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28th out of 208 books
—
122 voters
A Slice of Organic Life
Featuring over 90 self-contained projects, from growing your own food organically, cooking home-grown produce, keeping selected livestock, and leading a more sustainable lifestyle, this down-to-earth, yet practical guide is the perfect start for someone looking to go "green." The team of experts offer options for city dwellers with little space, for those living in the sub...more
Hardcover, 352 pages
Published
June 4th 2007
by DK Publishing (Dorling Kindersley)
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At first I was disappointed by this book because I thought it was going to have more narrative to it--more non-fiction informational writing. It's more like an art-heavy how-to book full of little projects for living an organic life. My other mistake was getting it at the library. If you want this book to be helpful, you need to buy it. There are other books to read that explain why these projects are better for the world (i.e., why you should plant a garden. etc,), but if you are already commit...more
I can't recall what triggered this, but my newest "obsession" is to turn my backyard into a kind of homestead. Thus, I placed every book about gardening/organic living on hold at the library.
After reading this book, I find myself daydreaming about how the pet pig could be kept over here, the chickens in that corner of the yard, the pond under the grape arbor, the bee house-thingy over next to the apple orchard, and on and on. This is not actually going to happen (obviously), but reading this bo...more
After reading this book, I find myself daydreaming about how the pet pig could be kept over here, the chickens in that corner of the yard, the pond under the grape arbor, the bee house-thingy over next to the apple orchard, and on and on. This is not actually going to happen (obviously), but reading this bo...more
I noticed this book on a shelf at the East Regional Durham library and I just had to check it out. This book is a quick read with lots of beautiful photography. Every 2-4 pages give tips on various topics including gardening, making natural cleaning products, saving energy, growing fruits/veggies in containers, and raising chickens, geese, ducks, and pigs to name a few.
I especially liked the tips on container gardening. Did you know that you can grow strawberries or cherry tomatoes in hanging b...more
I especially liked the tips on container gardening. Did you know that you can grow strawberries or cherry tomatoes in hanging b...more
Aug 27, 2012
L-Isabella Conner
added it
e more mindful of the planet, the available resources and things as a whole to be done to change, this book enters.
The ideas presented are simple, almost like 'Why haven't I been doing this already?' and 'Why didn't I think of this?'.
There's ideas for growing your own vegetables, herbs and fruits, instead of buying from a grocery chain, and of course if you buy, try to buy organic & local. Like animals? Why not raise chickens, or milking cows, even goats, which are a source of meat and milk...more
The ideas presented are simple, almost like 'Why haven't I been doing this already?' and 'Why didn't I think of this?'.
There's ideas for growing your own vegetables, herbs and fruits, instead of buying from a grocery chain, and of course if you buy, try to buy organic & local. Like animals? Why not raise chickens, or milking cows, even goats, which are a source of meat and milk...more
At first glance one might see this book as nothing more than a coffee table book with it's many glossy pictures. Happily the text is worth the read and wonderfully full of easy to use/do ways of giving your life a fresh feel. Again and again one hears the voice of experience in the many suggestions. So much information so beautifully presented makes this book a keeper.
Jul 23, 2007
Meredith
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
the sustainability-conscious
Shelves:
natural-world
This book is great - it has a little bit about everything! Learn how to grow your own strawberries, collect rainwater, repel mosquitoes, shop for better-tasting veggies, and so on.
Thoroughly enjoyed. Quite practically arranged in sections for those with NO outdoor space to those with plenty and the increasing steps (the little things add up) to achieving some sustainability (even in the city!)
A great reference book I will be hanging onto for the 'someday' when I have a yard and the now when I want to start microgreens at the very least.
A few things could have been more clearly explained; perhaps any lack of clarity was due to the fact that this was originally written for...more
A great reference book I will be hanging onto for the 'someday' when I have a yard and the now when I want to start microgreens at the very least.
A few things could have been more clearly explained; perhaps any lack of clarity was due to the fact that this was originally written for...more
The idea of this book is to give lots of ideas, no matter your living arrangements, for ways to make your life more "organic," broadly defined. I would say about half of these ideas are either "plant X" or "raise X animal." Animals the book suggests you raise: chickens, geese, ducks, pigs, goats, cows. W. T. F. Also, one suggestion is to "forage for fungi" (aka wild mushrooms). I'm all for this, but only with proper education, since unlike raising ducks, messing up while foraging for mushrooms c...more
I first saw this book in a book shop in Memphis I thought it was so cool that I made a mental note of the title and decided on getting it later. Later came about a month ago. It came in the mail and I was so excited! This book has everything! There is gardening advice for every size patch of land, from a window box to a farm. There is information on raising all kinds of animals; goats, pigs, chickens, cows, ducks, bees & geese… it covers the spectrum. There are recipes, eco living tips, upcy...more
This book is lovely, with beautiful pictures throughout. It says a little about a lot of different topics, so is a good introduction if you are considering trying to live a more self-sufficient life. There are chapters about beginning raising chickens, goats, and other animals. There are chapters about gardening, making your own baby foods, and so forth. There are also some recipes included (bread, jam). It's a little too basic for anyone who has already been engaged in these activities though,...more
This batter made one dozen muffins, and a day later there is none left. The best part is, they are all natural. Not a drop of sugar! They taste sooooooo good too!
