After almost 8 years, first as The Inspired Little Pot, then as me (quite simply: KB), I’ve decided it’s time for a little pivot. I’ll keep this short and sweet. I’m planning on taking 6-12 months ‘off’, away from the beautiful little space I have spent so much time...

What is a circular economy? First, let’s identify the opposite of a circular economy. A linear economy is explained by the terms – convenience, single-use or purpose, disposable, discard, throwaway and replace. A linear economy assumes an unlimited supply of...

Single-use nappies are so easy to use, but convenience comes with a trade-off. They are generally not made with sustainability in mind, often produced from petroleum-based plastics and wood pulp (think deforestation). There are also concerns relating to chemicals,...

Fast fashion, a relatively new term for many of us. It’s when we buy clothes with the vision that we will just replace them when they wear out, or we get tired of them. Often the items are cheap in quality and not designed to last. So many of accumulate clothes we...

I love coffee! One of the best investments we made was buying a coffee machine – not only am I able to make a perfect (cheap) cup of coffee from the comfort of my kitchen, I now have a consistent supply of coffee grounds, and there is so much that can be done with...

It's pretty clear that synthetic fragrance is not as innocent (nor as desired) as it may have been, once upon a time. Research from the University of Melbourne shows that one in three Australians report health problems, including migraine headaches and asthma attacks,...

In order to keep your indoor plants thriving, it is a good idea to give the leaves a bit of a clean every now and then. Dirty leaves make it harder for them to photosynthesise, which is an important process by which green plants and certain other organisms transform...

I came across an article this week that really highlights the need for us to pay attention and advocate for our own health. Highly toxic substances detected in a seemingly innocent pair of Amazon-bought earrings. Lead Safe Mama, aka Tamara Rubin, is an American based...

You know when you finally make another eco-edit to your life and it becomes standard practice, and you look back and wonder what took you so long?!! Well, that's me with loose leaf tea. I don't dwell on the time it took me to wake up, I'm proud that we no longer buy...

This post is for those of you who wear make-up. I don't wear much, and I don't wear it often. I therefore forget that my make-up brushes need cleaning. Anyone else neglect their brushes too? The images below give you an idea of how long someone who doesn't wear much...

Have you heard of phthalates before? A number of studies have been carried out on the impact of phthalates on human health, and another one has just been released which prompted me to share some info with you. Phthalates are widely used synthetic chemicals that...

Let's keep this short and sweet. Most people have the best intentions when it comes to recycling but the 'rules' can be confusing, especially when many councils differ in their standards. Recycling rules for foil seem to be quite general across the board and I'll give...

This week there has been some big wins on the sustainability front with Western Australia leading the way with its plans to ban single-use plastic items. Bravo! If you'd like to see what your state has planned, check out this graph from the Australian Marine...

Mould, mould, mould. It's an unsightly pain in the backside, right? It can sneak up on most of us, and even when we treat it, it seems to simply come back again, and again, and again... Mould is an aesthetic issue, but it can also be quite a serious health concern. It...

I love colour, so do my kids, but we’ve learned over time to appreciate the softer shades that natural colours give us. In our home when we DIY, we mostly avoid micas and artificial food colouring. This doesn’t mean that you can’t use brighter colours; depending on...

Well, you have now and it’s time to get excited. Because, for the countless landfill issues plaguing our country, this concept is a game-changer. In a nutshell, ShareWaste is an app that connects you to people who have signed up in your area to collect food waste. I...

I walked past a stand at my local supermarket, and the 'natural' look of it made me stop and check out the products: Aeroguard's range of insect killers. On the front, I noticed the wording "100% Plant Based Active Ingredient". Then I noticed that this ingredient...

Urgh, we all know (and dread) the zap that static electricity causes. According to Oxford Languages, static electricity is a stationary electric charge, typically produced by friction. I remember as a kid, rubbing my feet on carpet and zapping my brother (and anyone...

The jolly season is almost upon us and I know people are starting to think about gifts for their favourites. Christmas doesn't need to be an expensive time of year, and it certainly doesn't need to generate copious amounts waste. How's this for a stat: 30%, or...

