Mother Earth News

I almost feel like sharing this resource is cheating. Mother Earth News has been THE resource for "back-to-the-landers" since anyone thought of going back to the land. I think the staying power of this magazine lies in its coverage of practical, earth conscious ideas and its ability to change and grow with the times.
Often the articles show larger than life projects that are beyond the scope of the average reader (for example extensive solar systems), but earthy types like to look at those and dream, much the way car lovers dream of Ferraris. The rest of the magazine is filled with practical articles for sustainable living. Since getting their start forty years ago, this magazine has provided countless suggestions and resources for preserving our earth and providing healthy lives for our families. In addition to the monthly magazine, the web resources for Mother Earth and the resources available for purchase provide enough reading material to last for several years. They even have digital versions of every publication from 1970 to 2010! Now that would be a great gift!
The interactive website hosts videos, blogs and articles in an easy to use, enjoyable format. Its one of the best that I have seen. Any possible natural living topic can be found through the search feature, though I recommend just looking around. I think you'll be hooked!
http://www.motherearthnews.com/

The Story of Stuff

Did you know that corporations in this country have the same rights as individuals? This means that they are essentially considered "people" in the eyes of the law. They have the same rights as you and I, but often not the same responsibilities (example: taxes). With this new "corporate person-hood", corporations are now able to contribute to political campaigns in the same way, and with as few limits as individuals.
This could explain why our laws allow the mass production and promotion of low quality, throw away stuff. Despite the rhetoric to the contrary, corporate interest lies first and foremost in the bottom line. Their primary purpose is to sell more stuff, at higher prices, with minimal overhead cost. This does not naturally lead to well made, last a lifetime, easier to repair than replace goods.
The problem is, we accept this. We continue to buy tons of stuff with out considering the long term economic, environmental and social impact of the stuff. Then when it breaks, is worn out or we are tired of it, we throw it away. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as "away". All that stuff goes somewhere and we are adding more all the time. Even worse, we allow corporations to continue to use sweat shop labor and low quality, unsafe materials to make more stuff, then spend twice what it cost to manufacture in advertising and lobbying to ensure that we are thoroughly convinced to buy said stuff.
Now is the time to break the chain. Become a contributer, not a consumer. Explore the politics of shopping and get outraged. Citizens have rights that go beyond low prices!

http://storyofstuff.org/index.php

Farming...

I don't have a hobby farm, but I'd like to some day. I could never be a large-scale commercial farmer, but a few chickens, a goat and a horse would make me hugely happy. So far, I just have gardens. So while I am still dreaming, I read. 

Hobby Farms magazine is a great mix of beautiful pictures and practical articles, just right for cold winter days wishing for spring. The articles discuss gardening, livestock, pasture and barn maintenance and technology. Some of the ideas are rare and costly, but most are realistic and practical, a feature that sets this publication apart from others like it. 

Hobby Farm Home is the companion magazine and it covers the overlapping topics of gardening, food preservations, crafting and cooking. Although these are domestic tasks, the focus in not too cute or flowery, instead providing practical advice for simple, attractive results. The appealing photography and realistic suggestions make both of these a great choice for anyone dreaming of a simple, self-sufficient lifestyle.

http://www.hobbyfarms.com/

The Trail

Who hasn't dreamed of hiking the Appalachian Trail? Its on my bucket list, for sure.
This is the tale of two middle aged men who decide to try to hike the whole trail in one season. They are out of shape and poorly equipped in every category but time and enthusiasm. Now, the reviews called this book "funny" and I did not laugh out loud, but I did appreciate the enormity of the task and the extreme amount that they were out of their depth. Subsisting on candy bars and noodles the men plod along, barely making progress, questioning themselves at every turn, but thoroughly enjoying the amazing natural beauty of the trail.
The highlight for me in this story were the descriptions of the trail its self. I loved reading how the flora and fauna changed as they progressed north, as well as the history of the trail. The author was honest about the rustic maps, shelters and supplies available as well as his discomfort and lack of enthusiasm for the task. Ultimately, the lofty goal of hiking the whole trail was amended as they discovered that covering less than half of the distance satisfied their sense of satisfaction. I think I understand. Sometimes, knowing you have put forth your best effort, even if you don't accomplish your original goal, is enough. Sometimes, trying is all that matters.
http://www.booksattransworld.co.uk/billbryson/

