spent 1 night in psych ward because apparently I had called 911 and said I was going to kill myself. I don’t really recall much of that night and was surprised to wake up in a hospital. Quit ALL prescription medications cold turkey and went thru 3 days of horrible withdrawals. Thanks Doc! Another Oncologist looked at my pet scan and said I could quit the last 2 chemos. The radiologist said the same. So then I shatter my tibial plateu. 10 days in the hospital, plates and screws and back in a wheelchair. I went straight back to work and the Ortho said “You wont be able to work or drive your car for 3 months and you might have a permanent drop foot”. Yeah right! I was back at work 2 days after I got out, in a wheelchair and would spend hours yelling at my toes and ankle to move. So I really suck at being a patient, since I have a mind of my own, and “won’t be able” does not apply to me. I clawed my way out of a black hole and then I climbed a mountain. I became a vegetarian, built my business back up, made a website, networked and started Project Shine On a support group for women going through chemo. I give the women free wigs, a makeover, advice on nutrition, advice on what to watch for with doctors, supportive calls to get them thru a bad chemo or radiation day. Survivors talk to newly diagnosed and share their experience with them. Just had a very successful Breast Cancer Party. So 2012-2014 Cancer, nervous breakdown, HIV, broken leg and 4 months in a wheel chair. Became a vegan, educated myself about nutrition and fell in love with the Law of attraction.
Question is: Can i fix neuropathy in in my right leg from surgery? Can I naturally strengthen my compromised immune system? Can I naturally make my body a hostile environment for cancer cells? I think I still have remnants of the chemo stored up and can I do detox to help with that. I also have adrenal gland fatigue thanks to being such an Uber empathetic that sacrfice most of my energy for good causes and pro bono work. Why did I stop prioritizing me, my rest, stressing way to much, embarking on trying to save the whole damn world. My guess is an overwhelming sense of gratitude, with a Super woman tendency and touch of Hero complex. No natural remedies for an overactive/creative mind and insane compassion/drive who makes my body juggling many balls and pretty much exhausted. I think I may be insane.
You change my life, my mothers life & my bf’s life with your deodorant recipe, with the noo poo articles, with the 3 oil moisturizer & the cream with Shea Butter.
They are damn damn damn awesome.
What I love is your humor, that you are very chilled, is everything for fun.
What I don’t like… The hater readers… the stupid people that comes to your website to fight just because of, they just have lust to ruin the harmony & the fun of this cool blog.
Long time ago that I was very aware of my consumer behaviour, I don’t buy any brand that experiment with animals but now thanks to your blog I’m one step forward & I don’t buy anything from beauty that is not organic & I buy it as an ingredient to make my own things. I make my shampoo, my cream, my deodorant, my toothpaste, my salve, everything I can… ohh !! & the Yummy face masks.
Thnks !!
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I definitely can sympathise with the slippery slope of anxiety that goes with wishing and hoping that we could make things better in this world – can feel like the world’s on your shoulders sometimes. However, having people like the Crunchy Betty(ies) of the world to laugh with (at?!!) makes it just that much easier to keep on trying 🙂
What one (or two) things about going “crunchy” (or natural) has changed your life for the better? It’s reminded me of what’s important and helped me remember to stop and see the wonders around me every day. Ok maybe it’s really my dog stopping to sniff every nasty thing buried over the winter that’s causing me to pause, but it works out the same in the end.
What have you learned on Crunchy Betty that you’ll never forget? That it`s ok to walk around with food smeared on my face because it’s “skincare” 🙂
What’s your favorite thing about Crunchy Betty? You make me laugh – a lot.
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It’s wonderful to find community…like minded people gathered together by a granola guru….
Hi Crunchy Betty! After stumbling across your site a mere few weeks ago, I have turned my kitchen into my work space. I have created hand salve. I have created dishwasher detergent. I have made sugar scrubs and facial oil moisturizers and aromatherapy bath salts. Any I have only just begun. Finding your site has reminded me that I need to endeavor on my own to make PERSONAL care products. My crunchy journey started about 8 years ago and it has been slow going. The transition away from processed foods. The transition away from commercial care products. The transition away from traditional home cleansers. The leaving behind of toxic chemicals, the search for natural, wholesome, and nourishing. I am healthier. I am leaner. I am mentally sharper since my transition to a crunchy lifestyle. Crunchy Betty has taught me that I CAN make my own products and that they are even better than anything I can buy in a store. It has reminded me of my own internal power and my passion for creating. I am almost acne-free for the first time in my adult life thanks to the 3 ingredient facial moisturizer and the thyme-infused witch hazel. Keep it crunchy, Betty, you are inspiring lives for the better! Next I will be trying out soap nuts for the very first time!
I stumbled across your blog yesterday and I am ready to go no poo and I already made my own deodorant! You are talking about all of the things I have wondered about. My family is vegan and I have been eating 90% raw but you address the things I can make naturally that I have been running to the store for! I love that you have a personal account for each thing you share it is really encouraging! I have been learning a lot about myself spiritually as well as physically and that has given me an unprecedented sense of peace! I am wondering if you do yoga or meditate and if you would be willing to comment things in that arena?
Came across hour blog. Have not read much, but I can tell you seem like my kind of gal. I am 73 and still learning. I now make my own liquid washing detergent and am ready to learn more from you.
Thank you for sharing your humanity with us. We all go through these changes, cycles, or however you want to word it. The important thing is to learn and return to center. I’ve tried to change it all at once and accomplished nothing, so using ideas, recipes, and guides like yours can keep me on point to focus on the biggest good, changing what goes in and on the bodies of myself and my family. Maybe that’s not taking down Monsanto, maybe it doesn’t change the WHOLE world, but it changes MY world and I needed it!
CrunchyBetty led to so many personal discoveries that culminated into one really important understanding: I am just fine. Before this website, my skin was covered in acne or dry, and my hair was unreasonably oily; I seemed to be going bald. I tried so many different products with limited success. I wanted to live by the restriction of only purchasing beauty products that were vegan and organic, with even less success and more pain in the pocketbook.
Through all the years of trying, and failing, to look and feel better, I believed I was the problem. My skin was wrong, my hair was wrong. All of this stuff worked for other people, so clearly my body was beyond help. I was destined to be ugly and disgusting and uncomfortable.
A year and a half ago I saw a link to this site on Pinterest; I don’t even remember what it was for. I followed the rabbit and dug into the extensive community you founded here. Your voice was so normal; you talked about my skin and my hair without shame or disgust. You brought humor to the problems I had deemed beyond hope. You told me I was okay, that trying a little of this or that may be helpful, and empowered me with the tools to experiment until I found the formulas that worked for me.
The first month of going no ‘poo was a little rough– I thought my hair was greasy before!– but it began an amazing thought: this isn’t so bad. I’m not so bad. So what if my hair looks gross for a few days? What does that have to do with who I am? I’m still me, and I’m trying to be kind to the body I wear. It isn’t a catastrophe not to look my best all the time, especially when the not-so-hot time is a product of the pursuit to doing something real and better for myself.
My friends still give me funny faces when I tell them about the newest, most awesome thing I just rubbed on my face (heavy cream and honey, oh!), but it doesn’t matter. I am just fine. My body is physically more comfortable. The pressure to look like something else has lifted. The shame of not looking like something else is gone. I’m doing okay, and you opened that door for me. Thank you, CrunchyBetty.
I’m a new reader, and love every aspect of your blog. How you share wonderful beauty recipes, and make it so fun with your humorous writing skills. I used to use proactive which dried out my face, occasionally causing gross blotchy chemical reactions while the skin was flaking off. Now that I put food on my face, that has changed. The honey method works wonders. My skin looks great and I have a sense of self confidence I’ve never had before. Thank you, Crunchy Betty.
I have followed your blog for a while and love your free-spirited way of sharing.
In terms of fear, I have only one thing to say: Stop standing in your own way!
All of these folk support and uphold you — believe it is true! Shine!!
I was looking for make-it-yourself dry shampoo recipes a couple of months ago when I stumbled on crunchybetty.com…and I when I emerged from Teh Interwebs three days later, my life was changed for good! I stashed all my commercial beauty products in a closet in case my Grand Experiment didn’t work out, and the rest is history. No ‘poo for two months, I’ve converted my fiancee to the OCM, I’ve learned to make soap and laundry detergent, and I regularly put new foods on my face…So much fun! A couple of weeks ago I gave away the big bag of beauty products I “couldn’t live without”, and when I ran out of toothpaste yesterday, I ran to my kitchen and whipped up a tooth powder. Thanks, Crunchy Betty and Crunchy Community! These folks are right, there is a powerful freedom in knowing that you can make just about anything you need, and have fun doing it.
I was an avid Crunchy Betty disciple and followed you faithfully until your hiatus, mostly via my email subscription, and then I waited faithfully for that prompt to arrive and tell me you were back… but it never came. And so I sadly stopped cruising the internet in the evenings (this also has something to do with the fact that I have a toddler and am often snoring a half hour after he goes to bed, so really not your fault). Imagine my surprise this evening when I decided to come and read over some of your old posts to find that you were BACK! I`m SO excited!
Crunchy Betty kindles that little fire under my butt which actually gets me off the couch and I couldn`t be happier that you are writing again. You are an absolute inspiration in your musings, your experiments, your writing and your passion. Love, love, love to you.
