Green Tea Living: A Japan-Inspired Guide to Eco-friendly Habits, Health, and Happiness

by Toshimi A. Kayaki, Miyuki Matsuo (Illustrator)

Starting with the notion that some traditions—like drinking green tea for health and mental acuity—embody timeless wisdom for living, Toshimi A. Kayaki offers dozens of wise old Japanese ways for improving how you look and feel while respecting nature and the environment. Carry your own pair of chopsticks, wear five-toe socks, eat salty plums, use rice water as floor wax, do “eco-laundry,” and always set aside 10 percent for savings . . . you get the idea. By leading a “green tea life,” you’ll help yourself and the planet.

Toshimi A. Kayaki, born and raised in Japan, now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and has published twenty-two books on women’s and cross-cultural issues.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Japan, Japanese Literature, Lifestyle, Health

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2009

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very quick, enjoyable little book.

[Minh Minh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title in Vietnamese: Sống Xanh Như Những Lá Trà

Bạn có thể dùng bã trà để tẩy rửa vết bẩn của rất nhiều thứ một cách hiệu quả như lau dọn nhà bếp, chùi rửa các vật dụng, quét rác ở các góc nhà,... hay khử mùi tủ lạnh bằng một gói bã trà hoặc bã cà phê nhỏ,...

Bạn có thể chăm sóc cây một cách rất "green" như: tưới cây bằng nước vo gạo, nước luộc trứng, bón cây bằng vụn vỏ trứng, hoặc đuổi rệp bằng sữa tươi, đuổi kiến bằng bã cà phê,...

Hay xây dựng đời sống tinh thần với trà, bằng những phương pháp "rất Nhật Bản".

Đó là những điều hay ho bạn có thể lượm lặt được từ Sống Xanh Như Những Lá Trà. Có những thứ khá dễ dàng và đơn giản nên khi được biết đến, mình khá là phấn khích, đặc biệt là một đứa "nuôi một bầy cây" và bắt rệp mỗi sáng như mình :).

Vì chỉ đơn thuần là cung cấp kiến thức, tips nên có thể đọc khá nhanh, và đọc lướt. Vì vậy mà chỉ 2 buổi trưa tranh thủ giờ ăn trưa ghé nhà sách đọc mà mình đã "done ✔️" SXNNLT.

Nếu bạn muốn tìm một cuốn sách fresh đầu óc sau khi vừa nghiền ngẫm một tiểu thuyết nặng đô hay cho một ngày đẹp trời nhẹ nhàng thì nên mang bạn ấy về kệ nhé!

[Denise みか Hutchins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid three-star book for me. A little good, a little meh, but not mind-blowing or super terrible, either. A bit too much of the advice was overly specific (like saving green tea leaves to detail one's bathroom) or sensational (claims about beauty improvements were way too good to be true) and left a morning talk-show aftertaste, but there were a few gems I picked out, too. Using vinegar as fabric softener blew my mind (seems to depend on the type of fabric; some items were the same as ever, but others ended up delightfully plushy!) and the idea of using orange peels in bath water is definitely something I'm going to try. The book was a quick and easy read too, so even though it's not the kind of thing I'd read again, I don't feel like my time was much wasted.

[hiromi · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.6
This is definitely a light read for anyone who interests in alter their lifestyle to a “greener” aspect. The author gives a lot of helpful guides to not just the green living we know, "recycle things", but also introduce us into the household habits, beauty tips, de-stress routine and financial managing of the Japanese. Though, I find this book to be lacking in the sense. It does present to readers the green lifestyle of the Japanese culture but does not go in-depth on why and how the culture originated (i wish it did). If audiences were to be more interested in Japanese culture, this would just be an introduction. I also hope it talks more on the emotional side of green living, in which I mean the spirit of this practice. Overall, it is an enjoyable book that eases your heart and encourages you to thrive for a healthier lifestyle.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Definitely interesting and a quick, nice read! Wouldn’t recommend all of it, but there were a few ideas I am definitely eager to try out. For anyone who is interested in the Japanese way of living or Japanese eco-friendly alternatives, this will be an interesting book. I will definitely continue to wash my clothes in the washing machine and not do it by hand for example (and I don’t have a dryer, so hanging clothes outside/up to try is something I‘be always done anyway), but there are a few things worth considering, especially what you can do with used green tea leaves!

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

I find Japanese lifestyle books enjoyable and this book was an easy read. Many of the tips were quite familiar and I disagree with some of the points in this book - like holding onto all your husband's and kids clothing when the kids have already become adults and have adult children of their own. Yes, you can use some clothes as rags but do we really need that many old clothes cluttering our houses. This is reminiscent of India from 70s-80s.

[Skye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always on the lookout on how to live lighter, and this book is great for tips and reminders on how to :) Quick, light-hearted reading for anyone who has the slightest intention to live light, be more eco-friendly and more intentional about life!

[Juli Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

More of a novelty than anything, but sweet.

[Nathan Scheer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've actually done some farmer myself of tea with a friend, kabuseicha... but this really holds true to what I know and confirmed much of some things I was thinking about tea in Japan.

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book (again) in my favorite, secret store. Forgot I'd seen it before. It's got plenty of good ideas and tips (many of which I dare say I already do...) and I'll put lots (more) of them into practice.

Cute. Actual good tips in here from saving money to laundry advice to facials.
I read this standing in the aisle at my favorite bookstore in Little Tokyo. I was thinking about buying it but then I thought once I read it, it probably wouldn't be necessary to re-read it. Then I got home and forgot everything I read that was useful. So I think I'll go back and buy this.
(Oh. I remember something: squeeze lemon juice into white laundry and let it soak in order to remove yellowy stains.)

[Chantelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It held a lot of little tips to help you save money and re-purpose things. I'll be living on my own soon, so it will be great to be able to put some of these tips into action to save me money and allow me to live healthier! A great starting point to delve into this topic, however, if you want something a little more in depth then I suggest another book, because while it did hold a lot of interesting tips, it only held six or seven ideas for each section.

[Lynne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Much like the Japanese cooking class I took a few years ago, I had already read and practiced so much on the subject that this was a disappointment. But for someone whose interest in Japanese culture is just beginning, this would be a useful introduction.

[Toshi Antram · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was great book!
I learned a lot about Japanease culture old ways and green life

[Natalie (CuriousReader) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the "geisha beauty" chapter very interesting, as well as the food section. Although it was interesting, I'd hoped for a more diet-focused book when I picked this up.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the Japanese grandmother you always wanted. Tons of tips on how to be healthy and happy, plus how to do your laundry, eat well, and balance your finances.

[Sweetmongoose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. Charming. Nice picures. A library book experience. Light.