Self-sufficiency and sustainable lifestyle(s) Books

Book SynopsisClean body, clean home, clean spirit! This philosophy is the inspiration that Lisa Bronner—granddaughter of Dr Emmanuel Bronner—carries with her as a mother, homeowner and company spokesperson for Dr. Bronner’s. Since the company was founded more than 75 years ago, it has been a trailblazer in the natural cleaning community thanks to its quality products and strong dedication to care for consumers and the planet. Now Soap & Soul imparts the secrets you’ll want for cleaning your home, body and mind the Dr. Bronner’s way. For the reader learning how to go green as well as the loyal Dr. Bronner’s fans, this book is an invaluable resource. Lisa is at the ready to answer any question, from navigating labels and ingredients to understanding how your soaps and fabric softeners work. Organised by room and including charming line illustrations, this book is a recipe for a clean and happy home.

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Book SynopsisA magical book featuring Tanja B. Linde's illustrations, InMy Nature will help you realize your own potential by unearthing your connection to the natural world. Having lived nomadically for the past decade, Tanja has found ways to make the most out of every experience. She believes that if we choose to listen to our higher nature and live life on our own terms, we can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. Divided into three sections – Venture Inward, Go Explore and Seek Discomfort – In My Nature guides your journey on a free-spirited path. Throughout the book you will be offered up inspiration and ideas for activities that let you reconnect with nature, which are bound to enrich your body, soul and spirit. Find encouragement to go beyond your limits, set intentions and venture out into a world full of adventure. Know what it means to be in your element and live a life that is both meaningful and endlessly exciting.

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Book SynopsisHow can we live more responsibly? In this A-Z, Ruth Valerio highlights the main threats to people and our planet, God's beloved creation. She shows us how, by making small but significant changes to our lifestyle, we can learn the secret of a life that is both fair and simple. Scenario: you wake up and jump in the shower. The water is hot and the house warm. You eat breakfast: coffee made with water boiled in the kettle, and cereal with milk kept cool in the fridge. You throw out the foil trays from last night's takeaway before jumping in the car and setting off for work. You've done nothing unusual, but already your lifestyle choices - yes, choices - have had an impact on people and the environment across the world. With warmth and honesty, the author shares her personal journey as well as disturbing findings and deep concerns. It is her passion that we would all play our part in caring for the amazing earth that our God has so wisely and generously created.Trade ReviewRuth Valerio is a true pioneer... This book brings us all the benefit of her hard-won experience and applied faith, and will be an essential resource for all concerned to live the whole of their lives to God's glory and for the healing of his creation. -- Peter Harris, A Rocha * 2008 edition *An incredible textbook for changing the world. -- Shane Claiborne, author and activist * 2008 edition *Offers a challenge that none of us can ignore. Buy it, read it, and make a difference. -- Elaine Storkey, Theologian, author and social scientist * 2008 edition *A wealth of ideas for those who want to live with integrity in the light of Scripture. -- Roy McCloughry, author * 2008 edition *We are standing on the brink of ecological collapse. Many fall into the temptation of apathy or despair. In this inspiring book, Ruth Valerio moves us from apathy to action, challenging us with the urgent biblical mandate to become healers of the Earth. She moves us from despair into becoming drivers of change, not only making individual lifestyle changes, but becoming catalysts for significant transformation in society. This is a practical handbook of faith and action that every Christian should read, use and recycle on to as many friends as possible! -- Dr Rachel Mash, Canon for the Environment, Anglican Church of Southern AfricaRuth has a rare ability to change a person’s way of seeing the world, and at the same time provide very practical steps needed to live out that new way of seeing the world. She’s done that for me. Because of Ruth, I see caring for God’s beautiful world as a natural part of following Christ and I have plenty of simple ways to put that faith into action. This book will do the same for you. -- Jeff Galley, Central LifeGroups and Missions Leader, Life.Church, USRuth's love for the natural world bursts through every page of this book. For many years, she has shaped her life to share this planet with God's amazing community of creation. This book is a priceless handbook on how to live sustainably. Ruth does so humbly and honestly, sharing the joys and difficulties of being planet-friendly in a consumer world. -- Margot Hodson, church minister and Theology and Education Director of the John Ray InitiativeI absolutely love this book. There cannot be a more poignant moment to pick such a relevant and engaging read. In these pages we are invited to participate in a journey that will shape the future of our world and the world of so many others. Ruth takes us on a journey that we can all engage in, with easy-to-access ideas and practices. I felt so energised having read this, to be part of that different story. Buying this book will change your life for the better, and in so doing, change our world. -- Mark Melluish, Minister, St Paul’s Ealing, and Assistant National Leader of New Wine UK

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Book SynopsisThe Wild Life is John Lewis-Stempel's account of twelve months eating only food shot, caught or foraged from the fields, hedges, and brooks of his forty-acre farm. Nothing from a shop and nothing raised from agriculture. Could it even be done?We witness the season-by-season drama as the author survives on Nature's larder, trains Edith, a reluctant gundog, and conjures new recipes. And, above all, we see him get closer to Nature. Because, after all, you're never closer to Nature than when you're trying to kill it or pick it.Lyrical, observant and mordantly funny, The Wild Life is an extraordinary celebration of our natural heritage, and a testament to the importance of getting back to one's roots - spiritually and practically.Trade ReviewThis is a great book: tough and funny, metaphysical and earthy, passionate and honest. Most of all, honest: not just in the sense of 'candid', but honest also in that it reveals the sheer bloody awkwardness, and the sheer awkward bloodiness, of trying to live even semi-wild these days. What might seem like a gimmick turns out to be a way of discovering a great deal about that complicated thing we call 'land'. There's also some beautiful writing about place -- Robert Macfarlane, author of the international bestseller, The Wild PlacesBeautifully written. The closest thing you can get to poetry in prose -- Paul Blezzard * Hay on Wye Literary Festival *A fascinating account of each month as [John Lewis Stempel] tracks, kills and gathers what he needs to stay alive... But this is more than just a rundown of all the perfectly edible stuff out there that we tend to overlook in our everyday, supermarket-dominated lives. The Wild Life is also a meditation on survival and our connection to the land... A timely and compelling book -- Jason Webster * Sunday Telegraph *Tough, honest, funny, poetic and informative, this is an initiatory and spiritual journey. A life lesson for us all * Ecologist *A large slice of nostalgia served up in an amusing and informative narrative * Manchester Evening News *

