5 comments about One Year to an Organized Life: From Your Closets to Your Finances, the Week-by-Week Guide to Getting Completely Organized for Good.

1. This book has changed my life already, and I've only been following it for a couple weeks! I know that may sound dramatic, but along with Regina's support and others via teleseminar, email, and Instant Messenger, I can already feel the benefits. A very interesting plan. Extremely well written.
   
   The elimination, organizing, journaling, and dreamboarding is creating a new energy that I have not felt before. As I check off my list, I want to continue to do more. A must have for anyone!!!



2. I read this in during a time of my life that felt most disorganized, chaotic, and out of control. My mom gave me this book, and I thought it would just be about physically organizing my home, but instead, it's actually about organizing yourself mentally and emotionally then physically.
   
   The author takes you on a step by step process of imagining and reflecting on why you are the way you are--why you are always late or why you impulse buy or why you can't seem to find your keys. Through reflection, you are able to organize yourself internally and then begin the challenging but completely doable process of clearing and organizing your living space.
   
   It also has a helpful section about moving, which happens to be a timely project for me (my husband and I are moving cross-country in a few months).
   
   I plan on giving this to all my friends!



3. An organized life lends to more time, less aggravation, better health and more - and professional organizer Regina Leeds here provides a set of guidelines to help even the most disorganized reader gain control over time management. These are organized in a series of weekly and monthly plans to streamline everyday life challenges, from making a home space more efficient to organizing travel, business and finances. Consumer collections will find it invaluable.



4. This book has a great premise, breaking down a specific organizational task over the course of a month, and has you writing a journal while you do this. So why only 2 stars?
   
   Too much info about the author. We continually hear about her own experiences, her high-end clients, etc.
   
   Too much focusing on the past in the journal exercises. The more you dwell on the past, the harder it is to make the future better.
   
   She calls herself the Zen Organizer, but there is a lot of New Age content in the book also. Would rather have had more organizational tips.
   
   She has an entire month dealing just with Thanksgiving. Really. If she'd combined it with Christmas and New Year's, as "holiday planning", it would have been plenty.
   
   The chapter on moving was pretty good, but should have been written with lists instead of all the good information being buried in paragraphs (and this was also a problem in other chapters).
   
   Overall, I would rate the book 2.5 stars. Good premise, and several good organizing tips, but it gets bogged down in places. Check it out from your library first--you might prefer her approach to that of FlyLady.



5. On page 24, Regina Leeds says just about everything that needs to be said on the subject: "Everything you do needs to be scheduled". This happens to be the same message David Allen delivers much more effectively in his "Getting Things Done".
   
   Of course, saying it is a lot easier than doing it, which is why people like Leeds and Allen can count on their books selling year after year.
   
   Leeds takes the approach of teaching you how to organize your life over the course of a year, with new projects every month. For me, the approach simply doesn't work. Too much territory is covered. For example, I'm not going to be moving into a new home, so that chapter - and the month's project - is wasted on me.
   
   Also, Leeds is a bit too "New Age" for my personal taste. Tidbits like an "affirmation" for the month strike me as treacly. August, for instance, tells you: "I am guided with ease to my new home. I embrace the life waiting for me. I also bless and thank my current home. I release it to the new occupants. I am thankful for all the participants in this transition."
   
   Regina Leeds has quite a following, apparently, but I don't think I'll be joining it.
   
   Jerry

5 comments about How Your House Works: A Visual Guide to Understanding & Maintaining Your Home (How Your House Works) (How Your House Works).

1. I surprised my husband with this book for Christmas. He was stoked. It was sent to me in plenty of time before Christmas. It will be so helpful to us in finishing our basement!



2. EVERY homeowner should have a copy of this invaluable resource. Particularly helpful are the "Before calling for help" sections. The book is simple and straightforward enough for anyone to understand and the diagrams are visually uncomplicated and clear. Before picking up the phone to call a professional be sure to check this wonderful resource and you just might save yourself a service call and a lot of money!



3. I have numerous reference books but this is the first one to actually describe to me how the device functions. The "Before calling the...(technician)" feature was a brilliant idea and a potential money saver for most homeowners.
   
   My son-in-law teaches middle school science and will be using this book for its wonderful schematics. My other reference books are stashed away on a bookshelf - this one stays on my desk where it is good and handy!



