Ecothrifty
Cheaper, Greener Choices for a Happier, Healthier Life
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- $2.99
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- $2.99
Publisher Description
A guide to saving a fortune while saving the Earth, from the author of Homegrown & Handmade.
Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. Our grandmothers knew the importance of responsible, thrifty choices. But somewhere along the way we lost our way and succumbed to the belief that we can get everything for next to nothing, have it shipped halfway around the world and then—more often than not—just throw it away.
This consumer binge is taking its toll. Diet and lifestyle-related illnesses are epidemic, our environment is awash in a sea of plastic, our climate is changing, and the cost of everything is skyrocketing with the price of oil. Are we doomed? No. We can make greener, healthier choices, and we can do it while saving money.
Where to start? Ecothrifty is packed with simple, practical ideas and recipes to help you:
· Make homemade products for cleaning and skin care
· Grow your own food and cook more from scratch
· Raise your family without lowering your standards
A must-read for anyone who has ever wanted to live a greener life but thought that it would be too expensive, time-consuming, or difficult, this handy, complete guide will show you how small changes can have a huge environmental impact and save you thousands of dollars, all while improving your quality of life.
"I support and endorse this wonderful book, 100%!" —Ed Begley, Jr., actor and environmentalist
"Her advice does not come across as self-righteous or preachy, but more like insider tips from an experienced do-it-yourselfer." —Publishers Weekly
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Following her eco-friendly debut, Homegrown and Handmade: A Practical Guide to More Self-Reliant Living, self-sufficiency expert Niemann focuses now on practical ways to be green while saving money through informed consumer choices, such as how to avoid buying toxic products or their expensive alternatives (e.g., making laundry detergent with washing soda, borax, and soap) to reducing environmental harm and support personal health. In every chapter, from food to home to transportation, Niemann includes recipes or other straightforward guidance, along with cost comparisons, to make her ideas accessible and seemingly easy to implement. Because she covers so much territory, some ideas are bound to pique readers' interest, whether wine- or soap-making, gardening, bread baking, or clothes swapping parties. A homesteader herself, Niemann does not forgo technology when it provides the cleanest and cheapest option. She acknowledges, for instance, that using a reel mower for lawn care may not be practical for large lawns or busy people, and so she describes the differences between electric- and gas-powered options. Likewise, in her chapter on free stuff, Niemann discusses foraging in parks as well as foraging online. Small testimonials sprinkled throughout the book complement Niemann's encouraging tone, so that her advice does not come across as self-righteous or preachy, but more like insider tips from an experienced do-it-yourselfer. Photos.