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Book Synopsis'Fee writes with stunning honesty ... utterly breathtaking' - BustleA beautiful memoir from an exciting young writer, Meg Fee, on finding her way in New York City. Full of the dramas and quiet moments that make up a life, told with humour, heart, and hope. In Places I Stopped on the Way Home, Meg Fee plots a decade of her life in New York City - from falling in love at the Lincoln Center to escaping the roommate (and bedbugs) from hell on Thompson Street, chasing false promises on 66th Street and the wrong men everywhere, and finding true friendships over glasses of wine in Harlem and Greenwich Village. Weaving together her joys and sorrows, expectations and uncertainties, aspirations and realities, the result is an exhilarating collection of essays about love and friendship, failure and suffering, and above all hope. Join Meg on her heart-wrenching journey, as she cuts the difficult path to finding herself and finding home.Trade ReviewIf you ever needed a book that would be both relatable as hell when you're in your lowest dating woes, and act as the most soothing balm for heartbreak, then you need to add this book in your life.' * Bustle *A beautifully warm-hearted and vulnerable memoir. I enjoyed every single page.' * Emma Gannon, author & broadcaster, Ctrl Alt Delete *Meg writes so movingly about the way one's ghosts can inhabit a city, and how courage comes from embracing them.' * Daisy Buchanan, author, How to Be a Grown-Up *Places I Stopped on the Way Home is perfect - an exquisite articulation of loneliness and searching.' * Laura Jane Williams, author, Ice Cream for Breakfast *Without question the best book I've read this year, and one that I will return to again and again, Places I Stopped on the Way Home is everything I love in a book.' * The Literary Edit *A collection of raw yet beautifully crafted snapshots of Meg Fee's painful coming-of-age in the city she had dreamed of inhabiting ... touched me far more than I had expected.' * A Life in Books *Places I Stopped on the Way Home is an engaging account of a young woman shaping a life that shows her what she does and doesn't want, ultimately allowing her to become the person she wants to be . I found myself frequently marking lines and wondering how Fee had sussed so many of these things long before I did.' * The Writes of Woman *

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling authority on connecting children with nature, a one-of-a-kind guide chock-full of practical ideas, advice and inspiration for creating a nature-rich life - for kids and grown-ups.In his groundbreaking international bestseller Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv spotlighted the alienation of children from the natural world, coining the term 'nature-deficit disorder'. Vitamin N is the comprehensive practical handbook, a complete prescription for enjoying the natural world.Includes:Five hundred activitiesScores of informational websitesAn abundance of down-to-earth adviceDozens of thought-provoking essays.Unlike other guidebooks, Vitamin N (for 'nature') addresses the whole family and the wider community, encouraging parents eager to share nature with their kids. It is a dose of pure inspiration, reminding us that looking up at the stars or taking a walk in the woods is as joyful as it is essential, at any age.Trade ReviewRichard Louv's Vitamin N should find its place in the list of essential vitamins! If we stress a connection to the natural environment... we can lessen the lifelong effects of a stressful childhood, including depression, obesity [and] behavior problems. * Mary Brown, MD, past board member of the American Academy of Pediatrics *[The Last Child in the Woods] is an absolute must-read for parents. * Boston Globe *Louv proclaims the many advantages of reconnecting with nature, both for children and adults, in an insightful and practical guide chock full of inspirational advice... This important new book provides the tools to reclaim the wonders and health benefits of nature. * Publishers Weekly *Vitamin N [is] a cheerfully pragmatic, can-do manual on parenting... We must create a nature-filled world, starting now-in our families, neighborhoods, and communities. * Outside Magazine *One of the 3 best reasons to go outdoors * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisA Guide to Eco-Anxiety outlines a manifesto for action, connection and hope. Showing how to harness anxiety for positive action, as well as effective ways to reduce your personal carbon footprint. The most powerful thing we can do to combat climate change is to talk about it and act collectively. But despite it being an emergency, most people don’t bring climate change into conversation in everyday life. The book explores the health impact of experiencing eco-anxiety, grief and trauma, and signposts recommended treatments and therapies. It also tackles practical issues such as: why it's important to reduce plastic waste; parenting and the choice to have a family; which is more effective to bring your carbon footprint down, go vegan or fly less? The book will cultivate a pragmatic form of hope by offering a dynamic toolkit packed with practical ways to connect with community and systemic support, self-care practices to ease the symptoms of anxiety, and strategies to spread awareness and – crucially – bring about change.Trade ReviewAn awesome and important book!

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Book SynopsisHUNDREDS OF PRACTICAL WAYS TO HELP COMBAT THE CLIMATE CRISIS! Turn over a green leaf in every aspect of your life with this comprehensive guide. Packed with practical, reliable and up-to-date advice about making achievable and sustainable changes, this book shows you can cut carbon by: HEATING AND COOLING YOUR HOUSE INTUITIVELY by using a smart thermostat or plugging your chimney MANAGING DEVICES AND ELECTRONICS by unplugging unused chargers or passing along your old phone COOKING, WASHING AND CLEANING SMART by frying with small pans, defrosting the freezer regularly or washing your car with rainwater GARDENING ACCORDING TO NATURE by participating in No Mow May or by creating your own green roof SHOPPING AND TRAVELLING CONSCIOUSLY by becoming a “locavore” or supporting low carbon resorts CHANGING FINANCIAL HABITS by investing in the future or buying services rather than products Everywhere you look, there’s a way to help the planet. Whether it’s a simple change of habit or a forward-thinking home improvement project, you’ll find plenty of suggestions to improve your bank balance, your health and your eco-karma.