Crunchy Betty was what I found when I first fell in love with creating. When at 18 I was already tired of coating my body with chemical junk. Within a week I had smeared honey on my face and oil on my hair and a thin layer of baking soda covered the whole bathroom. And it. was. FUN. Crunchy Betty is what gave me the inspiration to start my own blog. To share my own creation. To have my own voice in the blogging world. Right now it’s only a tiny whisper, and if that’s all it ever is I’m perfectly okay with that because I am having FUN and I’m able to share it with the occasional passerby that stumbles across my site.
Crunchy Betty is a hilarious but inspiring take at a better way of life.
Hi there! I discovered your blog only a couple weeks before your hiatus and I am so glad you are back! I’m a start and stop beginner on the path to natural products and have really enjoyed all the things you’ve explore on your blog. And I truly enjoy your sense of humor and writing style. Thanks for sharing so much information with us! Keep having fun! Blessings, Laura
I think I am the #85th commenteer here, so I would hate to be repetitive, but I want to show my support right this second. I also don’t know how to shorten thoughts for writing, so prepare for a paragraph(you should see my texts!), apologies in advance…
So I have been reading your blog for over a year now, and it has changed my life. period. Granted, my life is so uneventful that a seagull pooping in china might possibly induce “change” for me, but understand that in my little world your site has been a huge part of my personal growth this year, therefore effecting my entire life. It could be compared to a dinosaur directly pooping on my head. Sorry, I like analogies too much. What I’m saying is this: I’ve had tough travels these last few years, and stumbling upon your page was the kickstart to a new era. I get excited to read your blogs because it feels like I’m reading something out of my own head, but alot more organized…. I don’t think of Crunchy Betty as a website to read, I think of it as a woman and friend whom I visit for an interesting chat, enlightenment, like-mindedness, and a “chuckle out loud” without fail every time.
Regarding the most helpful way I’ve applied the crunchiness, it would have to be the energizing inspiration it gave me to keep searching for wellness despite circumstance, and finding methods to make me feel pretty again. Ive been struggling with adult breakouts and scarring for years, on top of other hormone related issues. (a long road, many methods later… for another discussion) it all really brought me down. But I dare say this week marks the first time in years my skin has been clear and almost completely healed!! A way I measure this is by the fact that I finally feel semi comfortable letting my boyfriend see my freshly washed face without the usual paint job covering the marks. That excites me like you wouldn’t believe(I hope that doesn’t sound lame)! Between you and the others who share their experiences in these pages, I feel like I have a silent support group, who I’ve learned SO much from! I have changed drastically since I was old enough to have an opinion about anything, daily becoming more conscious and educated about wellness, and I love every ounce of it. I can’t get enough of…. of what? knowledge? More of less? I’m losing my old self, the one given and taught to me by society, I’m simplifying and naturalizing, yet it feels like I’m gaining the whole planet. Thank you, Crunchy Betty, for being here to inadvertently help me and 35000 others find what they’re looking for and be a part of our lives. I’m glad you stopped the worry and fear. No negative pressure! Got it? I’ve noticed you do a great job at being awesome without consciously trying anyways!! We’re just glad you share! =)
I found you in a roundabout way, via a couple of other blogs about DIY home cleaning and health stuff. It’s ironic. In my 20s, I worked for a naturalist and could recite what herbs/homeopathy/EOs/etc could be used for almost any ailment (comes with the territory of helping customers lol). But along came life and a lot of things changed. A few yrs ago, I left my old life behind and started a new one – completely terrified at first. It didn’t take long for me to realize that my fear was based on what a lot of other people had been saying to me for yrs instead of what I really knew inside. That was my first taste of empowerment after many yrs of the exact opposite. After having been told that I could never have children, I met a wonderful man and got pregnant. That was really the next step for me in feeling more empowered. It showed me yet again that the things I had been told were not prophecies. The next step I took was exclusive breastfeeding, then cloth diapering. And now I have discovered that I can make useful things that WORK (well, most of them) and I know what I’m using to make my house a home. As a person who has always struggled with sensitive skin, Crunchy Betty has helped me find ways to make my beauty routine more fun and natural to boot. I have already shared many of my creations with family and friends, and plan to continue doing so. I love my life now, and you are a part of it. (like it or not – lol) Thank you for what you do and for sharing your WHY. You are truly helping to empower people as they struggle to find a foothold in the empowerment process. Keep it up and know that we are not simply blindly following you (which would be scary), but we are cheering you on and standing nearby with a friendly hand should you ever need it. Thank you.
I just wanted to say that you pushed me over the ledge when I was thinking about the oil cleansing method but I’m so glad I did because it works so well for my skin! Also, the one time I did have the wrong proportion of oils and got a zit that wouldn’t budge for like 3 days, I used the clay and thyme recipe and it shrank right down! These are just 2 of the many things I have learned and benefited from being crunchy. Thank you!
Oh and I can’t believe I forgot this, but when I was trying to switch over from harsh facial cleansers, I used honey based on your article. I remember the idea being so strange to me at the time! Eventually when my skin adjusted and then even honey seemed like it was making my skin a little taut and dry, I took the leap to OCM. Now I do OCM in the shower and just rinse my face with water in the morning, put on my sunblock and go. I love my skin again!
I ran into your blog when I was just about to spend a ridiculous amount of money on yet another facial cleansing system due to a sudden struggle at 35 yrs old with severe adult acne. I figured there had to be another way and followed Pinterest to Crunchy Betty. I started with the “If you change on thing…” post and tried exfoiliating with baking soda, with spectacular results. Next the post on OCM which I was too scared to try, but the Honey Challenge sounded like something I could do, after a week my skin was the best it had been in years. After two weeks I was ready to try OCM and the best thing about going natural is that I feel like I’m not fighting with my face anymore. I can go out without make up, I was in a photo recently with smooth, blemish free, glowing skin, amazing and for a fraction of the price. I’ve learned tea tree oil and my skin are not destined to be friends but that tea tree oil has other fantastic crunchy uses (bug repellent, curing ingrown hairs). I have also run into the natural vs. other conflict and for a time was crazily mad about how everybody is being poisoned by “safe” products. I have learned in life that you can only light your corner of the world, and do my best to lead by example in my uses of natural products instead of crusading. My favorite thing about your blog is your humor. Keep it up!
I’ll keep this short (and sweet!) – I turned to Crunchy Betty because I wasn’t finding products in the stores that I could use that were not tested on animals. And discovered all these wonderful natural products I could make myself and share with others. I know that crushing feeling knowing that you can’t change the world, I have had to come up with my own ways of dealing with it (essentially the same as you; come full circle,
re-balance, move forward, and don’t give up!).
But what I get out of the Crunchy Betty experience is being linked into
a wonderful group of people who are like-minded, and the cherry on top? I think you are really funny! I come to your blog now when I need a smile
(and a new natural recipe to try!).
Thank you for everything that you do!
I first met Crunchy Betty last year. I have adult acne and had just moved to China, and the local facial cleansers were playing merry hell with my skin. So I searched for alternative measures for relief, and happened to stumble across this website.
At first I was perplexed. Honey and oil, on my face? But I had some honey so I tried it. It felt lovely, so I did it again and again, and when I went home for a family visit I bought some oil at the local natural foods store and tried the oil wash as well.
My skin has never looked better. It’s happy and healthy, and it never would have gotten that way if you hadn’t told me to stop torturing it with soap. Never stop discovering 🙂
The fall of 2011 I decided I would make spa gift baskets for Christmas. I made Lip Balm, sugar scrub, diffuser, vanilla extract, salve and bath salts. I had extra supplies and researched what I could make next.
I am not sure what came next but I swore I would never make my own deodorant. Ewww Yet 1.5 years later and I love your coconut oil deodorant. I tried with beeswax and shea butter but it stained my shirts. I don’t mind if it liquifies during the summer. I will add beeswax for a travel size though.
I know I started with the flaxseed gel. It made my curls so soft and lively. Mine is super curly and the gel kept my curls together. Otherwise I have a frizz mess. I was tired of the wet and crunchy look of commercial products.
The product didn’t keep as long as I needed. I now use Xanthan Gum, water and preservative.
I am a scientist at heart and if I can make it myself I will. I balance between natural and some ingredients you wouldn’t use. I researched the good and bad and chose what was best for me.
I have made the Not Your Mother’s Neosporin without infused herbs twice. My husband finally gave up the neosporin! Vapor rub and thieves oil kept me from getting the flu this year. THANK YOU!
My family once thought I was nuts but they are trying and accepting the new beauty care items I create.
I started the toothpaste last month. Another product I thought I would never replace. I can’t wait to see the dentist. I did add the glycerin and peroxide. 36+ and no cavities so I didn’t see the point skipping them. I love the feel of the glycerin on my teeth. I also added menthol crystals.
I also switched my cleaning supplies. I make laundry soap, all purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, wood polish and air/carpet freshener. I own two sets of wool dryer balls and recently tried soap nuts.
Last night I started the honey wash. What a sticky mess and kinda stinky. I have two brands of raw and they are very strong scented. I am not a honey scented fan. My skin was so soft. I noticed white heads appearing. I added a dab on honey on them and lavender oil on the rest of my face. My skin was reacting nicely to my sugar scrub and suddenly the break outs came back. Our bodies change and we have to change too.
I love your humor! I love your advice. Thanks for everything. However I still don’t like the word crunchy.
