1001 Easy Ways for Earth-Wise Living

1001 Easy Ways For Earth-Wise Living Natural and eco-friendly ideas that can make a real difference to your life.

Many people are becoming aware of just what an adverse effect many of our modern lifestyle practices are having on the earth... and just how fragile our planet is.

Some of our actions have caused ecosystem destruction, species extinction and health concerns.

Before it is too late for even more of our precious natural resources, we need to carefully look at the ways we personally add to these problems and what steps we can take- on an individual level- to become more Earth Wise in our daily lives.

To find ways to step more lightly on the planet.

1001 Easy Ways For Earth-Wise Living is an amazing resource for just this venture.

Published by Reader's Digest, it is the usual high quality, comprehensive publication that you would expect from them.

This book introduces us to what earth-wise living is, what the benefits are and how to go about making changes. It then proceeds with sections of information for the changes we can make in each area of our lives.

The first section is called The Natural Home. This is divided down further into segments:

• Efficient Living discusses energy efficient homes, insulation, heating and cooling, lighting, and water -wise living.
• Room By Room takes us through each room in the house, with environmentally friendly ideas for appliances, water use and recycling.
• Building and Renovating introduces us to energy efficient and earth-wise ways to build, including materials, efficiency ideas and solutions to common problems.

Strawbale Building Technique

The next section is Around The Home: 

• Earth-Wise Cleaning introduces us to greener cleaning materials for each room and situation, and even some great "recipes" to make our own.
• Waste Watch discusses reducing, reusing and recycling in the home.
• Household Pests shows us how to discourage and banish pests from our homes, the most environmentally friendly ways possible.
• Caring for Your Pet introduces homemade pet foods, natural remedies, dealing with pet pests such as fleas and the benefits of exercise and play for your pet... and you!

The Healthy Body is the next section: 

• Eating Well covers the benefits of fresh food, organic food, preserving and storage, freezing and some great recipes. It also discusses food additives and label checking.
• Nutrition Basics talks about balanced diets, the importance of fruits and vegetables, energy boosters and developing healthy eating habits.
• Exercise For Life tells us how to get fit, aerobic exercise, strength training, non-impact exercise and suggestions for getting a good night's sleep.

Feeling Well follows: 

• Looking Good discusses understanding and caring for your skin, hair and body, including cleansing, toning and moisturising, with lots of earth friendly recipes for making your own products.
• Holistic Health introduces natural therapies, healing, coping with modern life and relaxation.
• Natural Remedies covers feeling good, treating minor ailments, aches and pains, more serious health conditions, plus health for women and the older body, and some earth-wise medicines.

Earth-Wise Gardening is next, for all of you with "green thumbs": 

• Working With Nature discusses going organic, companion planting, natives, wildlife attracting gardens and low maintenance strategies.
• Garden Basics covers mulch, compost, fertilising, irrigation and water-wise design.
• Planting Guide goes into creating various kinds of gardens, such as vegetable patches, herb gardens, flowers for beds and borders, plants for fragrance and foliage and lawns and grasses.
• Dealing With Problems delves into keeping weeds under control, garden pests (insects and 2 or 4 legged), garden chemicals and generally keeping your garden healthy.

The last section Out and About looks into impacts further afield: 

• Buying Power talks about the power of our purchasing choices and how to shop environmentally. Eco smart shopping tips for personal products, fabrics, and other household products and items. It also discusses ethical investing and expenditure.
• On The Road gives tips for choosing and using a vehicle to be as environmentally friendly as possible, including emission reduction and earth-wise maintenance. Also discussed is using public transport and bicycles.
• Travelling Light covers travelling away from home, on holiday and adventures. Walking holidays and eco aware travel tips are included.

Following these major sections is a Resources guide which gives details of lots of interesting websites with green eco smart information, categorised in their particular area of interest eg Cleaning, building, environment, recycling, water.

A comprehensive index helps navigate your way through the substantial information in this book, which is useful as it is 335 pages long.

Altogether, this is a marvellous collection of tips, hints, ideas, recipes and discussion about lessening our impact and giving planet Earth a chance at regeneration.

I recommend it highly to everyone who cares and wants to make a personal difference...

and leave a better, healthier, sustainable future for our children.

 ISBN: 978-192107736-4