100 Things

How many things do you have? How many of them do you need? I know that I have WAY more stuff than I need, use or even really want. The challenge in this book is not so much about the number, but the need. As the author purges his things he lets go of the things he doesn't want, need, or use and subsequently discovers what he really values. 

Consider this, the fewer things you have the more you can enjoy each of them. Also, if you are only going to have one, it had better be really great. Take clothes, for example. If I got rid of all the clothes in my closet that don't fit, are worn out, or I don't like and replaced them with four or five high quality, comfortable, well-fitting items, I would feel more attractive, look better and have less stuff. ( I think I'll start today!) 

This lesson can apply to other areas. The author vows to have only one pencil. He buys one he really likes and uses it until it is gone. Just think of the drawers that could be emptied if we used this policy for all our little things!

Granted, he lives with his wife and children and so the communal items are not included in his purge. A whole family needs more than one hundred things. If I just purged the things that belong to me alone, the pile would be huge! I am embarrassed by the number of shoes, jeans and keepsakes that I never use but keep just in case. Hardest for me would be the mementos and books, things I enjoy emotionally and decoratively. I also hate to throw away perfectly good stuff, so finding a good charity to donate to is a must. Even with these obstacles, the exercise seems freeing. I think I'll give it a try! 

http://guynameddave.com/the-book/

Grow your own?

How much does it really cost to grow your own food? Once you get good at it and have established gardens the costs are pretty low, but for the novice gardener the tools, fertilizers, plant sets and dodads can really add up! Becoming a gardener has many ups and downs, pests invade, rain falls, or doesn't fall, and harvests are gathered. Through it all the author perseveres, and learns, among other things, that itemizing the actual cost of homegrown produce doesn't begin to show its' true value!

http://williamalexander.com/64dollartomato/default.cfm

Twelve by Twelve

Could you move into a twelve by twelve off grid cabin? Would you want to? Twelve by twelve is smaller than many American's bedrooms and a Walden-esque experience with no electricity is many people's worst nightmare.
For William Powers, it was an opportunity to reconnect with nature and to build a relationship with his own spirituality. Powers discovers where the line between needs and wants lies, and what it means to live lightly. This is his emotional journey through solitude to a balance of life. Having the opportunity to live a temporary life on the land is rare, Powers' neighbors struggle to make ends meet and not all make it in the permaculture lifestyle.
The experience leaves the author more at peace with his own life, but also cognizant of the self righteous deprivation to which proponents of permaculture and low impact living can fall prey. For those who choose this lifestyle, the competition can become fierce and it is easy to loose the humble connection to the earth in the quest for greater carbon offsets. We are reminded here that the spiritual connection to the land and the self awareness are as vital as the green details. Being in the moment is reward enough.

http://williampowersbooks.com/index.htm

Mary Jane's Farm

I started reading Mary Jane's Farm years ago. I loved that she had found a way to make prepackaged organic foods and was intrigued by the idea of a catalog that was also a magazine. Since then the Mary Jane's Farm organization has expanded to include books, products and even a club! While I don't participate in all these areas, I am impressed by the ingenuity show by the company founder and by her consistent focus on women as homemakers, farmers and family organizers.
The focus on simple, beautiful, organic and hand crafted items that are useful makes for an inspiring read. Some of the ideas are a little over the top for me, but sometimes that's the fun of it! If you are a "farm girl" or a farm girl at heart, this is the magazine for you.
http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