I love the fearless you that tries insane stuff on her face, but I also love that you make it simple by telling me that if I don’t want to mess with all kinds of oils on my face I can just use jojoba oil…which I have been doing for the past 3 months now and my face has never been softer. I have definitely learned from Crunchy Betty that it’s ok to try and fail. I tried no poo and tried and tried and tried and I just couldn’t make it work for me, but that’s ok I found a shampoo and conditioner that’s vegan and no added crap so that works too. You make me laugh and you let us see the real you and I really appreciate that, because in a world of fakes you are brave enough to show yourself. Oh and I also switched my kitty litter to the Sweat stuff (I know that’s not what it’s called, but I can’t remember how to spell it and it’s not worth the time to look up) and I also rub the box in oil before I put the litter in and it has never been easier to clean out!
I started reading your blog (and may have used it for procrastination purposes) about three months ago, and I was intrigued. I’d always wanted to go “crunchy” but I was always so intimidated. Your blog makes this lifestyle accessible, probably because you’re open about being on a journey yourself. I feel like I can take one or two things at a time and change slowly, and your blog helped me realized that. There are two things that I discovered on your blog that have literally changed my life (and my wallet) for the better: the first is using a combination of OCM and honey wash, and using oil to moisturize. My skin has never looked better and things I’ve struggled with for years are just gone, or going. The second thing is the homemade deodorant. I was so scared to try it because I have a serious sweat problem and nothing worked, but this homemade stuff is magical. That and I’m saving loads on expensive, strong deodorant, because the one little batch I made has lasted for 1.5 months already and I still have lots left. As for my favorite thing about Crunchy Betty, it’s what I mentioned above – you make all of this real and tangible and accessible, and it doesn’t feel overwhelming anymore. I feel like I might one day be able to be all or mostly Crunchy because you made me realize I can change one thing at a time. So, seriously, thank you.
Wow! Three years! So, apparently, I started reading your blog somewhere in the first year, but then I had my first child. For the past two crazy years or so I’ve been an occasional visitor and a rare commenter (usually late at night, exhausted, and squeezing in a little personal time before I collapse), but I love Crunchy Betty! I think the biggest improvement for me in being “a little crunchy” has been the sense of freedom. When I’m making my own products I am not overwhelmed by choice, enticed by packaging, or conflicted over price points. I truly love that I can make a ton of different, useful things from a handful of ingredients that I stock in my pantry. I call it “home alchemy”, and my hubby has been wonderful about it. He’s not a “crunchy” guy per se, but he appreciates simplicity, and that’s what being crunchy has brought us. He did raise an eyebrow when I made my own deodorant, but he didn’t poo-poo it. We live a long way from “civilization” (1.5 hours to the grocery store), so it’s great not having to worry about running out of individual things. If I stock all the basics, I can make lots of things that we need. Freedom! Freedom from worry. Freedom from the overwhelming choices on the store shelves. Freedom from ickiness. I love that. It’s tough for me to say what I’ve learned here that I’ll never forget. I guess maybe it’s the same thing that is also my favorite: it’s okay to just experiment. I originally came here looking for recipes to help me test the waters of natural goodness. I was so worried about making something “wrong”. As I read through your posts, I realized that you had done a lot of experimentation and that even if something wasn’t perfect it was still okay, and the next batch might be better. I realized that when using natural ingredients it’s pretty unlikely that something is going to blow up, produce deadly gasses, or melt my face. I am so happy that you have shared the times when things didn’t go perfectly. It has inspired me to create on my own without fear. I do also love your humor. Your writing “voice” is right up my alley. I have had a similar journey in my exploration of crunchiness. Initially I felt a little trepidation, then I scoured the universe for information so that I wouldn’t consume or contribute to the consumption of anything “wrong”, then I began to feel that everything and everyone was just hopeless. Then I got over it. I’ve given myself permission not to be completely crunchy, and I’m okay with it. I still buy shampoo (you should have seen the disaster that was my no-poo foray – my hair was like play-doh), but I figure that I’m worlds away from where I started. I can always move forward from here. Overall, I am so glad that I found this new/old way of thinking and I’m excited about where we’ll go from here. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for Crunchy Betty!
Ya know, I think you’re the cat’s PJs 😉 And yes, I want more videos, are you kidding me?! The best thing I have learned on your site has definitely been the OCM and I do mine with a calendula infusion. I looove it and so do my goat’s udders – yep, it works on them too 🙂 Everyone needs a little moisturizing love, don’t ya think?
I completely identify with what you said about the empowerment that a person feels when they realize they can do it for themselves, whatever that “it” is. In my classes, that is probably the most repeated comment. And I love that – showing folks that they had the power within them all the time. You show us the way, girl!
I love love love this whole post. Say no to fear!
I have been using your blog for recipes and I appreciate the giggle I get out of it as well.
I’m glad you’re back. My favorite thing about your blog is that you write in your own personal quirky voice. It feels honest and it makes it easy to read.
My other favorite part is simply the recipes. Often times you’ve done the work for me or inspired me to look for myself.
Yeah for the authenticity! Thank you Crunchy Betty for coming full circle into a genuine truth 🙂
Oh Crunchy Betty, I have missed you. Your readership is an amazing number and I say, “Good for you.” And I also love that you DO write like you’re talking to your friends. I have found so many good ideas and how-tos here. And I really, really appreciate that you, too, have screw ups b/c wow, I know that I do!! That flax seed hair gel did NOT come out right for me the first time. But I will try it, again, when I have a bit more time to pay attention to all the steps. But even though it was a little runny, it smelled good and still seemed to help my fly-away hair. And when I went on to make the “Soothing deodorant,” my three year old thought we were making more hair gel and was she excited to smell my stink-free pits!
You do a super job here and I look forward to where we’re going, next.
Hi Crunchy Betty and all that make life so crunchy!
Wonderful post! I’ve missed you over the past few months- but it seems my patient waiting has been rewarded. I agree that it is very easy to get off track (I seem to do it on a daily basis, but I’m a little nuts anyway), but I think that is my favorite part about Crunchy Betty – when I find myself going a little nuts I do something for myself crunchy style. It gives me time to myself, time to sit and time to get my head back on track with the added bonus of trying to wash banana out of my hair or enjoy a soothing honey-wine face mask. I prefer the latter, banana seems to take about an hour to remove. 😀
I think for me my biggest crunchy life change was no-poo, even if I am still having some major kinks with it. I found Crunchy Betty just this last year when after a really bad, hot and smokey summer, my hair started coming out in clumps. Every day I showered my drain would get so clogged I would have to clean it out again. I was grossed out, and wanting to find cheaper and healthier alternatives to chemical hair-growth/repair boosters I found out about the wonderful benefits of rosemary and tea tree, Even though I still have strange hair days my hair has seemed to have improved, it is finally back to bra length (it hasn’t been this long in two years) and my drain is much cleaner.
I really love discovering new things to try even when they don’t work well (like banana hair) – I always seem to get some great pictures and a good laugh with my friend who tries crunchy stuff with me. And of course, I love finding something that does work really well, like soaking my feet in garlic water when I have a cold. Thank you Crunchy Betty and contributors for a wonderful crunchy journey.
I found you through the felted dryer balls entry. Simply great, detailed info to follow step by step. But, then I discovered your funny personality that all of your blog is filled with. So, now you sit on my favorites bar, right next to NPR, CNN, PBS and NETFLIX. Are you amazed? I am amazed. I don’t usually go in for individual blogs; I am not a faithful follower of anyone or anything. But, your blog is pretty expansive, covering quite a lot of interesting and important topics . . . . mainly creativity and ingenuity in all areas of life. Plus, darn it, the news is always so depressing, and I need something to lighten my day, and remind me to not get so damned serious about everything. So, thank you for what you do; I hope you won’t stop.
Wendy
I am a massage therapist who practices aromatherapy for my clients. My journey started when I realized that the stuff I put on my skin absorbs just like food does in my body. I started cleansing my body “curvy temple” with food and then I really started realizing through your book and other sources that I can do this on my own instead of buying products. (but I was wrong) I can’t do it by myself because I realize that it’s MUCH more fun to do with friends. 🙂 I live on a small beach side compound in Saudi Arabia. My friends trade Kombucha tips, kale chip recipes, dehydrators, and sour dough cultures. We spend time in our kitchens making facial scrubs, body butters and whispering about the best oils to use for hemorrhoids. 🙂 We do yoga in a class, barefoot on the beach or on a paddle board. It’s all about community and not about fear or judgment. I started feeling the same way about fear, making people change and running my business. Then I had to let that go… I am glad to see that other people are finding that building community is what will save the world. Really it all starts with each of us in our own communities. The thing I LOVE the most about this site is your amazing sense of humor. It’s a little like mine but MUCH better. Cheers!
Forgot to say….Reading this blog post helped me to realize that I shouldn’t be afraid to blog. Reading about why we should go natural has scared me, made me cry, I wanted to burn my house down. (not really) And the fear of rejection. Yikes! Thanks for being your nutty self.
Doing things natural has made me feel better about what goes on my families skin and in their bodies. Little by little I change.
I came across your blog not long ago and fell for Crunchy Betty. She is the friend that doesn’t think I’m weird, because she is just like me. I like the way you simplify some recipes. Just from sharing with friends about things I’ve learned over the years about natural living, a friend has encouraged me to consider my own blog. I don’t know, but if I do, you have been one of my inspirations. Thanks!