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Book SynopsisMakers are at the forefront of finding solutions for sustainable living. Crafting something from scratch means you get to carefully choose the materials you use, your method and philosophy for making it, and the way you use the final product. Maker.DIY Sustainable Projects features 15 step-by-step projects that are created using sustainable materials and upcycling methods. Each make will help readers along their journey to an eco-friendly lifestyle, not only in the repurposing of the old into new and beautiful products, but in the making of practical, useful tools that will actively encourage a more sustainable way of life. Created by artist and educator Audrey Love, a passionate advocate of upcycling and sustainable design, the projects range from easy as pie to satisfyingly advanced. Audrey's step-by-step instructions are easy to follow, and accompanied by beautiful photography sharing styling ideas and essential technical skills. From constructing a portable greenhouse from old picture frames to creating your own drawstring bags for zero-waste, zero-plastic shopping trips, these projects will change both the aesthetic and the philosophy of your life, for the better, for good. Table of ContentsStamped fabric curtains • Cyanotype chair reupholstery • Wine crate storage bench • Resin mosaic tabletop • Papercrete pendant lamp • Self-watering planter • Wine crate and picture frame greenhouse • Upcycled hanging garden • Cookie tin solar lamp • Ladybird house • Sweater into gear protector • Envelope lunch cooler • Portable Bluetooth speaker from an old radio • Massaging shampoo bar • Drawstring grocery bags.

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Book SynopsisMany of us feel powerless to solve the looming climate and waste crises. We have too much on our plates, and may think these problems are better solved by governments and businesses. This book unlocks the potential in each "too busy" individual to be a crucial part of the solution. Stephanie Miller combines her career focused on climate change with her own research and personal experience to show how a few, relatively easy lifestyle changes can create significant positive impact. Using the simplicity of the 80/20 rule, she shows us those things (the 20%) that we can do to make the biggest (80%) difference in reversing the climate and waste crises.

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Book SynopsisImagining Air tackles air as a cultural, medical, and environmental phenomenon. Its major aim is to explore air’s visibility and invisibility within the environment through the investigation of such phenomena as pollution and pandemics. The book provides environmental and medical perspectives on air, in particular how it has historically been envisioned in U.S., Canadian and British cultural and literary narratives. The authors explore how these representations and the constructed meanings of air can help us understand the complex nature of air as it pertains to the COVID-19 pandemic, air pollution and broader environmental degradation. Chapter authors: Siobhan Carroll, Jeff Diamanti, Corey Dzenko, Clare Hickman, Tatiana Konrad, Jayne Lewis, Chantelle Mitchell, Christian Riegel, Arthur Rose, Gordon M. Sayre, Savannah Schaufler.Table of ContentsInformation on Contributors Introduction: Toward a Cultural Axiology of Air TATIANA KONRAD, CHANTELLE MITCHELL, and SAVANNAH SCHAUFLER Part I: Aerial Politics—Pollution, Consumerism, and Catastrophe 1. Fordism in Detroit, Consumerism in Los Angeles: A Brief History of Automobile Emissions Regulation and Lessons for Greenhouse Gas Pollution GORDON M. SAYRE 2. Dirty Air: Literary Tropes of the Canadian Nation CHRISTIAN RIEGEL 3. Witnessing Challenger: Viewing Aerial Space through the Reverberations of Disaster CHANTELLE MITCHELL Part II: Air and Art in Times of Crisis 4. Speculative Fiction, Atmotechnic Ecology, and the Afterlife of Romantic Air SIOBHAN CARROLL 5. Respiratory Realism: Elemental Intimacies Between “Carbon Black” and Red Desert JEFF DIAMANTI 6. Rumpled Bedsheets and Online Mourning: Social Photography and the COVID-19 Pandemic—Haruka Sakaguchi’s Quarantine Diary and Marvin Heiferman’s Instagram account @whywelook COREY DZENKO Part III: Trans-Sensory Air: Bodies and Environments 7. Envisioning Experiments on Air and the Nonhuman ARTHUR ROSE 8. The Importance of Open Air for Health: Environmental and Medical Intersections CLARE HICKMAN 9. “The Endless Space of Air”: Helen Keller’s Auratic Worldbuilding JAYNE LEWIS 10. Questions of Visibility: Aerial Relations across Society and the Environment, as Revealed by COVID-19 SAVANNAH SCHAUFLER Index

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Book Synopsis‘I love this book – clever ideas we can all do ourselves’ Kate Watson-SmythOur homes have always been our castles, but today they need to be so much more than simply a roof over our heads. Home offices, workout studios, entertaining spaces, mental health sanctuaries and centres for self-care… the demands on our four walls are unprecedented. At the same time, more of us are privately renting than at any time since the mid-1970s – but that doesn’t mean we can’t make our homes into aesthetically-conscious living environments that reflect our unique sense of style and bring joy to our everyday lives. In Your Not Forever Home, Katherine Ormerod has curated a range of projects for every room in a rented house or flat, guiding you through techniques and invaluable insights that will help create spaces tailored to your taste. Katherine addresses why many of us are renting now

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Book SynopsisThe Renewable Energy Home Handbook is biased towards the practical, and covers the installation of all leading types of alternative domestic energy sources - from ground- and air-source heat pumps, PV solar electricity generation and solar water heating, to bio-mass domestic heating systems and wind turbines. Discussing the pros and cons of each technology, it also provides you with a clear overview of what's genuinely required and the benefits to be gained from each system. The author, Lindsay Porter, is best known for his books on motor vehicle technology, making car mechanics and body repairs easy to understand and carry out. But alternative energy and conservation have long been a passion for him and his wife, Shan, so this manual is very much a labour of love. Here, Lindsay applies his commitment to making difficult subjects easy for everyone to understand to the money-saving - planet-saving - systems we can apply to our homes.Table of Contents1. Introduction to renewable energy: WHAT'S INSIDE THIS MANUAL; DOWNSIDES TO RENEWABLES; BE A CLEVER CUSTOMER; UPSIDES TO RENEWABLES; PAYBACK (Feed-in Tariffs etc.) 2. INSULATION & ENERGY SAVING. Reduce need and make generation simpler and cheaper. 3. LIVING OFF-GRID - AN OVERVIEW 4. SOLAR WATER HEATING. Easily the most reliable and cost effective of all micro-generation systems. Options explained and installations followed step-by-step. 5. BIO-MASS Room heaters and central heating systems, inc. wood pellet and logs. Options explained and an installation followed step-by-step. 6. SOLAR ELECTRICITY GENERATION Installation and use of PV (photo-voltaic) panels. Options explained (inc. feed-in vs. batteries and inverters) and an installation followed step-by-step. 7. WIND TURBINES Options explained (inc. feed-in vs. batteries and inverters) and installations followed step-by-step. 8. HEAT PUMPS, AIR- & GROUND-SOURCE. Options explained and typical installations followed step-by-step. Uses in both heating and air conditioning. House heating equipment requirements - radiator types needed, etc. 9. OTHERS: DOMESTIC TECHNOLOGIES: Exercise bike generator, Fuel cells, Heat Recovery, Micro-CHP (micro combined heat and power), Micro Hydro Power, SVO (Straight Vegetable Oil) Generator. LARGE-SCALE: Anaerobic Digestion, Wave Power CH10 Safety & Tools