I started this book, fully intending to hate it. The publisher did a great PR job, taking the most inflammatory parts of the story and printing them out of context to create controversy. I saw the review and had to see what the fuss was all about, so, I started reading. This is not a parenting book, or even, really, an exploration of cultural differences so much as it is a biography and illustration of the author's love for her daughters.
Now, don't get me wrong, the woman is nuts. She goes overboard in so many areas and clearly misses signs from her family that she  is going much too far. At one point I wondered why her husband was still with her, then I realized that she was leaving out his contributions to the family. As she focused on her extreme practice requirements, she glossed over the fun family outings that her husband arranged. Clearly, its all about her.
As I read on, I started to see myself in Amy Chua. Extremely practical, type A personality that has no time for nonsense, indecision or second guessing: sounds a lot like me! I don't push my children the way she does, but I could, no doubt about it! I talk often with a friend of mine about the low expectations that we have of children and how a false sense of success with little or no effort does a huge disservice to them in the long run. It is better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all!
The thing I like best about the author though, is that even though she is critical of her children, she is even more critical of herself. She doesn't try to make the nasty, nagging, arguing and fighting seem justified or the high pressure easy to maintain. She says that she thought about giving in and allowing her daughters more freedom, but that it just felt like the wrong thing to do. She really seems to have raised her daughters in the way she felt was best for them, in the long run, not just the here and now.
In the end, of course, the author is humbled. She ultimately relaxes her control when faced with the potential loss of her second daughter. This is not a revelation for her or a change of heart. It felt like giving in and remains a struggle, but as any good parent knows, the easy decisions are not always the right ones.
So I say, give this book a try. Even as you disagree, you may see more of yourself than you expected and experience the proof that the love of a parent shows its self in mysterious ways.

Whole Earth

Once upon a time there was the Whole Earth Catalog. Conceived by Stewart Brand it was a resource book for the tools of living. Within its pages one could find hand tools, supplies, books and information, all presented in a do-it yourself manner, complete with product reviews and ordering information. 

As a member of the Merry Pranksters, Brand was on the edge of the psychedelic and technological mash-up that took place in the early '70's and this catalog has a fantastic mix of low tech, back-to-the-land resources and cutting edge technology. Since the advent of the internet, books as resource guides have gone out of fashion. There is one, however that seems to carry the Whole Earth torch.

From Storey publishing comes Country Wisdom and Know-How. Compiled from various other Storey publications this book is similar in format to the classic Whole Earth catalog. Lessons in raising animals, home repair and using wild resources are included with step-by-step directions and illustrations. Although resources and products are much easier to find now than 40 years ago, quality instructions for practical living are still at a premium. This resource book is a great place to start!

http://www.storey.com/index.php

Green America

It's not always easy being green. Some products are hard to find or the labels are misleading. I always buy recycled paper products and fair trade coffee, but I haven't even begun to investigate sweatshop free clothing. There never seems to be enough time for the research.
That's where Green America comes in. This book is a listing of "green" companies all of which have been independently verified to be socially and environmentally responsible. Food, gifts, clothing, household items and even travel are available, and listings are sorted by product as well as by location. Next time you need a new something, why not check these listings before heading out to the big box store? I know I will, in fact, I could use a new pair of jeans...
http://www.greenamerica.org/pubs/greenpages/

the balanced mom

Often when I pick up a book about being a mom, I put it right back down again. Books like this tend to be whiny, filled with strategies for forcing your partner to do what you want or plans for alone time. The upbeat ones recommend prayer and come complete with bible verses. Neither of these strategies appeal to my parenting style, so I tend to be leery. In this case, I was pleasantly surprised!
The focus of this book is on maintaining our selves while being the best possible parents and partners. In a family everyone needs to nurture their own interests and individuality while still contributing to the greater good; even mom. So, while it does advocate time alone, meditation and time with friends, this book suggests that all of those independent activities should serve to strengthen the family as a unit.
My grandmother once told me that when you are asked to do something that you really are not interested it, the best response is "I'm terribly sorry, I just can't". Too often we try to do everything, and end up unhappy and unable to really do anything to the best of our ability. I love that the author here advocates for more unstructured family time. She reminds us to live our values, which for most of us includes quality family time, not so much the endless lessons and practices in which we get caught up.
Best of all, financial responsibility is stressed in this book as a means of finding balance in our lives. We are reminded that our values should be reflected in our purchases and that we should "stop sacrificing personal goals and a fulfilling life for material possessions." By relaxing, letting our values guide our lives and surrounding ourselves with people who support us we can be our best selves as we work and raise our children. They will thank us!