You have definitely changed my life. Yes, seriously. 🙂
For the past 18 months I have been no-poo, using honey e-v-e-r-y-d-a-y to wash my face, making my own lip balms and deodorant, experimenting with oils. All of these, thanks to you. And it does not stop here, my family also loves it, even my husband became slowly addicted to the honey face wash! You are an inspiration. Thank you. 🙂
I forgot another one: kefir grains! I still make kefir twice a week, and we drink it everyday.
I think the most powerful thing I’ve learned since I started making my own “stuff” (mostly from recipes I found here on CB, so thanks bunches) is that YOU DON’T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Sometimes, you DON’T. You get water with a bunch of preservatives, instead of something nourishing you made with your own two hands. Also, that if you keep a small area well-stocked with basics, you can make practically anything you need at a moment’s notice. I could write a novel here, but I won’t. My absolute favorite thing about CB is your willingness to experiment for everyone’s benefit. I wouldn’t have ever put honey or oil on my face if you hadn’t done it first. So glad you have a pioneering nature! I love your blog (LOVE, I tell you!) and it sounds like you’ve learned quite a lot about yourself lately! Thanks for just being….you.
Hi Crunchy Betty,
Crunchiness has always been a part of my life. As a young teen I mashed bananas and honey and put it in my hair. I had to spend 30 minutes and a bottle of conditioner trying to comb that out. I have avoided bananas in my hair ever since. It never really put me off of trying out natural beauty remedies.
I love Chocolate. I mean, really. I also love wine. Years back you posted about a chocolate facial and a red wine one… I mixed the two together and added extra virgin olive oil because my skin is dryer than a horny toad who has been basking in the sun on a rock in the desert. The mask felt great, it was a great diversion from being lonely on an Icelandic horse farm in Denmark where I didn’t really speak the language well enough to get companionship out of the people around me (aside of my then boyfriend and now husband). One of my best friends was doing Peace Corps in Kazakhstan, and she was also a bit lonely. After trying the chocolate-wine- olive oil mix and being really embarrassed about the way my face looked like while wearing this rich brown concoction, I decided it was too hilarious to keep to myself. So I called my friend on video chat and painted my face in front of her. We laughed and laughed. She told me about this amazing Kazakh food–chocolate butter! And then my future mother-in-law knocked on the door, I thought it was my honey coming home so I popped out to surprise him with a muddy wine smelling face… No. All the while my friend’s laughter was filling the house as I awkwardly tried to explain myself in terrible Danish. We had a good laugh, and when I washed my face it felt totally awesome. My future sister-in-law wanted to have the recipe the next day, and I think a lot of lives were improved just a bit with that hilarious chocolate mask.
Crunchiness has made my face softer and a little less peely, and its been very amusing the whole time. From my impulse to rub the leftover avocado on the skin all over my face, to the times where my husband hands me gross things for my face, like salmon skin, with a s***-eating-grin, its fun. Its good, occasionally dirty, fun that only makes me feel better in my own skin.
I’m soooo glad you’re back! I have missed you 🙂 I have learned so much from you. The one thing that I can pinpoint that made a change was actually for my teenage daughter. After many months, I finally talked her into “Honey on her face” and her complexion has made a drastic improvement 🙂 Although she thought I was crazy for even suggesting it, now I don’t even have to remind her or ask her about it…. I can visibly tell that she is keeping it up 🙂
I want to thank you for freeing me from the beauty aisle! Thank you for showing me how I don’t have to dependent on Wal-mart or any other mass merchandiser. I love making things myself now and don’t plan on ever going back !!!! Thank you Crunchy Betty 😀
I’m fascinated with your transformation because I too, have gone through a similar transformation. The reason I was so attracted to natural living, (and my shaped political beliefs) originally was the people I met who lived more naturally seemed almost intrinsically more at peace. They seemed to judge others less, they seemed to have little fear, and they seemed to be so warm, loving and caring and I wanted to be more like them. By emulating them, spending time with them I truly became more like them and I really liked who I was. I was at peace, living life in love, peace and without fear. Then, suddenly I started to notice that I had deep hatred for Monsanto, I looked at others grocery carts with judgement ( thinking they are destroying the earth and themselves). I would pass a mall and grow angry and frustrated about all the cars and the BAG and the stuff!. One day I woke up and realized I had gone full circle and looped back around. I was filled with judgement and fear and no peace. I stopped in my tracks about a year ago and made a choice to only look at others with love, to do what I do from a place filled with love, it’s made all the difference in the world. I also found that I not only love others more but myself more. I’m glad you came back to your roots, it’s a beautiful place to be.
Welcome back, Crunchy Betty! I have always been somewhat crunchy myself, having been raised by wolves and hippies. I had horrible acne as a teenager and I remember driving miles to the 7th Day Adventist natural food store in search of soap and shampoo that wouldn’t break me out. I have been experimenting with what goes on my face and into my hair for many years. The greatest thing about finding your blog was that it was like finding a kitchen-witchy grimoire written just for me, and a soul sister to tell me how to use it. I always have an urge to copy down your recipes into an old, leather bound, parchment filled book and fill it with drawings and pressed herbs…I have been so grateful since I found your blog that someone is taking the time to gather this wisdom, put it in one place, and then inviting the rest of us to come out and play. Thank you.
What do I love? Your writing style. Your sense of humor (you are actually hilarious). That you don’t take things you found on the internet at face value, but you actually research them for yourself (like your piece on using borax, for example). I have a degree in biology, and so a strong science leaning, and I LOVE how you question everything, and then ultimately, say “this is what works for me. Try it. It might work for you. Make up your own mind”. I just saw this today, and it fits what I think a crunchy Betty should be to a tee.
Knowing is not enough, we must apply.
Willing is not enough, we must do
Goethe
Best thing I’ve learned from Crunchy Betty so far? Making my own deodorant (and your brilliant commentary that went with it).
Best thing I’ve gotten from going natural? CONTROL.
Just wanted to give you a shout out and say how excited I am to see where this website is going! You’ve inspired me to try so many new things, one baby step at a time. Now I even have my boyfriend on board! (Mostly, haha.)
Betty,
I have only been following Crunchy Betty since around Thanksgiving, but my life has changed in so many ways already. It started with searching how to make my own facial moisturizer. It turned into a full-on hobby of making as many body and household products as I could. Then, I got several of my friends hooked, and we share ideas, trials, and essential oils with each other. And now, it has really become a way of life. It is something that helps me live more consciously of all of my decisions while not judging others for theirs. (Your posts about cart anxiety were so important for us to read.) I also have to give a shout out to all the wonderful people in the “crunchy community.” There are so many great questions, answers, and discussions going on in there! As far as your bonus question, “What is my favorite thing about Crunchy Betty?” I love all of it. The body care, the home-keeping tips, the philosophical posts, I love the variety. But your humor and your writing style in every single post is my favorite. I really do feel like I’m sitting with a glass of wine and chatting with friends. Thank you so much, Betty! I’m so glad you’re back, and I wish you tons of continuing success!
I wanted to take the time to tell you how much your blogging has made an impact on me! I was online searching for home remedies for acne and I stumbled across you’re fantastic blog. From the ripe age of 12 I’ve struggles with acne. I’ve been on every medication from rentin-A cream to accutane. Nothing worked. So I started readin your blogs. Tried a few things and absolutely fell in love with the OCM! I was terrified to wash my already oily skin with oil. But let me tell you my skin is crystal clear and usually only once a month I get a small break out. So i want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Where others have failed you have succeeded! So thank you so much for your wealth of knowledge. I appreciate everything you do!!
I love that everyone who’s
commenting here says something that resonates with me and that I’m smiling as I
read 🙂 I never expected anything from this blog, I just found myself GLUED to
it for about two weeks after I found it. I’m not exaggerating. It’s special.
The combination of humble humour and fun experiments with frankly mostly
amazing results is unique.
Of course there’s the philosophy,
if that’s what rocks your boat, but also it’s about not having to have a philosophy.
It’s truth, it’s honesty, it’s trying things out because it makes sense.
The answers to both questions above are the same:
I’d stopped using anything on my face for maybe 8 years (I’m now 32) and when I
started to hunt down raw honey after reading about it here, I found two local
makers and have invested heavily in the local honey trade ever since! Using
honey on my face (and eating lots of it too of course) IS a complete luxury,
but it’s so empowering and “right” compared to spending £s and £s, as
I once used to (and didn’t know any differently) on the hope that something
full of chemicals made by who knows who, who knows where, would make ME feel
better about ME. I can’t wait to share it with my daughter when she’s old
enough.
I washed my hair with nothing but Bicarbonate of Soda for 4 months straight on
C.B’s advice. It was such a great feeling to be reassured me that we don’t have
to depend on those more widely advertised (!) methods of taking care of
ourselves. As many have commented, that’s something that’s also seeped into so
many other parts of my life. It’s freedom and fun. It’s running out in the rain
with nothing on your feet, it’s sitting in the sea rubbing sand on your legs,
it’s reminding us we’re part of this natural word which has a way of working
out oh so beautifully if we let it in.
I can’t wait to read more, learn more, try more, smile more. Thank you x
How going “natural” has changed my life for the better – I went no soap, no shampoo 3.5 years ago and I will never go back. My hair is better, my skin is better. About two years ago I stopped wearing make up. I’m currently in university and I’ve taken a few environmental-type classes which included researching what many compounds in personal hygiene/cosmetics can do to us. It’s just not worth it to me. I’m no stunner in the looks department, but I have good skin and a big smile and I am absolutely confident facing the world with a bare face. I use soap only on my hands and I am clean and odor-free. I use a crystal deodorant which works perfectly for me. I’ve been using your recipe for baking soda and coconut oil toothpaste for just about year now. Just had my first dental check up last week (it’s been over a year since I was last tehre) and the hygienist had hardly any scraping to do, and my mouth was perfectly healthy.