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Book SynopsisIn 2003 Ben Law captivated the nation by building his woodland house on Channel 4s Grand Designs programme, the home was later voted the most popular Grand Design ever by viewers. The presenter, Kevin McCloud, loved the project so much that he has written the foreword to this book! A Grand Designs Revisited programme was aired on British TV in October 2005. Full of stunning colour photographs, The Woodland House is a visual guide to how Ben built his outstandingly beautiful home in the woods. It is also a practical manual, and the story of a man realising a lifetimes dream to build one of the most sustainable and beautiful homes in Britain. The Woodland House gives details of the evolving design process, the identifying of materials, costings, project management and the actual building. It proves that low cost, low impact and high aesthetics can go hand in hand and that it is possible to build green and affordably. As the pre-eminent UK example of building with wood and renewable materials this will also appeal to the growing number of people with environmental and green interests, as well as to the building communityTrade ReviewThe Woodland House is a gorgeous and glowing testimony to Ben's house. It has enough text to tell you what you need to know, but it lets the colour photos do most of the talking, and the result is a beautifully produced book that you could leave on any coffee table, it would melt the most hostile of hearts. It has an excellent collection of resources and other information, and it does what Permanent Publications books do best, it celebrates its subject, while at the same time passing on the practical tools to allow us to make one ourselves. Rob Hopkins, Permaculture Magazine

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Book SynopsisIn Building A Low Impact Roundhouse Tony Wrench shares his many years of experience, his skills and techniques, his ups and downs, always in a witty and inspiring manner. The book covers the process of visualising and designing a house through to the practical side of lifting the living roof, infilling the walls, laying out rooms and adding renewable, autonomous technology. Building A Low Impact Roundhouse has become a classic text. Tonys home and lifestyle have attracted the interest of the media and he and his partner continue to inspire many individuals and communities to seek out ways of living more sustainably. Now in its fourth edition, with a fascinating 2014 update. Tony also includes sections on the physical design and writes about the lifestyle required for living in a roundhouse. He offers advice on roofs, floors, walls, compost toilets, wood stoves, kitchens, windows and on planning permission. There are additional photographs of life in and around the dwelling and illustrations from the construction plans for one of the UK's most unique of homes. This true and captivating story covers the realisation of a lifetime s dream as well as being a practical how to manual for anyone who loves the idea of low impact living and wants to self-build an affordable, organic home.Trade ReviewThis book is a description of the fascinating process that would lead through the design of the structure, the detailing, the construction and the fitting out. It is not a technical treatise in any sense, though the basic sketches could be used to build a similar structure. There are many good photos to back up the text, and they give a better sense of scale than the line illustrations. The book is well written with a good deal of wit and logical explanation, by a permie who is obviously in tune with living sustainably and willing to eschew much of the baggage we take for granted, but is still able to live simply and luxuriously. Highly recommended. Micheal Guerra, author of Compact Living

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Book SynopsisThis book explores ways to address personal, social and environmental concerns in simple practical steps in our daily lives. It explains how individuals and communities can work together to achieve positive change. It discusses the current political and mainstream paradigms and where they are leading us. The thoughts and actions of people past and present have determined the current state of our planet. If we change our thinking, we can change the health of our own lives, and also the future state of our world. 7 Ways to Think Differently explores ways to address personal, social and environmental concerns in simple practical steps in our daily lives, helping us to make incremental, achievable changes. As well as addressing our internal landscapes, Looby explains how individuals and communities can work together to achieve positive change. She also explores the current political and mainstream paradigms and where they are leading us.Trade ReviewThroughout this very readable book Looby encourages us to think about thinking ... and in doing so she poses a number of fundamental questions including, for example: How do you see the world?, What might influence how you think about this?, What are your beliefs and assumptions?, What are the patterns of thinking that recreate feelings, behaviours and learning?, How can you go deeper and think more critically to challenge these? and How can you reinterpret these stories? The Introduction covers how she developed the basis for the book and briefly lists the seven different ways (and her choice of symbols to illustrate each one). She provides explanations of Permaculture and The Work That Reconnects, Thinking about Thinking, Shifting our Thinking and concludes with Landscape of Thought which pulls all seven ways together into a single graphic image. The bulk of the book has seven chapters, each covering one of the seven ways, which are: abundance thinking, solutions thinking, systems thinking, thinking like nature, co-operative thinking, thinking for the future and from thinking to doing. Each one adds structure and depth to the unfolding story. The final pages are packed with further resources, listing books, websites and films as well as 46 references used throughout the text. There is also a very useful double page Ways of Thinking Summary with multiple examples and the relevant permaculture principles applying to each one. In her closing words Looby asks us to accept that this [book] is an invitation to embark on a beautiful journey of embracing, responding and discovering. I do, I am now using the book and strongly recommend it to you as one very effective tool for being and doing in a very different way.; Alan Charlton, Permaculture magazine