All in one place

There are some classic reference books that no country home should be without. I would put the Encyclopedia of Country Living near the top of that list. Written in the 1960's this book covers the nuts and bolts of doing it yourself. Growing food, chopping wood, fixing household items, making cheese and even birthing babies (human and animal!) are covered in clear step-by-step directions. Some of the recipes and procedures may not conform to modern requirements (for example, burying your own dead), but for practicality and comprehensiveness you really can't beat this book. Check out this blog, based on the book: 

http://encyclopediacountryliving.blogspot.com/

Dirt!

Now that the snow is melting and the mud is beginning to emerge, I am anxious to get outside to play. After spending the winter indoors its nice to revisit some of our favorite places and to check on all our plants in the yard. We are seeing more birds, deer, squirrels and even opossums, every day!
For the kids it seems a lifetime since we could be outside for hours at a time. They don't remember all their spring time activities and a book like this one is a great way to refresh their memories. Making bark rubbings, collecting leaves and stones, making mud pies, and finding salamanders will occupy our spring afternoons. When it rains, we watch the world turn green and dream about the fun we will have in the puddles, inspired by our love of dirt!
http://www.jenniferwardbooks.com/

Food, Inc.

I have seen several movies that discuss various aspects of the food crisis facing America. GMO foods, e coli, animal cruelty and unhealthy, highly processed foods are causing a host of problems for people, animals and the environment. All these issues are complicated and can make feeding yourself and your family seem like a chore. However, this film reminds us of the importance of voting with our food buying dollars and of being informed consumers.
Corporate farms have lobbied to make raising and buying ethically raised, chemical and hormone free animals and plants difficult and in some cases illegal. Did you know that if GM corn cross pollinates a neighbor's field and the neighbor sells his corn he can be sued, for stealing and selling copyrighted genetic material!? This really happens, and Big Corn really wins! When genetic material became available for copyright, whole categories of food became illegal to grow and save seed. Some types have even been modified to be infertile, so that seeds must be bought each year, from the seed company that owns the rights, of course. This makes sustainable agriculture exceedingly difficult.
The animal industries are, if anything, worse, than the plants. The animals are fed diets that are completely unnatural containing grains, waste and "animal bi-products". They live their lives in crowded feed lots or cramped pens and resort to unnatural behaviors as they are driven insane by the conditions and treatment. To compensate the feed is laced with antibiotics that stave off infections long enough to allow the animal to fatten for slaughter. Chickens are kept in cages so tiny that they can not stand, and their beaks are removed to deter the cannibalistic behaviors they exhibit. Is it any wonder then that our meat is not as nutritious as it was a hundred years ago? The steak you buy is not the same thing your grandparents ate, it has different ingredients entirely.
There is hope. By becoming informed we can break the grip of the corporate food industry and take back our health and nutrition. Buying locally, growing our own and using organic, sustainable farm practices can turn around our families' health and increase wellness. By working together and sharing information we can push back against an industry that wreaks havoc in the pursuit of its' own bottom line.
http://www.foodincmovie.com/index.php

Babies

This film gives a child's eye view into the lives of four babies from all over the world. Despite the great contrast in their homes, routines and lifestyles, the universal developmental milestones come to each child in his or her own time. Watching the way these babies interact with their surroundings inspires me to slow down and watch my own children as they grow. We forget in our busy lives how quickly children grow and how awe inspiring each tiny step can be.

