What does it mean to "downshift"? Why is it now imperative that millions of people begin moving towards a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle? If you, too, are to join this worldwide effort to create a different sort of world, when should you start? How should you set about it? Might you need to move house in order to live more sustainably, and if so, to where? And, to whom can you turn for advice and guidance? This easy-to-read guidebook, by an author,...

Have you ever wondered what is it like to live without a car? I did. While my first experiences in car free living sprung from adversity they made me wonder: can you really live without a car in Small Town America? I researched car free living and made a sobering discovery. All of the books written on the subject covered larger cities and glossed over any potential pitfalls to the experience. I made a vow to correct this. There needed to be an honest...

"This book describes the basics of the Stirling engine, as well as some of the most promising alternative models, how to go about building them and how they can be used to generate power for home use. Home power generation is not new. You can buy home generator kits and solar panels by the ton. The main problem is they cost so much. The Stirling is astonishingly easy to make and can be built from scrap or commonly found components at a fraction of...

"Apivar Miticide Application Instructions for Treatments of Varroa Mites on Honey Bees in Bee Hives is a simple, step-by-step method of applying the newest miticide for beekeepers to combat varroa mites. Varroa mites are likely the primary cause of a host of problems, including CCD or Colony Collapse Disorder, the strangely mysterious disappearance of honey bees."--

"Arguing that global warming is the biggest problem facing humanity today, this well-illustrated handbook seeks to reduce the heavy tread of the human race's impact upon the planet. Using a tool called the ecological footprint, it estimates the resources that an individual consumes compared with the amount that nature can sustain. Most importantly, this examination debunks the myth that green living is not for everyone by detailing simple, practical,...

"This is the inspirational story of how one couple ditched their careers and high-pressure life in New York City to move to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, where they made, built, invented, foraged, and grew all they needed to live self-sufficiently, discovering a new sense of value and abundance in the process. Alongside their personal story are tips and tutorials to guide readers in the discovery of a fulfilling new lifestyle that relies less...

Making your own soap is fun, easy, and rewarding. In this introductory guide, Susan Miller Cavitch shows you how to craft your own all-natural, wonderfully smelling soaps. Illustrated directions take you through the whole process, from buying supplies to cutting the final bars. With easy-to-follow recipes that range from classics like oatmeal and honey soap to more adventurous combinations using goat milk and borage, you’ll be inspired to make...

Did you know that, on average, 30% of energy consumed in buildings is used unnecessarily or inefficiently? BarCharts' Going Green guide features an introduction to green building and offers many low-cost solutions for making your home or building more sustainable. Going Green, complete with handy illustrations, diagrams, and charts, covers affordable options for conserving water, harvesting rainwater, installing a solar water heater, and choosing...

The pure luxury of soaps made with coconut butter, almond oil, aloe vera, oatmeal, and green tea is one of life's little pleasures. And with the help of author Anne-Marie Faiola, it's easy to make luscious, all-natural soaps right in your own kitchen. This collection of 32 recipes ranges from simple castile bars to intricate swirls, embeds, and marbled and layered looks. Begin with a combination of skin-nourishing oils and then add blueberry puree,...

"Jenna Woginrich's inspiring journey from city cubicle to rural homestead has captivated readers of her blog and previous books. Now, in One-Woman Farm, Woginrich shares the joys, sorrows, trials, epiphanies, and blessings she discovers during a year spent farming on her own land, finding deep fulfillment in the practical tasks and timeless rituals of the agricultural life."--