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Book SynopsisIf you want to introduce alternative power supplies around the home and garden or even live totally off-grid in your boat, caravan or yurt and need a practical introduction to solar power and 12 volt supplies, here is an essential guide to the subject. Not only will it save you money, it will show you how to run your lights, laptop, DVDs and music, and even your tools and household products, from a simple 12 volt system. Be in control of more of your home's own energy supply, develop a low impact way of living and be prepared for power cuts and for power down situations in the future! Do It Yourself 12 Volt Solar Power begins with a lesson in how electricity works and the main components of a DIY solar system. The author uses clear diagrams and terms. There is, of course, more technical information as the book progresses, but don't worry, this no-nonsense guide provides a useful, back-to-basics approach for the layperson. This is a reference book that will help you trouble-shoot and get the best value for money from what you can find hidden in the back of the garage. Quirky and humorous, it also shows you how to make a sun following system using just a bicycle wheel, a pallet and the motor from a CD player!Trade ReviewThis book is unique. As far as I know no-one else has collected together a full range of the techniques you can use to live happily off the grid with solar electricity. At present it's mostly relevant to travellers and people living beyond the reach of the mains, but the day when it becomes important for all of us may be nearer than we think. Patrick Whitefield, author of the Earth Care Manual

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Book Synopsisideas and inspiration for those looking to reduce their household waste Is recycling really the answer to household waste? How do we eliminate microplastics from our wastewater? How do we avoid consumer goods that are designed to break? How do we stop the oceans being trashed? Towards Zero Waste offers practical tools for change in your own kitchen, on your weekly shop and around your home, as well as in the wider world. Feidhlim Harty explores how and why we need to go zero waste, firstly looking at where waste currently goes, and revealing the hidden world of food and product miles and embodied energy. He shares how to reduce waste room by room, at events, parties, during our travels, and at work. Having minimised waste for over two decades, Feidhlim and his family share their clever ideas to eliminate junk, buy wisely, free yourself from useless packaging, reduce not only your eco footprint but your household bills, compost all biodegradables, and reuse, repair and reroute. They share five simple steps to zero waste and inspire us to be active and push for change. There is a hunger now within society to address the root causes of plastic waste, right back to the point of oil and gas extraction. People want no part in adding to plastics in the oceans or spreading microplastics into our water, soils and food. Nor do they want to be subjected to the cynical betrayal of consumer built-in obsolescence. Patience with government policy and corporate greenwashing is wearing thin. Towards Zero Waste offers clear guidance for anyone wanting to actively be part of the solutions and not the problems.

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Book SynopsisAn attractive, practical guide to making all your own household cleaning products. Clean your home and your clothes while being kind to yourself and the environment.

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Book SynopsisThe Compost Coach is a colourful, comprehensive and accessible guide to creating the very best compost AKA garden gold. Kate is on a mission to empower readers to understand the small steps they can take every day to look after the environment and live more sustainability.The book is pitched at the home composter, including people who live in apartments and houses with or without gardens (yes, you can compost without a garden!). Kate helps the reader to rethink their waste management and teaches them how easy it is to divert food scraps and household carbon away from landfill. She unravels the technicalities of soil science, talks through the building blocks of a robust compost system and busts a few myths along the way. Charming illustrations, how-to photos, and Kate's warm, entertaining voice complete the package.Trade Review'Kate's approach is as honest as it is loving. Every practical, relatable page will inspire you to get down and dirty with compost.'Costa Georgiadis, Gardening Australia host'This book will help grow a new generation of composters.'Charles Dowding, No Dig Gardening'Best book for beginners like me.'Holly Wainwright, Executive editor, Mamamia'A wonderful resource for anyone who cares about their garden and the planet.' Phil Dudman, Organic Gardener'A beautiful, detailed and well-organised guide to everything about composting.' Gardening Australia'A book worth picking up!' Tiffany Dunk, Australian Women's Weekly'Learn exactly how to create your own garden gold.' Country Style'A brilliant new book on everything to make composting easy and accessible.' Helen Young, Weekend Australian Magazine'A fascinating peek into the mysteries of soil science. A feast for the mind as well as the garden!'People's Friend magazine'For a clear explanation of the C:N ratio, as well as everything else you've ever wanted to know about compost, I highly recommend The Compost Coach, by Kate Flood.Fiona Ogilvie, The Land'Pitched at the home gardener, The Compost Coach explains the techniques, dispels the myths, and is accompanied by plenty of how-to images and illustrations.'Roger Fox, Starts at 60Table of ContentsIntroductionChapter 1: The WhatChapter 2: The WhyChapter 3: The HowAlessandro Vitale: the urban composterCosta Georgiadis: the community composterChapter 4: The KitCharles Dowding: the large-scale composterChapter 5: The WormsChapter 6: The WhoChapter 7: The ScrapsHannah Moloney: the permaculture composterChapter 8: The SoilFinal thoughtsNotesThank youIndex

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisIn this timely book, John Parkes demystifies the brewing process and explains in easy-to-follow terms how anyone can produce delicious beer with the help of just some basic equipment and a few key skills. Those new to home brewing will love the easy-to-follow instructions and the detailed explanations of the brewing process and anyone already adept at home brewing will be delighted by the original recipes. Made without unnecessary chemicals and additives, the beers featured here will appeal to anyone seeking a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

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Book SynopsisNature Devotional is a stunning ‘prayer’ book every lover of the natural world will cherish. Beautifully illustrated eco-spiritual meditations, mantras and visual messages of hope, respect and wisdom make this the definitive devotional to uplift anyone who reveres nature’s magic and her teachings. Trade Review"Thoughtful reflections, lovely drawings, and seasonally inspired affirmations." * Library Journal *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Early Spring: Quiet Growth 2. Late Spring: Blossoming 3. Summer: Emergence 4. Early Fall: Reconnection 5. Late Fall: Preparation 6. Winter: Stillness