CO2

Sometimes it's hard to understand things on a global scale. Our world is so big it is hard to really understand what something like climate change really looks like. Despite his reputation as a wooden speaker in the political arena, Al Gore proves to be engaging in both film and print in this series. I was lucky enough to see Mr. Gore present this information live as well, where he proved to be both amusing and convincing. This film and book provide photographic and statistical evidence of a warming planet over an extended period of time. They also discuss the causes of global warming, specifically CO2 emissions, and the attempts by some to reduce those emissions. To this day the United States has yet to agree to the Kyoto Protocol, an agreement by many nations to reduce green house gases. Some still believe that global warming is a natural cyclical phenomenon, but even if that is the case, it is hard to deny the over consumption of fossil fuels and the pollution that increase daily in our country. The photographic evidence provided here, along with the projected  consequences of continued inaction are powerful tools for discussion and encourage meaningful action. I would love to see this book and film become a part of every high school earth science curriculum. 

\                            http://www.climatecrisis.net/index.php

Food Deserts

Have you ever wondered how a person can be food insecure and overweight? Is it caused by ignorance or something more? What about the disproportionate number of people with diabetes who live in poverty? Is poor nutrition caused by choice or circumstance? 

Food deserts exist in many rural and urban areas of our country. These are area where quality fresh foods are unavailable and over priced while convenience foods are promoted. Could you feed your family exclusively with purchases from the gas station down the street? Thousands of people in this country are doing just that. If you are like me you have a choice where you shop. I routinely buy produce at one store, dry goods at another and meat at a third. I have the luxury of searching for the best quality, the best price and the most ecological and healthful choice. Sometimes I buy organic. I support local farmers even if it costs more. These are middle/upper class decisions. 

This book describes the plight of people stuck in food deserts and explains the difficult decisions with which they are faced. More importantly, it gives the history and an explanation of their formation, describing how a first world country can have malnourished citizens and citizens who choose between feeding their children and feeding themselves. 

Luckily, people are working to change this. Many inner-city farmers markets now accept food stamps. Urban gardens and community agriculture are providing options for families that previously had none. However, inequities remain. Working together we can work toward a day when no one starves and no one goes hungry in the richest country in the world. As the great philosopher said "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he never goes hungry again." From the bottom up our people are learning to fish and rejecting the fish-like byproduct meals that corporate interests are offering. There is hope.

http://www.markwinne.com/

Communities are good for the economy

No matter how often we say that "money can't buy happiness", most of us still believe that if we only had X amount of dollars our problems would be solved. This book asks us to genuinely challenge that belief and consider that once our needs are met, and a few wants are in reach, our true happiness plateaus. After this point more money may mean more stuff, but our sense of fulfillment does not increase. 

Like an addict, we continue to work to increase our earnings, to increase our stuff, to increase our happiness, but the cycle is never complete. It turns out, happiness can be achieved with less, but we do need others to reach this goal, so we should work to build community. 

By building an economic system within our community we support local merchants and farmers and we break free of the corporate control that ties our happiness to consumption. A local economic community builds relationships and the economic rewards are a byproduct of a mutually beneficial relationship. In this way we reduce the isolation that the global economy allows and become engaged in real human interactions. Community building of this sort can also lead to democratic action. Once we realize how important our economic communities are we are willing to fight for them against corporate undermining. This book inspired me to get off my computer, out of my books, and into conversation with my neighbors. By working together we can build community and change the world!

http://www.billmckibben.com/deep-economy.html

Getting a Grip

I have been accused more than once of being an eternal optimist. I've also been called a bleeding-heart liberal. Both of these labels annoy me, mostly because of the inaction they both imply. I don't want to simply hope for the best or look for the best in everyone. I'm looking for action. 

This book takes faith in human beings and encourages actions that lead to real social change. The author suggest that with clarity, creativity and courage we can own our democracy and through that ownership shape meaningful changes on a local and even global scale. 