4. highly recommended. contains clear text and very detailed illustrations of the major systems of a house. i came upon this book while looking for explanations of the causes of excessive dust in a home (e.g., whether it's the contents--furnishings, linens, clothing, etc.--in a room or whether it's old walls, floors, and porous ceilings). this book doesn't answer my question, but it does offer a useful, step-by-step guide to systems like plumbing, wiring, heating/cooling, structure, and large appliances. for new homeowners or, better, folks who don't see themselves as diy'ers, this book will give you the information to do some things yourself. at the very least, you will be able to figure out where/why a system underperforms, and what to do about it. along with amy johnston's book on building and renovating a home, wing's book covers most issues. excellent resource or reference.



5. I'm a book geek, a connoisseur of ideas. And i'm not one of those book geeks who is also very practical or handy about the house or with home repair. This book includes a visual dictionary (label + illustration)along with its plain explanations. I'm glad I bought it.

5 comments about Home Buying For Dummies, 3rd edition.

1. One main problem with the book is there is a sense you should trust the realtor. I disagree with this 100%. You should never, never trust a realtor. Good luck finding a "great realtor" let alone an honest one. Be careful with what you tell a realtor. Even the one you believe is working for you as a buyer. Do your own comps, because it is easy, and pay that or less. Very simple.



2. It was nice being able to understand what the real state agent and the loan officer talked about. I could ask questions that before I was unable to do. Great easy to understand reading.



3. A friend recommended this because she read the first chapter and decided she had no business buying a house. Yes, it's that good. We have used it to help us select a lender and a Realtor, and it also helps by suggesting some decisions that should be made before you select those people. It is so much clearer now what escrow is. And why it matters who your home inspector is.
   Bottom line, when you go shopping for the home of your dreams, it's best to be concentrating on the house, not wondering about all those terms the Realtor just threw at you. Read this first and the home-buying process is much clearer. If your realty agent confuses you, you know enough to ask them to clarify things. And if it still isn't clear, you'll know enough to find another realty agent.
   Read this book! Buying a house is stressful enough without it.



4. This book goes without saying that it covers all the basics and provides additional information through web links. This is my 4th Dummy book and will continue to use it as a reference for many years to come! Easy read, funny at times without being to cheesy. Kudos to the authors again for another quality book!
   
   Read this book in any fashion you like and mark points down to inquire with Realtors, loan officer, appraisers and inspectors... You'll make some mad for being informed and catch others trying to lie or sugar coat it to you!



5. it is a must read if you are a first time home buyer. I knew what to ask, what to expect. I am not money savvy, but the morgage section is simple enough that I feel that helped me getting the best deal possible.

5 comments about Parenting From the Inside Out.

1. This book was in good shape and was delivered in a good time.



2. This book ties together information from Neuropsychology, Attachment Theory, Memory/Information Processing therories... and more. All the disparate strands combine to shed light on just what happens when your child presses your buttons and you lose it big time. As a Psychologist with prior knowledge in this area, I found the book fantastic reading but I wonder if it is a little too technical for the uninitiated. Then again, you could always skip the stand-alone sections that address scientific findings as the rest of the text is easier reading. I will certainly make good use of it in my client and teaching work.



3. 
   Parenting From the Inside Out, is an excellent resource!
   This book was highly recommended to me, by a psychologist and family therapist. It reveals how we as parents can gain insight, into how our own childhood and past significant family relationships have an enormous impact on how we will relate to and share experiences with our children. It gives wonderful instructions for parents, on how to be emotionally "present" with our children.It also is very informational about brain/mind development.



4. Parenting from the Inside Out is an easy-to-read book on the neurobiology of parenting. It builds upon the attachment theory of child development and contains useful exercises that are aimed at helping readers identify and work with psychological issues related to parenting.
   
   The core theme of this book is that when parents cultivate a strong, healthy relationship with their children, it promotes development in areas of the brain enabling emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal skills. Experiences and memory shape emerging neural connections; essentially parents sculpt the minds of their children.
   
   Unresolved issues from childhood may reduce the quality of the parent child relationship. Through deepening self-awareness and processing past issues in order to give meaning to them, parents can change ingrained patterns and help their children thrive. Parents can grow together with their children, enjoying them for who they are. Children in turn can become grounded in reality and more self-assured. Specific psychological concepts are introduced and clearly explained.
   