What will I never forget? The toothpaste recipe! 🙂 Love it!
Glad you’re back. I sure look forward to hearing more about your awesome discoveries!
Replying to myself…forgot to mention that I do the majority of my cleaning with baking powder (scrubbing kitchen sink, counters, stove, and bathtub) and vinegar. I have vinegar in the rinse dispenser in the dishwasher, and when I’m out of laundry detergent I’m going to try out my soap berries and use vinegar as a fabric softener instead of the dryer sheets.
It’s gonna sound trite and shallow, but going crunchy has changed my skin beyond recognition, after years and years of trying with stuff from the shops and no success. It’s had more than just a superficial effect on my life though, because I had gone years and years with the question “how does my skin look? I bet it’s terrible” at the forefront of my mind, and to have that worry lifted is amazing. It’s not uber life changing, but it’s a part of me I was never happy with sorted out, and that is not to be sniffed at!
What have I learned….? It’s taught me that if you give a crap about something (the strangehold big companies have over our lives and the damage we as a species do to the environment) it is infinitely better to do just one or two small things (vinegar for cleaning instead of shop stuff, no more stupid Loreal “becauser you’re worth it” face creams), not to beat yourself up about the changes you fail to make (no poo never worked for me) and to feel good because you’re trying. It’s that whole “drop in the ocean” thing, except now there’s 35,000 of us or however many, we’re a prett decent sized puddle now :p
This philosophy of doing anything is better than doing nothing has carried over to other parts of my life as well, and that is so awesome for a blog that at first glance is about beauty (but we know it’s realy about so much more!)
I think jus keep what you’re doing, I love it, and also keep being funny, because you are hilarious, your posts have me giggling by myself at home and in my office at work 🙂 Much love!
1) very beneficial for my two chronic skin conditions – when I’ve found what works for me 😉 I also care about what my family use (non-carcinogenic etc) and enjoy the sustainability of it for our planet (conscious living) and hope to help others with this infectious green living too.
2) how to take what I find useful and interesting of what’s ‘out there’ on CB and elsewhere and make it my own – or not 😉 I think this is very important – it helps keeping true to yourself.
3) all of CB. The extensive information, the love, the questioning, the personal experiences, the community, the recipes, plus more… And, most importantly, seeing you grow, Betty! You have bounced back into more awesomeness than ever before, your light and encouragement is very inspiring. And your proverbial wisdom has a wonderful, gentle touch to it. Keep up the fantastic work! 😀
I wanted to write, but there is so much to say. I have only found your blog recently, yet I feel a strong kinship with your passions and outlook. I have been doing the honey challenge just as if you just began it! (I do think it is an important part of the difference I have seen in my face, already!)
For me, it wasn’t so much “going crunchy”, as going back. I was the child of hippies. We did not have processed food, we used basic products. I wasn’t allowed to use hair products like gel or mouse because of the chemicals, which my parents worried would harm my youthful skin and hair. So even though I tried it all when I went off to college, the crunchiness has always been in me. My Australian grandmother’s chamomile and lemon hair setting recipe is the reason, to this day, that I don’t drink chamomile tea!
But… it gave me the feeling that you have mentioned in many posts: the internal buzz when you are experimenting, mixing and testing potions. Will it work? Will this solve my most annoying life problems? The chamomille didn’t, yet it did, because it left the seed inside of me, which this year burst forward with a loud, “Enough is enough!” I am on a quest to transition all my products over to have little or no chemicals and to “do it myself” or be supporting small businesses, vs larger corporations. It is extra fun to know that someone might be mixing the batch for me, doing something they love best!
I am looking forward to more house product recipes, I am going there next. I will be making the glass cleaner and want to replace my wood wipes with something citrusy and natural… I wish you all the good wishes I can so that you can keep your true essence while being such an inspiration to so many. You have already reminded me of the joy of trying new potions, of experimenting and laughing along the way. Thank you!
About 3 yrs ago my body decided it didn’t like a number of things and it told me all about it *loudly*. Hair dye made my hair fall out and scalp itch like the dickens. Makeup made my eyes itch and water. Lotions made my skin red and itchy. Synthetic fragrances of any kind made my eyes and nose run. So I started on my crunchy journey. Switched to henna and my hair grew back and scalp calmed down. Switched to natural food-store brands for shampoo, lotion, etc but they had unpronounceable ingredients too. I was stalled there. And stalled there. And then I found Crunchy Betty. And honey face wash and homemade deodorant and oil on my face and…. and it was the push that I needed to get me rolling again. I discovered your blog just over a year ago and my entire beauty routine got made over. My skin is not only calm, but acne-free for the first time in my life. And that’s just one way my life changed for the better. I learned that there were alternatives to store-bought, even health food-store-bought. That I could tweak a recipe until it was just right for me. That’s empowering. Thank-you for that. My favourite thing about Crunchy Betty is your sense of humour – that makes me look forward to each post, even if it isn’t about something that I need. Glad you found your joy again – and glad you’re back.
i just want to say, that when i read the bold intention for crunchy betty, i thought, “duh. that’s obviously what this is and has been!” so, i never felt that fear on this side of the screen, and i’m so happy that you’ve dealt with it and your back to tell me hilarious stories and teach me new things. 🙂
1– i love that being more natural has helped me to be more happy with myself. if i’m thinking about making something for myself, i’m thinking about how to keep the body that i love healthy and looking its best. when i’m thinking about whether or not i should buy some new product, i’m worrying about whether i have the problem that the advertisers are promising to fix. (have you seen the “if you’re not whitening, you’re yellowing” campaign?) i’m not afraid of commercial products, but i prefer the experience of making something for myself. it’s damn fun to mix up a bunch of things and put them on my face.
2– that i can put honey on my face, and it will actually end up cleaner.
3– my favorite part is you! i’ve read other blogs by people who do similar things, but they just aren’t the same. you have a quirky, captivating magic that nobody else can compete with. <3
I am new to the “crunchy” way of life with respect to my skincare. What has changed my life with going crunchy is the renewed hope that I can have healthy, clear skin at age 35 after all these years of battling problem skin. I love the “experimental” part of it and mixing new stuff just to see how it feels, smells, etc. I also enjoy how inexpensive it is (although I just keep buying more oils, etc to experiment with). But nothing compares to what I used to spend on commercial products like Proactiv or Philosophy. What I have learned most of all from reading CB blogs is that my old mode of thinking was way off with respect to skincare. I always thought I needed to scrub and dry out my skin to make it better. I used lots of layers of harsh chemicals thinking it would clear things up. Now I use honey and have started using OCM which I would have NEVER considered. Why would I put oil on top of oily skin? But now I am seeing that I may have been treating my skin the wrong way all along and actually was stripping it too much of what it needed. My spirits are higher, my confidence greater, and my outlook on personal appearance has changed quite a bit.
I can’t say welcome back because I wasn’t here when you left. I just found you today. I’ve been sitting here reading for hours…so long, in fact, I’ve forgotten exactly how I found you.
I saw that you were “about” making homemade products and that interests
me. I’ve been wanting to go “natural” for a while now. Actually, longer than a while now. I had cancer years ago and have been concerned about all the chemicals in my life and wanted to do this, but didn’t know where or how to start. I have bought “greener” products but those still have ingredients in them I would rather not have. Some are okay but better ones are just too expensive. I’m all about saving money, too, since we are retired now. I’ve read many articles and recipes but just didn’t figure out what to do (too many conflicting things, recipes and too much information in general).
I have a daughter-in-law I have influenced to using less plastic and who is
interested in my search for homemade products, though she wants me to try them
first. 🙂 I also have a goddaughter who is starting to change to a more natural
way, as well. I will certainly share your site with both of them. They are busy
women so, to save them time, I will print your recipes, put them in a binder
and present it to them (If that’s okay with you.).
I enjoy reading all the comments from your readers as they also will greatly
help in the decision making of how to go about this process. Yours and your
readers’ experiences with these natural products will help me know what works
best and save me excess experimentation. Thank you, all, for that.
I am now going to “delete” all the other sites (I bookmark too much.)
I have earmarked and stay with just you and, maybe, a couple of others for my
go-to for all things natural. That is a time saver for me…not so many
places to keep up with and read. Also, less confusion to deal with. 🙂
I have to say I thoroughly enjoy your blog (I love your humor.) and I feel,
even though I’ve only known you today, that I can trust you. I appreciate all
the research you have put into your blog and your recipes. It will be such a
time saver for all of us who want to do better for ourselves, our families
(two-legged and four-legged), and the environment. I am looking forward to
reading more from you. Thank you for all you do for us who are undertaking this
journey.
I found you when I started going no-poo (still not my favorite but I’m working with it) and I’ve grown to love you through your blog and the goodies I find in your Etsy shop. I love the personal touches you provide as well as the reciepies which give me the confidence and foundation to build my own discoveries. I’m glad you have settled into your voice and I’m excited for the directions you a planning to take your posts. I may be new to all this crunchiness but I love your little corner of the internet for all the warmth (and humor) and knowledge that you have to share 🙂
I was originally drawn to Crunchy Betty by the humor, cause she is pretty darn amusing. But I did what I never thought I’d do, be lured into the madness.