First she suggests that we embrace a "living democracy". By taking back democratic decision making the people can regain control over their daily lives. This can be formal; voting or running for office (school board anyone?) but more commonly, informal. It means getting involved. Attend local meetings, join a group or club, visit public spaces and make daily decisions in a conscious way. When you own democracy, every action reflects it. Picking up litter is a democratic statement. Buying from the local independent vendor makes an impact and taking a friend with you is a movement. 

This will naturally lead to a local social and economic community. As this community grows, power will shift away from the multi-nationals and into the hands and hearts of real people. Power, in the context of empowerment is a beautiful thing. As more and more marginalized individuals are empowered, the communities will grow and overlap, creating an organic shift from top down leadership and power to grassroots ownership. This is a beautiful thing.

http://www.smallplanet.org/

Less is More

You know that saying "Less is more"? That's what this book is about. Sarah Susanka shows us, with beautiful photographs and clear instructions, her philosophy of design. Indoors and out a home designed to blend with its surroundings and flow from one space to the next feels comfortable, regardless of its size. A huge home with a poor design will have spaces that are never used and not enough space where it is needed. Rather than living with generic design, this book advocates a customized approach to space. Ceilings can be lowered to create cozy spaces, storage can be built into empty walls. A small home with a thoughtful design is more comfortable, more practical and often more beautiful than the McMansion next door. 

As we move toward a new economic reality, small, practical, sustainable homes will be in demand. This book, and the others in the series, can show us practical and beautiful ways to maximize space and minimize waste. 

http://www.notsobighouse.com/

Just finished this one...

This is the story of a newly-wed couple who move to a conservative Amish community with the goal of discovering just how much technology is truly needed for happiness and success. They discover that a non-electric, community-centered, agrarian lifestyle can be fulfilling and provides physical as well as emotional rewards. The author and his wife grow stronger and healthier and their emotional connection grows as they spend time farming together. They are surprised to find just how many labor-saving devices are being used on a daily basis and are impressed by the efficiency of a large community of workers.
Although the work is demanding and problems arise, the author manages to gloss over the hardships and focus on the comradeship and sense of accomplishment that accompany his learning curve of subsistence farming. This book is a story, anecdotes that describe a social experiment. The author ultimately finds that living a non-electric lifestyle is appealing, but not enough to stay forever. He is currently living on the grid, but avoids electronic extras like television and internet.
I would have liked to see more insight into larger environmental and sustainability issues, but as a portrait of a successful cooperative farming community this book is inspiring and successful.

Gardens are great!

I can not wait for spring! The snow is melting and seed catalogs are coming in the mail every day. Soon I will start to plan my gardens. I have two raised beds in my yard, about five feet wide by ten feet long. Although I have lots of space, the soil in my yard is very acidic (we live in the woods) and we have lots of deer, chipmunks and turkeys who would love to have a free buffet! So, we build raised, fenced beds to ensure the safety of our vegetables. The beds aren't huge, but I did get a good bit of produce from them last summer. Before I did my planting last spring, I was reading and dreaming about fresh vegetables when I came across the square foot method of gardening. It was quite different from the long rows I helped to tend as a child, but for someone like me with limited space, it makes great sense.
The premise is that by using raised beds with weed barriers and a rich growing medium seeds can be given advantages over growing directly in the earth. Then, when planting the seeds, a grid method is used to maximize companion plantings and growing space. In a square foot garden there is no waste. Rather than spreading a whole packet of seeds in a row and thinning the seedlings later, this method advocates planting each seed individually, with just enough space around it to avoid crowding as they grow. Modern seeds are almost all good, and by making each seed matter the money spent to buy them doesn't end up composted!
This year, I will adjust the space I give to each type of plant and skip some of the more sprawling varieties, but I think that even with the mistakes I make I ended up with higher yields using the square foot method that would have been possible in traditional rows. I just can't wait to get started!
http://www.squarefootgardening.org/

Inspiration

Its not easy to simplify with kids. They seem to come with so much stuff! Being creative often means even more, messy stuff! This book provides inspiration for simplifying the toys, crafts and costs while being more creative than ever. Sometimes we need to be reminded that the best toys our children have come from nature. Sticks and rocks can be anything in the hands of a child. Encouraging a connection to the natural world by bringing the outside in, creating a nature journal, or just spending time outdoors with your child can do wonders to encourage creativity. 