   Siegel's openness in regard to his experience as a parent is courageous and serves to normalize the inevitable fact that parents are imperfect. Parental ambivalence is approached with sensitivity and guidance is provided regarding how to identify and heal negative patterns.
   
   I highly recommend this book for parents who wish to deepen their relationships with their children and enhance the quality of their lives together. This book is also very useful for anyone working with children.



5. This book helped me gain enormous insight into myself and also create a compassionate space in which to parent. It is not an easy read, but it is important and well worth the effort. I've read some beautiful parenting books, but what many of them lack is what this book presents so beautifully. Until you can understand yourself better, all of the good intentions in the world will just crash down, leaving you feeling like a failure. I am so grateful that this book found me.

5 comments about The Encyclopedia of Country Living: An Old Fashioned Recipe Book.

1. If you are looking for a book that will cover all your bases, this is it. Obviously it can be supplemented with other specific books, but if you are looking for an excellent reference book to any question you've ever had, this is the book for you.



2. BUY THIS BOOK AND DITCH ALL THE REST. This book will tell you everything you ever need to know about homesteading, animals, cooking, canning, washing, planting, EVERYTHING... dont waste your time buying 10 different books on 10 different subjects... just buy this ONE and you are set!



3. I love this book! It is a great reference book and will tell you anything you need to know about doing things the old fashioned way. I love the little stories between the info. There is a great index and topics are very easy to find. The receipes are great and if the book doesn't have the info that you are looking for, most likely there is a web site listed, or an address listed to the correct government agency to get you what you need. I have had this book for about a year and keep it handy, it's like the Western Garden book, but for every thing to do with living in the country. I purchased this book recently for a gift and my friend loves it and raves about it almost as much as I do.



4. This book is amazing!!! Don't let the title fool you. Recipes are mostly side notes compared to the incalculable information contained within. (I almost didn't buy it thinking it would be full of unwanted recipes). I have searched through numerous books on the topic of having a self-sufficient farm and moving to the country. This is absolutely the best one there is, hands down. I prefer the newer updated version (blue rimmed, 2003) as it contains websites. With this book in hand, I would only recommend you buy two others if you are serious about moving to the country and becoming independent. Its rival, in my opinion, is John Seymour's The Self-Sufficient Life. It's a gem and fills in any gaps you might have after reading Emery's book. [If you have animals you will obviously need to know specifics about your breed(s) and typical bumps along the way.] But, I would say that the only other topic that needs polishing and more detail is beekeeping. Find a good volume on that topic, read these three books throughly, and I believe that you need little less than a great desire to make it happen, a positive outlook, and some neighbors willing to offer advise - I doubt they will be difficult to find in a place where people are grateful for their opportunity to work the land and lend a hand when needed.



5. The Encyclopedia of Country Living is indispensible for the homestead or real country living! Or for those in the city who are dreaming of the country life...It is as homey as a crackling fire on a wintery night or the smell of homemade bread wafting, and as useful as that special tool on the farm which can be used in endless ways. Carla Emery has put together an amazing amount of information which is really enjoyable to read~ it's hard to put down!

5 comments about Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook: The Essential Guide to Caring for Everything in Your Home.

1. In her prologue, Martha discusses her interest and admiration for old books on household management from several countries. Lo and behold, Martha has created this country's home management encyclopedia herself. All joking aside (SNL sketches, anyone?), you gotta hand it to her: she has indeed created this country and this generation's home care encyclopedia. As a city girl who suddenly found herself in a suburban house with a family to care for, I needed a clue about how I could run my home (instead of it running me). I poured over this book. It doesn't go into deep detail on anything, but that is its strength. It is comprehensive, modern and useful. I was anticipating uptight and obsolete practices. (Well ok, just skip the page on devoting a closet to roll and store your antique linens.) Here are just a few sample topics I picked randomly: sealing your limestone floors, different types of heating systems and their care, recommended quantities of linens, seasonal cleaning and maintenance schedules, setting up a WiFi network, take care of cut flowers, fix squeaky stairs, babyproof a home, the different quilting approaches for comforters and which will keep the feathers from migrating to the edges, outfitting a fireplace, different sheet materials and their qualities, how to make your home more energy efficient. It is a great resource for anyone with a house, an apartment, or any space of their own to maintain.



2. Wow, I'll never make it through this entire book! Tells you everything you need to know about homekeeping and more! So many helpful tips. Great explanations. Every family should own this manual! Very well written and easy to follow!