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Book SynopsisThe New Pallet Book brings more than 25 new ideas for woodworking projects devoted to the ubiquitous wooden pallet (more than 50 total!). Table of ContentsINTRODUCTIONCHAPTER ONE WORKING WITH PALLETS CHAPTER TWO OUTDOOR EYE-CATCHERS Small-Bird Birdhouse Small Planter Patio Loveseat Porch Swing Chaise Lounge QUICK 3 Plant Markers Outdoor Lighting Fixtures Window Shutters Planter Bench Adirondack Chair Central AC Unit Screen Potting Bench Strawberry Box Workbench Toss Across Game Boards QUICK 3 Pathway Pavers Compost Bin Handy Vertical Planter Pool Noodle and Towel RackCHAPTER THREE STOW IN STYLE Coat Rack and Shelf Garden Tool Organizer Small Wall-Mounted Shelf Large Shoe Rack Hanging Pot Rack Large Bookshelf QUICK 3 Towel Ladder Rack Mug Holder Drink Coasters Spice Rack Crafts Center Wine and Liquor Bottle Rack Beer Caddy Tool Carrier Recycling Bin HolderCHAPTER FOUR HOME GOODS (AND GREATS!) Platform Bed Potted Plant Tower Play Structures QUICK 3 Child’s Safety Gate Fireplace Surround Room Divider Screen Firewood Holder Desk Hanging Picture Frame QUICK 3 Coffee Table Message Board Bathroom Magazine Rack Side Table QUICK 3 Tea Light Candleholders Key and Scarf Holder Bathtub Caddy Clock Dartboard Case Ottoman Pet Bowl HolderMETRIC CONVERSIONS ABOUT THE AUTHOR RESOURCES INDEX

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"I loved the book. I love the Princeton University Press series. I've read a dozen of these now; they're all awesome but I was very excited to see this one."---Ryan Holiday, Daily Stoic podcast"This book is a gem."---Jonathan Self, Country Life"[A]n engaging mixture of history, philosophy, [and] poetry. . . . [T]his suitably sturdy volume is small enough to fit easily into the knapsack or the pocket of the hill-walker or the eco-tourist and would give him plenty of food for thought as he eats his ploughman’s lunch."---John Godwin, Journal of Classics Teaching

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The Ultimate Prepper's Survival Guide discusses and reveals all the skills you will need to survive TEOTWAWKI ('The End Of The World As We Know It' in survivalist jargon). It divulges what might cause societal breakdown, as well as how to survive in the short-term as society begins to collapse, and how to thrive in the long-term. Subjects covered include advance preparation, self-defence, medical advice, how to build shelter and a new home, advice on self-sufficiency, while also providing the mental and emotional guidance needed to help you through the most stressful experience you will ever have. We live in precarious times and increasingly people are recognizing that preparedness could mean the difference between life and death in the very near future. Written by the world's number one survivalist, this book may well be the most important book you will ever read.

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Book SynopsisAn actionable guide to mindfulness and practical ethics for any creative professional who wants to make a living without selling their soul.It can be difficult to live according to our values in a complicated world. At a time when capitalism seems most unforgiving but the need for paying work remains high, it is important to learn how we can be more mindful and intentional about our impact personal, social, economic, and environmental.As designer and creative director Kelly Small had to do to navigate a crisis of ethics and burnout in their career in advertising, we can admit our complicity in problematic systems and take on the responsibility of letting our own conscience guide our decisions.Start with one or many of these 100+ rigorously researched, ultra-practical action steps: Co-create and collaborate Get obsessed with accessibility Demand diverse teams Commit to self-care Make ethics a competitivTrade ReviewKelly Small’s experience as a former creative director provides valuable insight … Small’s thorough breakdown of ethical concerns in the workplace can benefit anyone wanting to grow as an ally in a nation rife with issues of disparity. * Cascade *What Kelly Small brings to the table is a healthy dose of both inspiration and practicality … Kelly Small’s personal story is an inspiration in itself, shared throughout the book with candour and courage. If you’re a creative searching for cleaner, healthier, and socially just ways to practice, you’ll not find a better place to start looking. And the timing couldn’t be better. * Applied Arts *

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Book SynopsisCrafting is so much fun – but did you know that it can sometimes create excess waste that is not good for our planet? For this imaginative collection of projects, most of what you need is already in your recycling box, but for other supplies there is a handy guide on what gets a planet-friendly thumbs up and what to avoid. Throughout the book, you'll find facts, tips and handy hints on how to be a crafty eco-warrior. There are also special information sections dotted throughout covering tips and ideas for climate activism and an overview of the main climate issues we face. Projects include: bear plant pots, shirt scrunchies, beeswax lunch bags, DIY paint and egg carton crown. AUTHORS: Laura Minter and Tia Williams are two creative mums based in Sussex, UK. They started Little Button Diaries, their award-winning crafting and baking blog in 2013 to show that having children doesn't mean you have to stop doing the things you love. Laura and Tia also write craft tutorials for craft superstore Hobbycraft and they have written many books for GMC Publications, including The Superhero Craft Book, The Dinosaur Craft Book, The Mermaid Craft Book, The Horrible Craft Book and The Big Book of Dressing Up. 400 photographs