On indoor days, some scraps of cloth can become costumes, doll clothes, or even dolls themselves. Old magazines can make collages, paper dolls and paper mache. By saving materials and using up leftovers creativity can be inexpensive and ecological. Crafting together, the creative family designs a beautiful living environment, connects with their outdoor environment and conserves environmental resources for future generations. 

http://www.soulemama.com/the_creative_family/

I want to be an unconditional parent!

This is the ultimate attachment parenting resource. It begins with the premise that as parents our goal should not be to "get our children to do as they are told" but rather to "give our children what they need". Think about that for a minute. As your mind shifts from one paradigm to the other, do you physically relax? I know I do. 

I can give my children what they need. I can love them unconditionally. I can talk about their fears and anger and let them know that I will protect them and love them, no matter what. But I can't get them to do as they're told! In fact, I don't want to. I love having spirited, independent minded children. I want them to think for themselves. 

Children adapt. Systems of rewards and punishments are effective, but only at shaping behavior. Children learn what is expected and act accordingly to receive rewards or avoid punishments. The trouble with this system is that the minute they are not observed, as soon as the reward/punishment system is removed, the behavior breaks down. 

More effective for long-term results are behavior modeling (yes that means the parents have to do xyz as well) and communication. Teaching and showing children appropriate, kind, thoughtful behavior and explaining why and how it is expected may take longer, and require more effort on the part of the parents, but the long-term results will be worth it. The process of growing people does not need to follow a business model. We are not looking at short-term results. These memories and lessons are meant to last a lifetime.

http://www.alfiekohn.org/up/index.html

Eating Animals

If you have read any of Jonathan Safran Foer's other books, you know that this is a thoughtful, intellectual, well-written book. It is also profoundly personal and surprisingly balanced. 

On the brink of fatherhood, sometimes vegetarian Foer goes on a quest to examine where our grocery store meats come from. What he finds is a secretive industry of unsanitary and cruel conditions and borderline quality products. The factory farming industry rebukes him at every turn and he finds that the laws support their actions. 

However, their are glimmers of hope. Foer finds a strong-willed minority of farmers who are raising meat in a radically different way. Many, but not all, of these farmers use organic practices and provide meat to a niche market. The demand for grass fed, free-range, organically raised meats is growing and it is this method of farming that Foer embraces. Although torn between a vegetarian lifestyle and meat-eating, the author ultimately concludes that for meat eaters sustainable farming practices are the most acceptable source. 

He also advocate activism against the factory farming industry. Big meat and big grain have such a powerful congressional lobby that laws are being written to destroy sustainable farms. This is detrimental to the health and well being of all Americans as well as decimating our farm lands and water sources. Even if you ultimately decide to continue to consume animal products, consider the life those animals were given and the processing methods the meats go through before reaching your table. We are all responsible for the quality of our food supply. 

http://www.eatinganimals.com/

Yes!

Pete Seeger is my hero, so when I saw him on the back of Yes! magazine I had to check it out. I am so glad I did!
Yes! is a not-for-profit with no corporate advertising. The articles discuss the current state of our world from energy, environment and food to human rights and justice. What sets them apart is the consistently proactive, positive focus. It is so easy to become pessimistic and to feel as if we as individuals are powerless against large economic and environmental forces. The authors featured consistently provide hope and suggest positive action for improving our world. They manage to do this without negativity toward other viewpoints and without marginalizing anyone.
The graphics and layout make complex issues easy to understand and lend themselves nicely to classroom use. A fantastic resource for educators and libraries, free subscriptions are available through the website. If you are looking for hope and want to change the world, Yes! magazine may be the inspiration you are looking for.
http://www.yesmagazine.org/