I’ve always used regular cleaners, cleansers, moisturizers and thought they were just dandy. Reading about no poo made me think “darned hippies” in the nicest possible way. Little by little, new ideas started creeping in. Coconut oil for my hair was step one, then I was off and trying it EVERYWHERE! I made all my long locked friends try it, friends with dry skin, friends with babies…well you get the idea.
That led to dabbling in homemade cleaners. Forging a firm friendship with vinegar. Essential oils is what I am just dipping my toes in now, with a flirtation starting with more whole foods.
Cruncy Betty started me down this path of exploration, and I’m very glad of it.
Darned hippies!
Thank you
What one (or two) things about going “crunchy” (or natural) has changed your life for the better? Ever since I stopped smoking 7 years ago, I’ve been on a journey. Ditching stuff that is bad for me and making my own wholesome meals and body products simply makes me happy. I’m happier.
What have you learned on Crunchy Betty that you’ll never forget? There are moments for bravery and moments for quiet–and then there are those bravely quiet moments and people will understand.
Hi Crunchy Betty, I found your site while looking for deodorant. During that experience I found that baking soda gives me HORRIBLE pit rashes. I now use the crystal and am mostly ok with it.
One crunchy item that changed my life is the lack of shampoo and conditioner I use. I wash with NaturOil shampoo now and only wash every three days. My hair is healthier and soft. I never thought it would feel so good without all those products.
The one item I have learned is baking soda is not my friend on my body but, is my friend in my house.
My favorite thing about you is your sense of humor. Don’t change. I love your site. I am glad you are back. You were missed.
I just recently found your blog and so far I’m loving it. You stand for everything I stand for and look to include in my life every day. And to now find out that you have videos!!! That’s awesome. I really need to go back to your beginning and catch up. So far you have taught me lots of cool things and given me lots of great ideas. Keep up the good work.
Crunchy Betty popped up when I was on “stumble upon” about two years ago, and I was instantly hooked. In the next few days, I read every post. I had been on a simplifying kick for years, but Crunchy Betty made the good, simple life a reality for me. I first made my own deodorant (which I still rely on daily – your recipe is perfect), then went no-poo, then used the OCM (nothing short of revolutionary for my skin). I still do it all, and clean my house naturally – all inspired by Crunchy Betty. I love my crunchy life, and can’t wait to experiment more with you! Thank you so much for everything.
first of all thank you for all you do. my favorite thing from crunchybetty is all the home remedies we can do for ourselves. its so awesome. i came here for the blackhead issues. and boy did i get more than i bargained for! i love it. i love the ocm and im currently on the no poo-day 7. its crazy. i cant wait to get home from work everyday and try different things. anywho your great and again thanks for everything girly. keep up the good work. and goodluck in all you do.
Yep, I’ve said it before (though not on here) and I’ll say it again. You feel to me like a funny, good friend. Your posts always make me laugh, are interesting and inspiring, and…..I’m glad you’re back.
Love, love, love my Crunchy Betty!!! Your humor and realness always makes me smile. I love that you don’t preach that YOUR way is the right way and that you always ‘fess up to your mistakes. I love the very personal glimpses you give us into your heart and your head. I also enjoy the variety, I never know what you will post about and that is great. Tutorials, videos, whatever you want to do, bring it all on, you rock!!!
Oh, yea. And that variety thing? One of the reasons I love that is because of how often what you post about turns out to be just what I needed–for the laugh or the.information (although it’s pretty much always both because you are indeed hilarious.)
Betty, you are a Lighthouse. 🙂 To me, “Crunchy Betty” is a natural Way of Being that is courageous, curious, and delicious. Yum!
I came upon Crunchy Betty when I was researching soap nuts. I found an article that you’d written and loved it. Based on what you’d said, I immediately ordered a 5 lb bag (that was 1.5 years ago!) and I’m still using it! I retired about the same time as finding your website, and so have had more time to try and experiment with crunchy things that you write about. The one thing that I love most about your blog is your incredible humor and honesty! It is refreshing. We all are on a journey through this life. There are ups and there are downs, but the thrill is just in being able to enjoy the ride! Good luck in Boston, have fun!
I think I found your blog through my sister. As a 51-year-old homeschooling mom of a challenging 11-year-old boy, I don’t make time for “beauty regimens,” much less MAKING beauty treatments and such. My efforts at being crunchy come in the form of growing as much of our produce as possible, making our vegetarian meals from scratch as much as possible, avoiding chemicals like -cides as much as possible. Still, I enjoy reading your blog, and still hope to someday find a natural, safe deodorant that WORKS, so I can stop using aluminum without ruining clothes.
Crunchy Betty, I love you just for being you!! You ARE hilarious, and let’s face it…brilliant, when it comes to all things whole and natural and loving and peaceful. My most favorite thing I have learned thus far is cleaning my face with oil and honey. The ACV toner, stinky though it is (and it is!!) is also like liquid gold. Never doubt yourself. You are such a gift!! Sending lots of love and supportive vibes your way…
I find if I put in fragrance oils or essential oils, that helps the vinegar smell a lot better.
I found my way here after looking for a natural deodorant. I’d read about aluminum and what it could do to your body and flipped out, tossing my Dove deo into the trash and scrubbing my pits with soap and water to get it all off. My family thought I was crazy when I started mixing things together and smearing them on my pits, using my existing knowledge of herbalism (via my grandmother) as a basis. They were shocked when my final experiment actually worked.
What has propelled my crunchy journey? I’ve always been a bit of a hippie flower child, and I’ve always been into natural remedies and experimenting with food in and on my body. Implementing these tendencies with my family is the next logical step, right? I’ve since started brushing with homemade toothpaste, washing with homemade laundry soap powder, and I started my own blog to chronicle my successes.
Your blog inspired me to take the final plunge into this beautiful world of wholesome natural goodness. I’ve learned a lot about things I never noticed about store-bought. I’ve started reading ingredient labels and teaching others to look at them too. People come to me asking where I’m getting all this from, and I point them your way. I’ve learned to learn what’s going into my body, and to pass along the good.
Plus things are just SO much more fun when you’re making everything yourself!
What one (or two) things about going “crunchy” (or natural) has changed your life for the better?- Oil Cleansing. That is all. It has completely turned my skin around. I saw a post on Pinterest about it, googled it, and ended up here. So thank you for that!
What have you learned on Crunchy Betty that you’ll never forget?- I have learned that I don’t have to spend a ton of money to clean my face. Or my house. Or my laundry. This is fantastic for me, since I’m kind of broke! Baking soda, ACV, coconut oil, and beeswax don’t cost an arm and a leg, and then I can do sooooo many things with them. My grapeseed oil for my face costs 4.50 for a pint. My old Proactiv cost 40.00 for a kit (and didn’t work!). So thank you for that!
What’s your favorite thing about Crunchy Betty?- I am a sucker for the lotion recipes. They are so much fun. I also love your documentation of the ‘failures’- like the henna post. (I read that about a week before trying henna for the first time, so it gave me some ideas on what to expect and what to avoid!) Those posts are SO funny and real and they do let you know that it’s OK if something doesn’t work. I also adore the community forum- it’s so great to be able to pick people’s brains about what works for them and why.
And lady, you ARE hilarious. And well-loved.
During the long silence, I finally took the honey challenge. IT WORKED. My skin is clearer than it’s ever been. I wash my face with raw honey daily and I tone with a strong cup of ice cold green tea. My skin loves me for it. I have crunchiness (and you) to thank for it. 🙂
Oh, and I also made my own powdered deoderant. I stay dry all day. I admit that I have yet to make my own solid/cream deoderant… I’m still using one from LUSH cosmetics that I love, also. I want to make my own eventually, though!
I missed you so much! Your posts are always so much fun to read, you are always the first thing I check. I understand how you feel, as I get that way too! Don’t listen to others and don’t be put off by them. You need to do and live for you and only you my dear. Listen to Fear by Paulie Paurettie, great song! Be well and keep on being you. Being crunchy is a way of life and a true mindset, it is not something we “do,” it is something we are. Does that make sense. I grew up that way and am raising my daughter that way. Back in the day we were called Hippy’s. LOL Keep doing what you do, you are wonderful!
My fav things I’ve found here in no particular order…no-poo, OCM, honey for skin and hair, oil for the, uh, throne and to boot I’m wearing your Kokomo Cream deodorant right now! What I’ve learned is that I can make pretty much everything I need for both my person and my home that are not only effective but also healthy for my family and the environment. Finally, we’re all special snowflakes so experimentation is key for finding what works specifically for you.
On a side note, my husband usually refers to me as a “Witch” when he finds me making what he calls my “potions”, in general he calls the lot of us Crunchers!
I arrived at this blog during the honey on your face challenge, and have read every post since. I generally enjoy your writing style, but I became hooked on the recipes when I made a lavendar wound salve for my daughters head scratch she got falling down two brick stairs. 🙁 I started using the salve the same day it happened and several people noticed how well and how quickly it healed. I threw the neosporin out and never went back- just dug father in, in fact.
I’m glad you’re back and going strong. I missed your writings and it was worth the wait. Looking forward to more recipes and antidotes.