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Book SynopsisMicroscopic organisms are as important to plant growth as water and light. Microbe Science for Gardeners highlights the essential role of microbes in plant biosystems and health, provides practical how-to gardening advice for enhancing plant microbiomes and preventing disease, and debunks common gardening myths.Trade Review"Robert Pavlis' newest book, Microbe Science for Gardeners beautifully breaks it down in his usual no-nonsense way. If you want to learn anything about the science of soil, and what's in it, this book will help you easily understand the vital role microbes play in bringing soil (and everything growing in it) to life!" –Joe Lamp'l, founder, joegardener.com, The Online Gardening Academy™, creator/ executive producer, Growing a Greener World® "Robert Pavlis' Microbe Science for Gardeners is an accessible and understandable dive into the amazing relationship between microbes and plants. Useful and practical gardening advice." –Jeff Lowenfels, author, the Teaming Series and DIY Autoflowering Cannabis "Microbe Science for Gardeners is deeply in-tune with the current science and Pavlis also introduces us to lesser-known and developing ideas in soil microbiology that we will see grow over the next few years. No matter your understanding of soil biology, I suspect Microbe Science for Gardeners will leave you deeply enriched, as it has me. From backyard to farm-scale, this is a book every grower should possess." –Jesse Frost, author, The Living Soil Handbook: The No-till Grower's Guide to Ecological Market Gardening "This fascinating book by Robert Pavlis presents the latest science on what is known (and not known) about the multitude of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes that fill the soil, cover leaves, and interact with roots. This is an outstanding resource and should be in the hands of anyone interested in gardening!" –Linda Gilkeson, author, Backyard Bounty: The Complete Guide to Year-Round Organic Gardening in the Pacific Northwest "A must-have for gardeners who want to understand the unseen worlds above and below the soil, Robert Pavlis' latest book explains the hidden life keeping our plants thriving." –Rebecca Martin, technical editor, Mother Earth News "Robert Pavlis has a unique ability to communicate complex topics with ease and clarity. He has done it again with Microbe Science for Gardeners. This comprehensive exploration of soil ecology examines the dynamic relationships between plants and the microbiome of the soil, providing the reader with a guide to understanding the role of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microbes in the creation and maintenance of healthy soil." –Darrell Frey, owner, Three Sisters Farm, and author, Bioshelter Market Garden: A Permaculture Farm Table of Contents1. Introduction Why Learn About Microbes? Terms Used in This Book 2. The World Under a Microscope Microbes by the Numbers Microbes Are Important to Plants Microbes Can Harm Plants Gardeners Affect Microbes How Do Microbes Move Around? How Much Do We Really Know? 3. Bacteria How Do Bacteria Eat? Where Do Bacteria Live? Life Cycle of Bacteria Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria 4. Fungi What do Fungi Eat? Where Do Fungi Live? Life Cycle of Fungi Pathogenic Fungi Mycorrhizal Fungi 5. Yeast Life Cycle of Yeast Yeast-Plant Interactions Yeast in Hellebore Nectar Yeast Creates Alcoholics Yeast on Leaves Yeast in Soil A Bioindicator of Air Quality A Possible Solution to Plastic Pollution 6. Nematodes 7. Protozoa Life Cycle of Protozoa Nutrient Cycling Protozoa-Plant Interactions Plant Diseases 8. Viruses Viruses in Soil Life Cycle of a Virus The Spread of Viruses Virus Infection of Microbes Virus Infection of Plants Rapid Mutation Beneficial Interaction with Plants 9. More Microbes Archaea Actinomycetes Cyanobacteria Algae 10. Microbe Communities Microbe Communities and Microbiomes Signaling Between Microbes Microbes Attack Microbes Mycorrhizal Interactions Lichens 11. Plants Love Microbes Nutrient Availability The Phyllosphere Rhizosphere Rhizophagy Cycle Seed Microbiome 12. Manipulating Microbes Fungal-to-Bacterial Ratio Effect of Agriculture Biodiversity 13. Bioinoculants for the Garden Bioinoculants for Seeds Bioinoculants as a Foliar Spray Bioinoculants for Soil Microbes Are No Longer Living Should Gardeners Use Commercial Bioinoculants? Compost Tea 14. Pathogens You Suspect a Disease—What Now? List of Plant Diseases Fighting Plant Diseases Commercial Pesticides Human Diseases Endnotes Index About the Author Also by the Author About New Society Publishers

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Book SynopsisExplore the fascinating, evolving world of electric vehicles, from the first EVs in the Victorian era to their rapid expansion today—and beyond. In The Electric Vehicle Revolution, automotive journalist Kevin Wilson provides a thorough, engaging overview of where EV technology is today, how it got there, and where it’s going. Since the turn of the twenty-first century, EVs have gone from wonky who-cares vehicles like GM’s EV1 and early Teslas to every manufacturer's must-have future.Electric propulsion preceded fossil-fuel cars by decades and even vied for prominence in the early twentieth century auto industry against both steam power and internal combustion engines. From Electrobat (an early New York taxi fleet) through Columbia—which had built 1,000 electric cars before either Henry Ford or Ransom Olds had built a single gasoline car—viable business start-ups in the early auto age were as competitive and Trade Review“The book is a comprehensive survey of EVs…broadly illustrated with archival photos and period advertisements, and full of stories and evidence of obscure marques—from Detroit Electric and Baker to Tropicana and Enfield—whose bizarre histories will delight you.” * Car and Driver *Table of Contents1 First Sparks Electric propulsion vies with steam power and internal combustion for prominence in the early auto industry. 2 Gilded Age Status Automotive pioneers probe battery power, but electrics remain the province of wealthy, urban consumers—as Ford’s Model T begins to change the world. 3 Success into the Shadows Despite EV successes, the early auto industry evolves to favor gasoline cars and forges a partnership with the oil industry. 4 An Idea That Won’t Die As the internal combustion engine establishes dominance in the interwar years, a select few electric visionaries persist. 5 Fifty Years in the Shade Irrelevant in the marketplace, the idea of the electric car regularly resurfaces among hobbyists and those concerned about the oil industry’s viability. 6 Oil Shocks Space Age technological advances and the oil crises plant a seed that will take decades to germinate. 7 The Pivot Point How GM’s EV1 happened, why it faltered, and how it became the basis that culminated with the first Tesla Roadster. 8 Halfway There The proliferation of hybrids, especially the plug-ins, familiarizes the industry and public with electric propulsion. 9 Tesla Rising A clear-eyed view of Tesla Motors and the responses of the conventional auto industry, rival start-ups, and regulatory agencies. 10 The Dam Breaks The rush to electrify has nations and companies declaring the end of internal combustion, but this radical transition isn’t as easy as throwing a switch.