I think this is the best muffin recipe ever, and has the parts to be adapted for any fruit, so if you hate the flavors I used, you can do what you like. The recipe I used was actually Blueberry Muffins, but I adapted it to what I wanted.
Definitely a take home cookbook for any one of today. We all need to learn to eat and live better, th...more
I think this is the best muffin recipe ever, and has the parts to be adapted for any fruit, so if you hate the flavors I used, you can do what you like. The recipe I used was actually Blueberry Muffins, but I adapted it to what I wanted.
Definitely a take home cookbook for any one of today. We all need to learn to eat and live better, th...more
This is not your soup to nuts "organic living 101" by any means. It is merely an inspiration for you or for someone that likes being green (as everyone should these days!). I received this book as a gift and I ended up buying it for someone else as a gift because it gave me ideas. The gorgeous pictures paired with bite-sized ideas made me happy and I knew it would make someone else happy as well.
There are tips inside for anyone regardless of where you live. Some of the things will seem far out...more
There are tips inside for anyone regardless of where you live. Some of the things will seem far out...more
I've upped my review to four stars because I've decided there really are some good ideas here. However, what I said before about there being better, more in-depth books on the individual topics addressed in this book holds. Check this out from the library. Still, I can't wait to try oven-dried cherry tomatos, and I think this book clarified that I do NOT want to keep a cow.
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I'm dabbling in this for about ten minutes before bed every night...more
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I'm dabbling in this for about ten minutes before bed every night...more
I LOVE this book. So much, I have added it to the list of books that I want to buy and own and have at my house. She has simple ideas to more complicated, ideas for small spaces and large spaces, tips on growing things, making your own cleaning products, recipes ... so many fabulous things. This would be a great book for ANYONE I think. I highly recommend it!
This is a gorgeous book, full page pictures plants, receipes, advice on how to be a responsible gardener. I curl up with it whenever I want to dream of a beautiful garden. Any gardener who wants to enjoy gardening more needs to read and enjoy this book. This is one to buy so you pick off the shelf and enjoy whenever you want.
Organized in the most bizarre way. One page on foraging for wild greens, then one on natural skin care, then one on how to keep chickens. ??? It's basically a fun, thick magazine. None of the topics go in-depth and I would fear for any chickens that were purchased with the intent use this book as a manual. ;)
A lovely book with nice pictures about various things you can do to live more sustainably, from raising a chicken to growing greens in a windowbox. Obviously, not every idea is for everyone, but I did get some inspiration from it, and since it only dedicates a page or two to each topic, it gives a very simplified version of how to do what it suggests, making it seem quite manageable. Some topics that I've had interest in before seem so unwieldy, like making my own jam, but this book simplifies i...more
Beautiful photos and a good overview of various activities such as gardening, natural personal care &cleaning. Could use more depth of details particulary in topics of natural care. Would have also like to see more coverage about reducing wasting and making time to unplug and experience life/ nature.
If I had to choose only one book to keep about maintaining a sustainable lifestyle (everything from growing an indoor herb garden to raising a goat), this would be it. It has beautiful color photographs and easy-to-understand articles, and offers more ways than you can imagine to maintain a green lifestyle.
Beautiful pictures, absolutely no continuity. One page chickens, the next growing strawberries. Very hard to follow what the message is. Great tidbits, but again there are many other books that go into great detail about the items covered in here giving better direction and guidance.
I picked this up because, I looked like it would be perfect for the person/family with a little bit of land who wanted to be more self-sufficient. I like many of the ideas--but I don't have that little piece of land yet!
Really nice setup, this book has suggestions for more green living, organized very practically into three sections of feasibility: "no need for a garden", "roof terrace, patio or tiny garden", and "garden, allotment or field".
Another resource that I open up constantly, whether its about reminding me how to can or coming up with a new idea for an homesteading option, this book's got the answers.
Nov 11, 2007
Cherie
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
environmentalists, those who want to change their lives but don't know it yet
Shelves:
non-fiction
B I enjoyed this book immensely, although so much of it was geared towards people with lots of land, lots of time, and yes, some money. Some good recipes, great tips, how-tos (such as how to compost, how to grow herbs). As I live in an apartment with only a fire escape for outdoor growing (and I'm pretty sure all the herbs and flowers I have out there are some sort of fire code violation!) so a lot of this book was not applicable towards me. Still, it is a great start, especially for those who a...more
I really fun read ... if your into farming, gardening, and living sustainably. Beautiful glossy photos with plenty of how-to instructions
It was ok. Mostly I don't think I'll ever do any of this stuff but it's fun to fantasize about.
A nice overview of the many options available to live a responsible and aware life.
Very pretty book, but a little slim on the actual information side of things.
I love this book. The picture are beautiful and the tips helpful.
A great first reference for those looking for an Organic Life.
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