Organics at Home

Treading Lightly Today there is a growing awareness of the need to tread lightly on our planet in order to protect and heal it -- and a realization that signing petitions and recycling our newspapers may not be enough to achieve this. We need to examine our everyday choices and actions to have any hope of making a difference. But getting back to nature is not about unyielding rules and total immersion: it's about adapting your life in a progressive way simply by modifying your routines and habits. You can start as big or as small as you like, bearing in mind that everything you do is a contribution to a larger transformation taking place all around you. Despite its current prominence in the media, the organic approach suffers from an image problem, often perceived as a way of life that is worthy, but also dull, earnest and spartan. The best-kept secret about the organic phenomenon is that many of the changes you will introduce to your life are addictively luxurious. Whether you are caring for your body, choosing your food, cleaning your house or tending your garden, moving to a more natural way of life is not just about being conscientious, it's also about living well. In the Bodyworks section we start with the most important person -- you. This book is about changing your lifestyle, and the first step towards doing so is changing the way you look after yourself. Going natural is not the same thing as going feral -- cleansing and grooming are vital for both physical and mental wellbeing. The key is to make choices that allow you to cherish yourself and protect your surroundings simultaneously. Bodyworks is full of divine recipes for lotions and potions designed for pure pampering. Pleasure is the reward for being good, so start indulging yourself while keeping your principles intact The Homeworks section takes your conscience to the heart of your existence, your home. It comes as a shock to realize the nurturing space we have created is in fact a vessel for an array of chemical irritants. 'Anti-bacterial', 'extra-strength', 'power-blast' -- the labels of common proprietary household cleaners would have you think your home is a battlefield, as advertisers exploit emotion and guilt to persuade you to buy ever more powerful products. Homeworks is rich in effective grime-busting recipes, proof that gentle is not synonymous with useless. Earthworks takes the organic approach beyond the walls of the house. Going green in the garden is the final step in the home-grown revolution. It's not only about the joy of eating your own organic vegetables, but also about changing the way you think about your garden. Creating a thriving garden without resorting to the use of chemicals is simple; in this chapter you will find the basic methods that you need to create your own safe green oasis -- and, if you want, your own supply of guaranteed non-toxic, highly nutritious edibles. Whatever your level of commitment, an organic approach will offer you more choices about the way you live. But the first step is often the hardest to take. In order to set out along the natural path you will need some inspiration, information and a plan; in other words, this book.McLeod, Judy is the author of 'Organics at Home', published 2005 under ISBN 9781552856307 and ISBN 1552856305.