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Book SynopsisDig into eco-gardening and cultivate your green thumb.Discover how to care for the planet while you care for your garden. This is your no-fuss guide to planet-friendly gardening.Do you want a beautiful and productive garden that won''t cost the earth but don''t know where to start? This wildlife gardening book for beginners will introduce you to all aspects of sustainable gardening. It includes a wide selection of recommended plants including trees, climbers, and wildflowers, to help encourage local biodiversity in your garden.Whether you''re growing in pots on your patio or have a fully-fledged garden, this organic gardening book explores everything you need to know to create your own eco-garden. Discover how to minimise garden waste and make soil-building compost. Learn how to do your bit to reduce your carbon footprint and make a positive contribution to slowing down climate change. You don''t have to be a horticulture expert to get started, this indispensable reference book will take you through every single step! It includes: - Tips on how to turn your outdoor space into a refuge for local wildlife - Packed with practical, jargon-free know-how and simple gardening techniques- Easy-to-follow format to help grow your gardening knowledgeLet It Grow!Gorgeous, full-colour photography provides plenty of inspiration and environmentally-friendly ideas. Expert tips and step-by-step instructions on every page guide you on how to be more sustainable and why it''s important. Grow Eco Gardening covers everything you need to work in harmony with nature. It''s the perfect book for beginner gardeners who want to do their bit for the climate.Complete the Series:Make your green-fingered dreams a reality with the Grow series from DK. Learn how to brighten up even the trickiest areas in Grow Containers, or discover how to prune your garden in Grow Pruning & Training. Alternatively, there are more titles to explore such as Grow Easy Veg and Grow Houseplants.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisTake advantage of nature's bounty and craft in time with the seasons! Whether potting up dandelion honey, cooking and crafting with rose petals or preserving autumn leaves and acorns, there are so many wonderful gifts, ornaments and treats that can be made from either a short walk in the woods or a rummage in your cupboard. With an emphasis on foraging and upcycling, Becci explores the ways we can create beautiful projects using materials readily available in the garden and home.Upcycled projects include gorgeous home textiles woven from bed linen, mini lampshade fairy lights for a summer's evening and even a fabulous picnic table from an old suitcase. Capture the breeze of autumn with wind chimes made from old necklaces and cutlery and learn how to felt old sweaters, turning them into cosy wreaths, brooches and purses for winter. There is also a section on working with willow, with projects encompassing everything from woven bird-feeders (with home-made fat balls!) to festive ornament

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Book SynopsisThe Sustainable Diet is a timely and practical guide to a healthy planet and a healthy you, complete with 100 nutritious and delicious recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.In Part One, Scott Gooding explains sustainability and looks at how farming practices have changed over the years. He answers the questions we all want to know about, such as ''Is eating animal products good for us, and the environment?'' and ''Is veganism the answer?'' Part Two contains 100 recipes that are good for you AND the planet. The Sustainable Diet is a step-by-step way to celebrate our planet and promote optimal health. It''s about taking the long view and realising that the choices we make now, in terms of what we eat and how we produce our food, will affect not only you and me but our children and future generations. Not to mention the health of the planet and the welfare of millions of animals...The latest research indicates that it is possiTrade ReviewFormer My Kitchen Rules contestant and author Scott Gooding loves inspiring... to cook ethical foods that are just as good for you as they are for the environment. * Sunrise Show, Australia *The Sustainable Diet...sheds light on why eating food that is ethically produced and locally sourced has immense benefits for the environment, economy and your health, and it's not necessarily about going vegan...For those who care about the environment but have no interest in switching to a plant-based diet, it's a great read to increase your understanding of how to make sustainable choices. * Good Health, Australia *

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Book SynopsisCreate a happy, beautiful and eco-friendly homeHaving a happy, healthy home is a key part of our wellbeing, but how do we ensure the pursuit of our perfect living space doesn't negatively impact on the environment?Blogger and low-waste expert Kezia Neusch provides simple swaps and genius hacks to help you reduce your household’s ecological footprint, covering everything from how to break up with your tumble dryer and why your mid-morning snack might be harming the planet.This book contains everything you need to know to create a sustainable home for you and your family.

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Book Synopsis**A new edition of How to Go Vegan -- updated for Veganuary 2022**GOING VEGAN IS EASY!Whether you're already a full-time vegan, considering making the switch to help fight climate change or know someone who is, this book will give you all the tools you need to make the change towards a healthier, happier and more ethical lifestyle. How to Go Vegan includes...Why try vegan?Animal welfare, the environment and global warming, health benefits, spirituality, religion and your personal adventure.Vegan at homeSurprisingly vegan foods, reading labels, vegan ingredient essentials, easy replacements, how to be the only vegan in the family, vegan kids and what to do about cheese!Vegan out in the worldEating out, eating at friends' houses, answering questions from loved ones, travelling vegan.Living the vegan lifestyleMeal plans, tips and tricks, what to do if you're struggling, how to celebrate being a vegan, sports, fitness and allergies.How to go vegan. It's easier than you think.Trade ReviewFor those who are thinking about going vegan, or those who are hesitating, this book is for you. Think of it as first aid. It contains facts, wisdom, truth, and it's practical. -- Benjamin ZephaniahOne of the best decisions I have made in my life was choosing to follow a plant based ethical vegan lifestyle. It has changed my life completely and made me feel at peace with myself. It unites my head with my heart philosophically and unites my body with our wonderful planet in the most compassionate and creative manner regarding my food choices. It is a win-win situation because a vegan lifestyle is now accepted as the healthiest choice both for my body and for our wonderful planet. This excellent book will be your guide. I heartily recommend it. -- Peter Egan8 years ago, Veganuary changed my life and if you're vegan-curious, How To Go Vegan is a MUST READ! -- Jasmine Harman

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Book SynopsisDiscover how easy it is to make fresh dairy products at home! You don’t need a commercial kitchen or specialty ingredients to whip up your own cheeses, yogurts, and spreads. With simple step-by-step instructions that don’t require complicated aging techniques, you can add a wonderful range of tart, sweet, and nutty flavors to your cooking. From fresh buttermilk for mouthwatering pancakes to creamy mozzarella in a refreshing Caprese salad, you’ll soon enjoy the fresh flavors of your homemade dairy creations.

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Book SynopsisFor more than three decades, this best-selling guide to the practice of vermicomposting has taught people how to use worms to recycle food waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer for houseplants or gardens. Small-scale, self-contained worm bins can be kept indoors, in a basement, or even under the kitchen sink in an apartment — making vermicomposting a great option for city dwellers and anyone who doesn’t want or can’t have an outdoor compost pile. The fully revised 35th anniversary edition features the original’s same friendly tone, with up-to-date information on the entire process, from building or purchasing a bin (readily available at garden supply stores) to maintaining the worms and harvesting the finished compost.

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