I'm a tightwad

Usually, when catalogs come in the mail they get recycled. Sometimes I read them first. Once in a while I think I see some thing I need. Its funny how I didn't know I needed it until I saw that catalog. Then, in a crazy twist of fate a coupon for twenty percent off a purchase of fifty dollars or more arrives! What a great deal! I run to the computer and look up the item but when I go to buy it I realize I haven't met the fifty dollar requirement. In my desire to get the best possible deal I add another item to my cart. If I'm not careful I may see something that one of the kids would really enjoy, then I have to buy three, just to be fair. Pretty quickly my purchase is over one hundred dollars.
Before I click the "buy now" button I look around the room and if I'm lucky I notice this book on my shelf. I remember that I am surrounded by unused but useful stuff already and I need to quit shopping and start doing some thing! Now I am back on track. Thinking of ways to save or even make money becomes like a game, how much farther can each dollar be stretched, what can I make with few if any new materials. I love to make bread. It saves money, smells so good while its baking and tastes amazing!
What are your favorite tightwad tips?

The Backyard Homestead

The word "homestead" conjures up all kinds of images. A homestead is self sufficient and productive but also sustainable and nurturing. Its not a farm where food is produced for sale or a hobby farm which may not produce anything at all. Homesteading is a lifestyle. It means taking care of yourself and your family and building a home as a center and focus for your life. It also means taking care of your animals and your land, leaving this world a little better than you found it.
A homestead can be large or small. It can be rural or suburban or even urban. Like people, plants bloom where they are planted and nurtured. This book is a comprehensive overview of the skills needed to homestead in any location.
Choosing a property, allocating space for living, gardening and animals and raising food are all discussed. The author also includes chapters on wine, cider, milking and cheese making. Gleaning wild plants for food and making maple syrup along with bee keeping round out the list of topics. Best of all the appendix includes a list of additional resources by chapter for further study.
For the modern homestead these skills are are somewhat of a lost art and this could be the textbook for the course in homesteading revival.

When were you last in the woods?

I am lucky enough to live in the woods. Trees block the view of the road and it is common to see deer, turkey , squirrels and birds wandering through the yard. I have even seen a bear! Even though I have all this where I can see and experience it every day, I still feel the effects of nature-deficit-disorder. So often my only moments in nature are the trips from home to car, car to work and back again. 

As a parent, I see the benefits that outdoor time has on my kids. They are happier, kinder and more creative when they can play outdoors. For some reason, sticks, rocks and mud are always more fun than the most expensive video game system. 

Unfortunately, those indoor toys suck us in. The noise, the lights, the bright colors lure us away from nature. We become so used to the hyper-stimulation that the beauty of a sunset or the music of birds singing seems somehow less and we pass them by. I am depressed by the realization that a book such as this is truly needed. We need to be taught to reconnect to nature. Our children need to learn new skills to interact with their natural habitat. Playing a video game, or even a board game is nothing like climbing a tree. We need to exercise our physical and mental outdoor skills before they atrophy. I can only hope that recognizing that we have a problem will be the first step in finding a solution. 

The Happy Wanderer

I was a journal writer for many years. My sister and I would sit in bed and write ourselves to sleep. In those days I had big plans. I was going to travel the world, see the seven wonders and settle in a loft apartment of a large metropolitan area, leaving whenever the mood struck. 

I still have big plans (don't get me started!), but these days they tend to focus a lot closer to home. I may not visit exotic locales, but I see rare sights in the daily life here in my home town. My wanderlust has not been satiated, instead I have learned that a walk across the backyard can be a voyage to places as strange and wonderful as a trip across the world. 

This book chronicles such a journey. Vivian Swift paints a portrait of contentment as she illustrates each month of a year at home in a small community. She describes the small pleasures that an inward focus can bring and the beauty of simple things. When I start to feel the urge to stretch my wings, I am reminded that, like this author, even here at home there is plenty of room to fly. 

http://vivianswift.net/index.htm