Bicarb (sodium bicarbonate) and washing soda (sodium carbonate) are staples on my DIY trolley. I use them (mainly) for cleaning purposes, as they’re completely natural and particularly useful in stain removal! Bicarb, commonly known as baking soda, is a versatile...

People often say that me and my house have a certain smell – I assume they mean a good one! Seriously though, they do, they say it smells fresh and clean and earthy! I’ll have to take their word for it because I can’t smell it myself – but that happens with scent...

So, you have a thermal appliance in the house and you'd like to use it to make my recipes? Here are some tips to help you convert recipes!Top Tips When Converting Recipes〉Weighing - While ingredients can be weighed straight into the bowl, I prefer separate digital...

I’m sure most people want to live in harmony with nature’s creatures, big and small, but ants are often an exception for many of us. Seeing their endless black trails from the smallest of gaps in your flooring, and having muffins (left on the bench for what seems like...

A question I get asked a lot is: how did you do it - start your business, keep it running, make it successful? Well, ain't that the million-dollar question! I've answered hundreds of questions individually, and it has been on my to-do list for a long time to put a...

You're sick of oily skin and breakouts. You're tired of dry and flaking skin. You no longer want to use commercial products that strip your skin of its natural goodness, sending who-knows-what down the drains. Well, if the oil cleansing method is not already on your...

I’ve been getting quite a few emails recently regarding septic systems, and whether natural DIY ingredients, like citric acid and bicarb, can be flushed into them. As I don’t have one myself, I’m pretty green in that area so I had to do my research. I decided to have...

We all want to be able to throw our dirty laundry into the washing machine, set it to go and have everything come out clean, fresh and stain-free, am I right? Here’s the thing... Marketing has conditioned us over the years to believe that whiter whites, bright...

Ahhh, expectations – the biggest block I see when it comes to natural DIY outcomes and performance. Something we need to remember is that we’ve become conditioned (did somebody say clever marketing?) to expect products to behave in a certain way. Sadly, this…

I was privileged to be considered someone worthy of a spot at the launch of ekko.world's new Eco Channel. Ekko.world is a game-changing platform that makes it easy for people to make better choices for people and planet. Whether your focus is on toxin-free living,...

Do you know what my eight-year-old son said to me today, while we were outside getting our 30 minutes of sunshine and exercise for the day? "I'm going to create a virus." Ummm, say what?!! He went on to tell me (his words) the virus would be called 'The Happy Virus',...

I am so passionate about raising the profile and awareness of natural living, namely through simple and achievable DIY. I am also realistic and I don't assume that everyone will have the time, nor the inclination, to make their own products. What I do believe is a...

There are so many reasons why ditching mainstream fabric softener is worth considering, but the best reason I have for making the switch to a natural DIY version is that it is the only way to know for certain, what you’re using! Are you aware that, in Australia at...

The more we look into natural body care and cleaning alternatives, the more we realise that Mother Nature really is giving us so much of what we need – with minimal processing. When an ingredient like castile soap can be used for body care and cleaning, why would...

I love that people feel inspired to get busy with natural DIY, and then want to share their creations with the world! The best way to get people on board is to give them a product to try – once they can see that it works just as well as its commercial counterpart, how...

For me, Christmas is about family and friends and precious togetherness under sunshine, with good music, maybe a beverage or two, and laughter, lots of it. Gratitude features prominently in my life, but even more so at Christmas; I choose to reflect on the year that’s...

You may be visiting this blog post because you saw my DIY segment on Studio 10 - if so, I am so glad you followed me up (I'll assume I inspired you, and that's a huge win for me)! I'll cover the three recipes I demonstrated on the program, plus give you a few bonus...

I’ve spent a fair bit of time travelling to different cities and states across Australia, meeting lots of new people. Some are well-established in their journey towards a life less toxic, and others that have given it some thought, taken a few little steps but haven't...

I ditched perfume and all synthetically fragranced products around 2015. When I did, I noticed what felt like an instant relief (I wish I'd done it sooner!). I’m a headache-sufferer and this one particular type of headache I used to get, that I thought was ‘normal’,...