I found Crunchy Betty searching the web for natural blackhead cures. And it was exactly what I had been searching for. People around me had been Pintrest crazed and started making their own detergent and whatnot. I never really got on that boat. However, I had been painstakingly searching for a new face moisturizer that didn’t contain a bunch of unrecognizable ingredients. And was also less than a hundred bucks. It seemed the more natural the product the more expensive. And even then there were things listed that I didn’t recognize. Now I never really have to worry about that again 🙂
What one (or two) things about going “crunchy” (or natural) has changed your life for the better?
-I will forever save so much money on facial products! As soon as I made my own nutmeg face scrub I was hooked. You mean I can just mix nutmeg and milk together and it works just as well if not better than the seven dollar scrub I buy? And I know exactly what’s in it?! Where have you been all my life? Not only that but I’ve learned that I can experiment with things. Which is so much fun. It has changed my life knowing I can make my own products for my body in such a simple way and I know exactly what’s in them.
What have you learned on Crunchy Betty that you’ll never forget?
-To put food on your face! Who would have thought the answer to my issues with unrecognizable ingredients would be right under my nose. Crunchy Betty has just given me more confidence to experiment with food on my face, hair, and body.
What’s your favorite thing about crunchy betty?
-I’m a sucker for face masks. They’re such a nice luxurious thing to do for yourself. So whenever I see a recipe for any kind of mask on this site I’m always interested. I also love when you go into detail about different essential oils and the healing qualities of other ingredients (honey, milk, different clays etc).
I MIIIISSSSSSEEEEEEDDDDD YOU! I had already changed my diet to include organic whole foods, and started eating grass fed beef. Until I found you, that was the end of it. You took my hand and walked me over to a window and showed me what could be if I would step through the next door and put one foot in front of the other. Now I wash my face with honey every morning and use the OCM every night. I am mostly no ‘poo and love to experiment with all kinds of “stuff” in my hair and face. I have embraced the journey with abandon, often running ahead and taking side jaunts. I make my own lotion with oil blends that I infuse with calendula, rose hips and chamomile. My friends BEG me for the lotion. Especially friends with eczema (I add special essential oils to theirs). Evrn my husband asks for my lotion with essential oils and tea tree oil for his arm pits when he gets a heat rash. Yes, some people think I am weird or crazy. I embrace that! I am a red head after all. Crazy/weird is kinda in my genes. 😉
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being the “wind beneath my wings”.
I would love to see more recipes for anything, and your awesome writing style to educate us on all things natural (herbal medicines and teas is the side street I am exploring right now.
If I were to choose one “crunchy” thing that has changed my life it would be letting go of make-up and commercial skin cleansers. I went almost 2 years without wearing make-up and my skin improved drastically through the use of the oil cleansing method and oat/honey scrubs. More importantly, I learned how to be confident in my own skin. I’ve started to wear a little bit of make-up again but just to highlight my natural beauty instead of try to cover everything up like I did previously. I wish I had known what I do now when I was in high school and college but as it is I will try to teach my own daughter these skin care principles and nurture her confidence. I think I look younger (and happier) at 27 than I did at 17. 😉
Welcome back Betty…you were missed. And congratulations on stepping back, taking a deep breath and enjoying all that life has to offer you…I think you grew up a bit.
I have loved everything I have ever read on CB and everything I have ever made that was inspired by CB for going on 3 years now. Thank you! Thank you for taking the time to talk to people like myself who knew I wanted something different but wasn’t sure how to do it. I faithfully wash my face with honey (I’ve developed quite the honey obsession) and I make my own deodorant. I actually make deodorant for others too. I never worry that I don’t have the exact ingredient for a mask because I have learned to experiment with what I have on hand. Not once have I had a bad result…and for that I am grateful. My whole family thinks I am crazy but they all admit my skin looks great.
So once again let me say…Welcome back Betty…you were missed.
Christine Eisenberg
San Diego, CA
Welcome back! Pardon me if I ramble a bit. I get myself off track sometimes.
I think I’ll answer these in reverse order.
What do I like best about Crunchy Betty? Well, you’re adorable (and yes, hilarious) and reading some of these blogs and posts does remind me of when I was a kid – playing with foods and plants and doing all kinds of fun stuff with them. I very much like the upbeat attitude.
And I understand the fear thing. The more you get involved and read about things that are natural – the more you find the fear mongers. I prefer balance. Some things are good for you, some are bad – whether created in nature or in a lab. You can tell me all you want about how bad it is for me, but I’m still going to eat my Turkey Hill Mint Choco Chip Ice Cream.
What I’ve learned from Crunchy Betty – to enjoy! I love the honey on your face challenge (I ADORE honey), the recipes, the “why not” attitude. If it works – huzzah! If it doesn’t, well I won’t do that again.
About going Crunchy – and a brief side story. My 6th grade science fair project was about natural products for your skin. This was in the days before the internet, so I had to dig through the library. Back then it was hard to find books on the subject. But my oatmeal face mask, beer hair conditioner, dandelion mash for removing freckles (I have lots of freckles and it used to bother me), and a few others got me a B+. Some people didn’t get what it was about – but some of the mom’s remember doing things like that when they were kids, or with their grandma’s. That was pretty cool. My interest has sometimes waned, life sometimes gets hustly and bustly. But it always comes back. I even have my own herbal skin products biz now.
I’ve always looked for that balance of using those things at hand – herbs, flowers, vinegars, honey, fruits, etc.- and those that are industrially created – aspirin, band-aids, electricity, toilet paper, eyeliner.
Going Crunchy – helped me find that calm, that balance. It’s connected me to generations past. It’s made me happy.
Welcome back!
I’m really glad you are back. The biggest thing I learned is that really a lot of what we are told to buy is not necessary. I tried the OCM, honey, etc.,..and while I didn’t love either completely, I loved learning that I could put less on my face in terms of products and it will be better overall. It is the best it has been in a while.
My life is better now in general due to consciousness. I think once you start on this journey, you see other things are possible…like cutting down on coffee, for example. I’ve learned to listen to my body and face over the past years more and more. I can listen well, and am still working on acting more (I can be lazy sometimes). Your courage in righting this post is an inspiration, too. I need to get my hands on some baking soda!
First of all I would like to say how thrilled I am that you’re back. I have missed you! The thing that has changed my life most from going “crunchy” I think is just the feeling that I am doing something good for my family. I am making almost every household and beauty product in our house now and it just feels good. From toothpaste, deodorant, bath products, cleaning products, etc. And it is FUN (and rewarding)! I found your site while searching for a homemade deodorant recipe. That’s where it all started. My girls and I have been “no poo” for eight months and I can’t imagine why I ever used shampoo to begin with. 🙂 I think what I have taken from you that I’ll never forget is just the encouragement to jump out there and give things a try. They don’t always work but I can try different things and even experiment on my own now. Thank you for lighting the fire!!
Back at the end of January, I devoted a whole Saturday to watching documentaries on food and clean living (Chemerical, Forks Over Knives, Hungry for Change and several more). From that day forward, I cleaned out my cabinets of processed foods (I let my sweet hubby keep all his stuff, this was/is my personal journey and crusade, lol) sugar, etc, and as many chemicals as I could find. INCLUDING my personal products like shampoo, moisturizer, hairspray, etc etc etc ETC – YIKES!!!!
I found Crunchy Betty while searching for replacements, a gal has gotta do her hair and makeup! And wash stuff! While reading your hilarious take on several topics, I came across one that I absolutely LOVE. My favorite favorite (yes, favorite) cleaner to-date, and I found it on YOUR site!
What is it? My name for it is ‘The Most Awesomest Bathroom Cleaner. Ever.’ Yes, that one! I tweaked it a bit, because it turned a bit clumpy the next day so…I put it in my food chopper and viola! It stays nice and powdery! It cleans so well and the fragrance is wonderful. My tiles and tub are actually shiny. Really. Like squeaky shiny.
Thanks for being here – I rely on your site quite frequently! Oh, and I have forwarded to many friends your recipes for things like oven cleaner (fantastic BTW) and the essential oil trick for the ‘other poo’ – LOL
Cheers, Tami
Hi Crunchy Betty – I won’t write much but to say I think what you’re doing is awesome. You’re right, experimenting is a luxury and I realized in my own journey that we’ve been lulled into complacency by the convenience of supermarkets and mass production. I was amazed to realize I could make my own ranch dressing. I was shocked when my vinegar lemongrass concoction actually cleaned my mirrors. I was angry when I learned now much garbage is in our food system. You’re right – its a slippery slope and it would be very easy to slide down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories. For awhile I preached angrily about GMOs and parabens. I fretted in my sleep about the varieties of cancer were surely growing in my body. I bought books and joined a co-op. Your words today really hit home when you talked about going off the rails, though. If you think about anything too much, it becomes a stressor, which is exactly what we’re trying to avoid. It’s refreshing to focus simply on the whimsy of discovery, and the empowerment of self sustainability. I first came across Crunchy Betty when I tried ‘no-poo’ for the first time (didn’t stick – I’m a wimp) but it opened to me a whole new world of ideas. We make much of our own food, and now all of our own cleaning supplies. We have a garden and buy as much organic as we can. We’ve inspired our friends to try new things. People like you are the reason this world will continue to question the norms, and I thank you for that profusely. Keep it up, Crunchy Betty. The journey has just begun!
I can’t remember how I found Crunchy Betty, but you were one of my main launching boards for my desire to be more natural. I don’t want to bring down any corporations, but I do want to learn how to avoid some of the potentially harmful stuff in store-bought “health and beauty” products. The whole idea of trying to “go natural” was so incredibly overwhelming to me. I have a full-time job and two kids and I don’t have time to do the research you’ve done, so finding your site and seeing all the wonderful knowledge you and your readers have put together here was such an amazing blessing to me. Thank you so much for being willing to share all of your fun experiments with us!
