Ecothrifty: Cheaper, Greener Choices for a Happier, Healthier Life

by Deborah Niemann

Overview

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

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781550925104
Publisher:	New Society Publishers
Publication date:	12/15/2020
Series:	Mother Earth News Books for Wiser Living
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	213
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Deborah Niemann is a homesteader, writer and self-sufficiency expert who presents extensively on topics including soapmaking, breadbaking, cheesemaking, composting and homeschooling. The author of Homegrown and Handmade: A Practical Guide to More Self-Reliant Living, she and her family produce all of their own meat, eggs, and dairy products, by raising sheep, pigs, cattle, goats, chickens, and turkeys, while an organic garden and orchard provide fruit and vegetables.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Foreword
Introduction

Chapter 1 — Personal Care Products
Basics
Creams and moisturizers
Soaps
Scrubs
Toners
Shampoo
Dental hygiene
Deodorant and antiperspirant
Shaving
Feminine products

Chapter 2 — Health and Fitness
Drugs
Alternatives
Herbal supplements
Exercise

Chapter 3 — Babies
Breastfeeding
Diapers
Wipes
Powder and cream
Food
Walkers

Chapter 4 — Clothing
How many clothes?
Used versus new
Sewing
Second life for old clothes

Chapter 5 — Food
Planning
Getting food
Keeping food
Cooking food
Cereals
Eggs
Pancakes and biscuits
Yogurt
Beans
Bread
Casseroles
Pasta Salads
Potatoes
Soups
Stretching meat
Desserts
Snacks
Drinks
Beyond food

Chapter 6 — Home
Air fresheners
Appliances
Cleaning
Laundry
Light bulbs
Heating and cooling
Furniture

Chapter 7 — Gardening
Small spaces
Container gardening
Edible landscapes
Community gardens
Saving seeds
Composting
Lawns

Chapter 8 — Entertainment
Hobbies
Music
Books
Computers
Celebrations
Picnics

Chapter 9 — Transportation
Car sharing
Carpooling
Ecothrifty driving
New or used

Chapter 10 — Free or Practically Free
Bartering
Learning
Repurposing and reusing
Foraging

Final Thoughts
Bibliography
Notes
Recipe Index
Index
About the Author

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"I support & endorse this wonderful book, 100%."
—Ed Begley, Jr. Actor / Environmentalist

" If you care about the future of the Earth and her ecosystems and want to make a difference, pick up a copy of this book and read it cover to cover. You're in for a treat! This book is chock-full of valuable information that could change your lifestyle and help create a sustainable world. Ecothrifty should be required reading for every citizen of the world."
—Dan Chiras, Director, The Evergreen Institute, and author of The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy , and Power from the Sun
evergreeninstitute.org

"Those of us embarking on the journey of consuming less and enjoying ourselves more desperately need guidebooks, and Deborah Niemann has written one for us. Ecothrifty leads us gently down the path of changing the way we think about what we buy. I hope you will find this book the beginning of your engagement in a global movement to create a family life that is rich and abundant while sitting lighter on the planet that holds us all."
—Kathy Harrison, from the Foreword

Editorial Reviews

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.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

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. - Publishers Weekly review

I support & endorse this wonderful book, 100%. – Ed Begley, Jr. Actor / Environmentalist

Those of us embarking on the journey of consuming less and enjoying ourselves more desperately need guidebooks, and Deborah Niemann has written one for us. Ecothrifty leads us gently down the path of changing the way we think about what we buy. I hope you will find this book the beginning of your engagement in a global movement to create a family life that is rich and abundant while sitting lighter on the planet that holds us all. – Kathy Harrison, from the Foreword

If you care about the future of the Earth and her ecosystems and want to make a difference, pick up a copy of this book and read it cover to cover. You’re in for a treat! This book is chock-full of valuable information that could change your lifestyle and help create a sustainable world. Ecothrifty should be required reading for every citizen of the world.

Dan Chiras, Director, The Evergreen Institute, and author of The Homeowner’s Guide to Renewable Energy , and Power from the Sun evergreeninstitute.org

From the Publisher