Sustainable Home

In light of concerns about food and human health, fraying social ties, economic uncertainty, and rampant consumerism, some people are foregoing a hurried, distracted existence and embracing a mindful way of living. Intentional residential communities across the United States are seeking the freedom to craft their own societies and live based on the values of nonviolence, self-sufficiency, equality, and voluntary simplicity.

From the bedroom mattress and pillows to daily cleaning products for the kitchen and bath, toothbrushes, and even furniture and clothing, toxins are embedded in many products and items used regularly in the home—and they are making us sick. Home Detox is a practical, accessible guide to understanding the problem and how we can address it in our own homes in a manageable and affordable way. Daniella Chace, a professional toxicologist and health writer, teaches listeners how to identify potential toxins, with an easy-to-follow, room-by-room evaluation.

Shedding her possessions and stripping back life to the basics, Charlotte Bradman used the last of her savings to buy a campervan...a creaky, old van with no loo or onboard water. It was the best thing she ever did. Come along on this moving ride as Charlotte finds true stability and security, learning that all she needs is a recharging van battery, a dry bed, and an unspoilt sea view. Self-confessional, observational and darkly humorous, this is an engrossing and inspirational story of resilience and fortitude.

What happens to our trash? Why are our oceans filling with plastic? Do we really waste 40 percent of our food and 65 percent of our energy? Waste is truly our biggest problem, and solving our inherent trashiness can fix our economy, our energy costs, our traffic jams, and help slow climate change—all while making us healthier, happier and more prosperous. This story-driven and in-depth exploration of the pervasive yet hard-to-see wastefulness that permeates our daily lives illuminates the ways in which we've been duped into accepting absolutely insane levels of waste as normal.

Get ready for a refreshing and unique take on preparedness. This essential guide is for regular people who want to handle disaster situations confidently, without digging a network of underground bunkers stockpiled with weaponry.

The Power of Dreams tells the story of a couple, already in their 40s, who uprooted themselves from urban life to follow their dream of living in the wilderness. They settled in a remote mountain valley called Precipice Valley, part of the ancient trade route linking B.C.’s Chilcotin plateau to the Pacific Coast. These are the stories of how the two of them designed and hand-built a solar-powered, two-story post-and-beam house while learning to live off-grid and in harmony with nature.

Are you transitioning to off-grid boondocking, know you need a solar system, but you're scared as heck to get started? Building a mobile off-grid solar system can be intimidating to most beginners. Trust me, I used a portable generator for the first couple of years of van life. But understanding the basic principles of off-the-grid solar power can probably save your life if you start connecting wires before you understand what they all do.

Do you want to plant once and get crops over and over again? Learn the fundamentals of perennial plants with techniques and methods to start growing them right away! Simple techniques to planting and caring for perennial plants! Whether you just want to learn more about how to grow organic perennial plants or already understand it and want extra help becoming a perennial planting expert, this book is for you. So don't delay it any longer.

You’re not alone. Every beginner faces challenges, but with the right knowledge, success is within reach. Welcome to the world of Companion Planting—a natural, cost-effective way to maximize your garden’s potential!

Growing up in an ex-mining town in Nottinghamshire, Arthur Parkinson never wanted a dog, or a cat, or a pony - just hens. As a kid, he was known as 'chicken boy', a taunt Arthur now proudly reclaims with his crested coterie that includes countless hens, from Sheila the white Silkie to Clarissa the champagne-coloured Buff Cochin. A personal and humorous memoir of Arthur's life amongst his hens, this is an invitation to discover the joy that is only possible in the company of these intriguing creatures.

Imagine yourself coming home from a long day's work expecting to see your room clean and your bed inviting. However, to your dismay, upon opening your room's door, you saw your son playing with his toys scattered all over the floor and your daughter playing with her dolls on your bed. What do you think would you do? More often than not, there is this tendency to get angry at them for causing a mess.

Discover how to cultivate a thriving garden - even if you have no space or experience. Convinced you've got two brown thumbs? Absolutely certain that gardening is a skill you're either born with or you’re not? Think again. Gardening usually conjures up images of sprawling backyards and hours of weeding, tending and harvesting - a hobby that's only available to those who have the time and space to spare. In today's world, that couldn't be farther from the truth. In fact, it’s easier and more accessible to get started with gardening than it’s ever been before.

Are you drowning in clutter? Do you dread opening your cupboards because of the mess that awaits inside? Are you ready to sort out your house for good and discover a happier, calmer you? In this audiobook, Nicola will arm you with the tools you need to clean and clear your home. With a step-by-step, room-by-room plan to get rid of clutter, recipes for natural, eco-friendly cleaning products and tips on upcycling your household items, housework and organising have never been this easy!

In the 1970s, Dolly Freed lived off the land dirt cheap and plum easy. Living in their own house on a half-acre lot outside of Philadelphia for almost five years, Dolly and her father produced their own food and drink and spent roughly $700 each per year. Thirty years later Dolly Freed's Possum Living is as fascinating and pertinent as it was in 1978. Tin House is reissuing the survivalist classic with a foreword by David Gates and an afterword by the author.

In How to Be Alive, Beavan shares his insights on finding the path that's right for you. Drawing on everything from classic literature and philosophy to current science, and combining that with his own experiences alongside those of the many people he has met along the way, Colin explores a broad array of transformational lifestyle adjustments - small and large - that offer security and meaning in a world confronted by ecological crises, economic upheaval, and ongoing war and social injustice.

Master sustainable living—achieve self-sufficiency without breaking the bank, even if you're starting from scratch! Do you dream of transforming your living space into a thriving homestead but feel overwhelmed by where to start? Imagine the joy of growing your own food, the satisfaction of harvesting rainwater, and the peace of mind from energy independence—all within your reach. The Practical Guide to Homesteading is your roadmap to achieving this transformation, bringing you affordable, step-by-step strategies for living sustainably off-grid, catered specifically to beginners.

Huw Richards set himself a challenge - to grow his own fruit and veg for free for a year. He succeeded, and now wants to help you do the same. Can't afford a raised bed? Try repurposing an old wooden pallet. Don't want to spend money on buying plants? Look in the fridge and your kitchen cupboards for food that you can plant. Need a particular tool? Barter or borrow from a neighbour. Don't have a garden? See if someone in your area has an untended patch you can turn into a well-loved veg plot.

Written for novice and experienced DIY enthusiasts, this is an A-to-Z guide to ensure your success in turning a plain shipping container into a beautiful home.

For thousands of years, mending was a deep craft that has for too long been a secret history. But now it's back, bigger and better than ever. In this book, Kate Sekules introduces the art of visible mending as part of an important movement to give fashion back its soul. Part manifesto, part how-to, Mend! calls for bold new ways of keeping clothes and refreshing your style.

Saving Seeds, Preserving Taste will introduce listeners to the cultural traditions associated with seed saving, as well as the remarkable people who have used grafting practices and hand-by-hand trading to keep alive varieties that would otherwise have been lost. As local efforts to preserve heirloom seeds have become part of a growing national food movement.