Honey on my faaaaace! Seriously. That has been a huge, life-changing takeaway. And the idea that there is little sense in paying for beauty products when you can go straight to the source and cut out the crap. And I also seriously love that we are trying all of these things together, despite not knowing each other and living nowhere near each other.
It has become a running joke in my house that when my husband (a wonderful cook) enthuses about a particular spice or ingredient, it is almost inevitable that I say “do you know what else you can do with that?” And he says, “Uh… put it on your face?”
Love you, Crunchy Betty. Keep the posts a’coming! And I would love a video or two! x
I found Crunchy Betty when I writer I love retweeted your honey challenge post and I immediately decided to leap on that. Then I read your blog on solid perfumes and that freaking changed my life. I became completely obsessed with solid perfume-making and that lead into making my own body butters, sugar scrubs, face masks…whatever I could think of. Now I run a little perfume shop on Etsy which is proving to be way more successful than I’d ever imagined, all because of that perfume blog!
So for me, the benefit of going Crunchy was that I discovered new passions I’d never have stumbled into otherwise, and I’m getting to share them with other people. I’ve become braver about trying new things and talking about them, and that’s invaluable to me.
Thank you Crunchy Betty for a little courage.
I have recently become allergic to a bunch of things (including wheat, dairy, eggs and certain chemicals) and I have adult acne. Due to this I have been forced to take a step back from the prepared, prepackaged and synthetic laced products of the everyday market. And all of it was sooooooo massively overwhelming that I thought I would never be able to take pleasure in bathing ever again. So many books about ingredients I’d never heard of and things I didn’t understand confused and frustrated me. That is until you and your blog whispered to me in very reassuring tones that it would all be ok, because there were recipes to be followed and there were people to run to for aid and advice if it all went a bit upside down face. And so now I can confidently bathe and beautify with pleasure (the way it should be) So you see the first question does have a little to with Crunchy Betty! Because that’s the change for the better: a little confidence.
And, funnily enough, the most important thing that I have learned from this corner of the blog-sphere is this:
IT’S OK IF IT DOESN’T WORK!
Because you can always just try something else. No harm, No foul. You didn’t slather yourself in something toxic and harmful, only to find out it didn’t even make a difference. You say these failures were the worst part, but as someone who has tried the chemicals recommended by doctors and specialists only to find them hopelessly ineffective, I can say that failing was just part of the discovery. I have rediscovered that childlike curiosity that is so thrilling and more often that not, more rewarding than simply picking something up off a shelf only to throw it in the bin.
Hold on to that feeling of joy and wonder and keep you sage advice and exciting ideas coming because we all love having food on our face.
Going crunchy with my personal routine as well as my cleaning routine has empowered me to be more resourceful and creative. I’ve learned to ignore all the fancy advertising for products full of junk and realize that most things come down to a few simple products (for me it’s coconut oil and ACV-my husband likens it to the father in My Big Fat Greek Wedding’s affinity for windex. I agree.)
The most significant thing I’ve learned from Crunchy Betty is that not everyone has to spend 100% of their time learning about natural living. I don’t have to have an advanced degree in holistic care, nutrition-y things, etc, to be an informed person. There is so much information out there, and it’s my resonsibility to learn as much as I can; it doesn’t have to be my full time job because anything helps. The way you jump into new topics and learn as much as you can before putting your posts together is awesome-definitely inspiring!
And my favorite thing about you? I like how you make up words. The English language needs some more expressive words in it, and I think YOU are the right person for the job! 🙂
Keep it up crunchista!!
I feel a deep satisfaction making my own products and knowing that I can take care of my loved ones without all those chemicals and without having to depend on a corporation for the simplest things in life. Your blog and others like it have opened my eyes to so many new and exciting ideas. Broadened my horizons in so many ways. Its like a group of local ladies sitting down with tea sharing ideas only on a much larger scale. Together we can learn and teach and most importantly do what is right for our small corners of the world, what ever that may be.
My life has changed for the better as I explore what natural skin care can do for me and my 5yo daughter who will know that beauty doesn’t come from expensive bottles (loaded with synthetics) and self-sufficiency is pretty easy to come by in our rural community. The experimentation and exploration is loads of fun. And yes, my husband’s most common response to each trial: “If it doesn’t work, can I eat it?” And of course, the answer is almost always yes…however I’m not responsible for the consequences of castor oil, et. al. on his digestive system!
So far my “crunchy” list includes dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent, no-poo, OCM and honey washes, lanolin in lieu of Vaseline (if only I could figure out how to “harvest” lanolin from our sheep without it smelling like sheep), rose hip seed oil (my skin loooooves this and my daughter has come to view this as the miracle cure for all skin woes), handmade deodorant, various creams and lotions and balms, and a lot of green cleaning (virtually all vinegar-based). I’ve found a few greener store-bought conveniences that are worth the price for me for now (Dr. Bronner’s liquid that I use to make foaming soap at all sinks and showers…really stretches those bottles and liquid dish soap).
My “clean” exterior is morphing into clean eating…we have abundant gardens and huge freezers to preserve the bounty, but I’m being even more careful with what I buy at the grocery store. For me that means going gluten-free and signing up with a personal trainer/nutritionist to make me accountable to a healthier life in terms of diet and exercise. Life’s a journey, let’s make it clean!
I found Crunchy Betty whilst comparing homemade deodorant recipes. I was having trouble finding one that worked at the drug store. What has propelled my crunchy growth is the unending philosophy that natural is better and this blog showing me ways that I had not yet thought of. Another contributing factor is my recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. I got to thinking about what other foreign substances I was exposing my body to and if I’m serious about taking care of my entire being I should also start looking at the processed food I eat and the unpronounceable chemicals I would apply every day.
I guess to be direct to your answers:
1) The foremost benefit of going crunchy is the empowerment of personal responsibility over my personal well being. I no longer entrust it to a corporation or chemical that I do not understand or use on blind faith. I have an overwhelming sense of peace and belonging to nature when I use natural products/elements to care for myself. It has become very spiritual for me to return to remedies that have worked for thousands of years as opposed to the new and improved latest offerings.
2) As I alluded to in my biographical intro: homemade deodorant. The wit and humor in those posts definitely made the whole process less awkward and really made me question what I was seeking out of a product that I put in my pits! I now have a choice in EOs to be what I see as the perfect product that delivers results that I had been unable to find over the counter.
And lastly, I’d like to congratulate you Crunchy Betty for the growth you’ve made in the last 6 months. The perspective you shared today is quite amazing! This personal shift you have made is without a doubt a turning point in your life as you have raised your personal awareness to a new level of consciousness! I’m excited to be onboard for the next leg of this journey and eagerly await more of your posts 🙂
1. I don’t know for sure if this is a “better”, but since going (mostly) crunchy/natural, I have discovered a plethora of things (chemicals mainly) that I am sensitive/allergic to. Ok, yeah, that’s good because now that I react, I avoid whereas before I had no idea it was a problem.
2. I make my own deodorant from this recipe: http://crunchybetty.com/all-roads-lead-to-the-pits-homemade-deodorant. It works, and it’s incredibly easy. 🙂
First off, I have to tell you how incredibly happy I am that you’re back!! I have learned so much from you & your blog… from the awesomeness of no-‘poo & homemade lip balm to accepting the fact that I can’t please everybody, some people (close friends & family included) are gonna think I’m nuts, and that’s ok. I know what I’m doing is trying to be more environmentally conscious & put healthier things in & on my body, my 4-year-old daughter, and maybe one day, my husband too (he is still a bit hesitant to use my homemade alternatives, stubborn man!).
My family has called me a crazy hippie & frequently ask what I have decided to try to make at home. I started with the no-‘poo, but couldn’t stick with it. I have made so far: laundry soap, vinegar all-purpose cleaner, lip balm, deodorant, bath soaks, body butter, lotion bars, a vicks-type rub and my favorite- a skin soothing moisturizing lotion! My friends are now starting to call me the Lotion Lady because they actually love the lotions I asked them to test for me. Now my sister (the biggest skeptic) & mother use my homemade deodorant, body butter & lotion. This is amazing to me because my sister is obsessed with Bath & Body Works lotions, she has at least 15 bottles of their lotions in her closet right now, not joking!
The cool thing is, I got my ideas for the deodorant and learned to infuse my oils with Calendula flowers from your post on homemade deodorant! My products may not be organic but they are mostly natural (I use emulsifying wax & a paraben free preservative in the lotions & body butters) and they are definitely better than the chemical-filled junk on the supermarket shelves.
We are all perfectly imperfect. I loved how you showed us all just how human you are. I understand how those rare negative responses can put us in a funk & maybe even make us start to doubt ourselves. But we work past it & we grow. Your writing & personal attitude have helped me acknowledge my fear of trying to new things and move past it. It’s not all as scary as it seems, sometimes its just fun. I’m even starting to sell some of my lotions & the feedback has been great. It just makes me glow when somebody tells me how they like my products.
Thank you for showing me the Crunchy Betty way. You, my good lady, are simply Awesome! Don’t let the Haters & Trolls get you down.
Wow! That went on much longer than I intended. Thanks again for all that you do for us & keep up the awesomeness!!!