Have you heard that term before? Have you ever walked into work or a similar indoor environment and felt sluggish, with scratchy eyes or even a tight chest? Sick building syndrome gives Monday-itis a whole new meaning. If you have experienced that unwell feeling when...

Commonly known as bicarb or baking soda, sodium bicarbonate is an ingredient you might be most familiar with seeing in cakes and muffins, but did you know how useful it is in both body care and cleaning recipes? I would absolutely recommend it as a staple to have...

Cleaning is not a job many of us particularly want to do, but one that most of us simply have to do! Where does one start? Take a walk down the supermarket aisle and you'll be assaulted by a plethora of bottles, jars, sprays and powders. How much do we really know...

It really is all in the name – fancy having a tree that produces soap-filled berries! Mother Nature really showed off with these little gems, which happen to be cousins with the commonly known lychee. The dried shells of this fruit contain saponins, a natural...

White vinegar is the unsung hero sitting in the kitchen cupboard of so many homes. It is biodegradable, inexpensive and useful in so many cleaning applications – even for use as a mild disinfectant. It is definitely a staple ingredient in many of my natural DIY...

It would be quite normal to be asked to make a cake, right? Most people would probably guess that butter, eggs and flour are generally required. However, if that same person was asked to make deodorant paste or dishwasher tablets, they might find it a little more...

Have you made a batch of my natural DIY Lip Balm yet? If not, check out the recipe here. It only requires 3 ingredients, plus essential oils, and takes less than 10 minutes of your time. It is a way better option than most store-bought varieties and is an economical...

What Is the Challenge?The challenge is to reduce my wardrobe to 100 items of clothing. That’s it. Everything else goes into a box, or the attic, and stays there.Why Am I doing It?I had already pledged to not buy anything new (clothing, accessories, shoes or homewares)...

I'd love to tell you more about my journey from me, to Inspired Little Pot, and back to me again... Well, as of 17th Feb, 2021 I am officially operating under my very own name - Krissy Ballinger. Yahoo, it feel so right! Let's rewind to my beginnings though... It...

Sometimes foaming pump bottles get a little clogged up and 'sticky' so here are a few tips to help solve that issue.〉Follow the recipe - These foaming pumps work by mixing liquid-thin soap (I use castile soap) and air, and turning it into foam. Always follow...

"Krissy, do you have a shampoo recipe?" This is a question I get asked a lot. Here’s the weird thing with hair – people tend to be SO much more fussy about their hair than their skin. We all have different hair types; curly, straight, frizzy, flat, dyed, grey, thick,...

I just LOVE talking about the concept of a period cup (and undies), but I get mixed reactions. Those who love them, love them, those who have had 2-3 exposures tend to listen with interest, and those who haven't heard of them get squirmy (but every exposure gets them...

Our skin craves nourishing plant oils to replenish, renew and perform. Many mass-market cosmetics contain mineral oil, a petroleum-based liquid. This cheap oil offers no nourishment and has a drying effect on the skin. Synthetic chemicals are also present by the dozen...

The best way to move forward on your eco-friendly, natural journey, and to ensure it is steady and sustainable, is to get educated, be inspired and empower yourself with the necessary knowledge and tools. Relying on others to give you the answers will eventually...

These are ingredients that I believe should pique curiosity. This is my watch list, ingredients that raise a red flag for me, and it is quite (ok, very) comprehensive. By no means am I telling you to avoid products that contain them. This journey is far from black and...

We live in a chemical world and the word ‘chemical’ doesn’t always equal toxic. Everything has a chemical name. It is physically impossible to live a life completely void of all chemicals, and it is unrealistic to desire a life that is ‘chemical-free’. It's the toxic...

There is so much conflicting information out there, and I get asked all the time about this mineral’s safety. Here’s a little look into the ingredient…

I have an open hate for fake smells. They give me an instant headache and I can smell it a mile away. There is nothing ok about it at all and it's coming at us from all directions. Deodorants, shampoo and conditioners, baby wipes, washing powders, plug-in air...

So you're inspired by my recipes but your head is spinning trying to work out what ingredients you need to get started, right? Let me help you and give you a bit of a guide... Bear in mind that if I was to include every single ingredient used in my recipes, your...