3. This could have been such a wonderful book, but Ms. Stewart doesn't go into enough detail on how to trade cigarettes for protection or learning to deal with an unruly bunk mate. I'll give it 3 stars because it's great to see that a convicted felon can lie, cheat, and steal...but then continue to rise in success after being released from prison!! You have to love America don't you. I am going to be the first person to pre-order her newest book, to be released in 2010. I hear rumors she's co-producing it with Mike Vick. We are in for such a treat!! You might not find it on this site, but some forums are saying the title with be along the lines of "How to Decorate a 5 X 5 space and not block the sink." Stay strong Martha, just because you're a criminal doesn't mean I don't love you!



4. I bought this book for myself, ...and I've been married over forty years. I try to read on it every day, and I'm learning lots of new things, but its huge with over 700 pages! I wish it had been around when I first got married. It covers nearly everything you need to know whether you own or rent a home. I will be giving this book as a wedding gift from now on or to anyone moving into their first place. Perhaps there should be one just for the outside of a home.



5. It does help me a lot with homecare but many things there are about old stuff.

5 comments about The Renewable Energy Handbook: A Guide to Rural Energy Independence, Off-Grid and Sustainable Living.

1. I found this book to contain very good information about living the self-sufficient lifestyle. This book contains vast amounts of information about renewable energy and the various methods available. I will definetly use this information as a guide to building our self-sustaining home. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about green living.



2. I bought this book because I wanted a book with more detail than some of the other introductory books. I was not disappointed. Quite good depth for a layman's book, with the necessary equations, tables, charts, etc. Some portions of the book could have some more detail, but the subject matter is so broad, it wasn't so much of a drawback as a stimulus to find more in depth material. The author gives lots of examples and links to further info. I especially liked his introduction of hot water/thermal storage in large tanks for heating domestic hot water or home heating.



3. 
   I'm building a new house and I want to make sure it's the most energy efficient house I can afford to build, so I got this book to help look at some of the decisions like Solar PV, Solar water heating, Wind and Micro hydroelectric. I have been happy so far, the discussion on insulating so far has been geared toward existing houses but it's interesting to note that insulating the basement may give you a higher payback than more insulation in the attic.
   
   I didn't understand what net-metering allows you to do before reading this book, although living in Georgia makes a PV system cost prohibitive since there are no state rebates.
   
   Solar hot water looks very feasible and should have a pretty quick payback.



4. This book, in my opinion, is the best overall coverage of energy savings and sustainable energy systems for home owners I have read. There are a few typos but whos cares.
   
   I do think, since I am a chemist, he understates the dangers of handling caustic in the description of preparing biodiesel.
   Methanol is flamable but caustic is much worse than acid to handle!
   
   The author obviously has a lot of direct experince with most of the areas he covers and his first chapter is wonderful for anyone whether they contemplate building a truely energy selfsufficient home or not.
   
   I highly recommend the book and compliment the author for writing and publishing it.



5. To be fair, I have not read this book. Why 5 stars? The book is a for-profit venture by the author, so recovery of time, effort, & energy is important for revenue reasons. So why write this review? After spending nearly 12-18 hours perusing AMAZON's book list on solar energy and photovoltaic systems, I was frustrated! None of the reviews on any single book seemed to be convincing enough to make me want to buy. For instance, none of the reviews mention how the books address the National Electric Code, specific wiring and disconnect installation information, electrical and other safety hazards, inspection issues, etc. For a DIY'er, these books seemed a waste of time, never mind the fact that some reviewers insisted they actually DIY'ed just from the book. It then occurred to me that dozens of resources that I had used over the past 10 years - with the exception of 2007 due to extenuating circumstances - many resources are available for free from our fantastic .GOV, .ORG, and .EDU sites like Sandia Nat'l Labs, NREL, NMSU, and CA.GOV. Folks, before you start buying books on PV left & right, be smart and leverage what your fine tax dollars paid for! I have to admit - I believe it's just stupid searching for good PV technical, installation, and detailed literature on a For-Profit Bookstore when so much is already available online for Free. Folks, use your head - our government and academic labs pioneered this from federal tax dollars. Hence, much of it is public domain! (REPLACE all "?" with "." in the following website links.) nabcep?org nmsu?edu/~tdi/index?html photovoltaics?sandia?gov and energy?ca?gov Of course, if you're just not Internet savvy, not an engineer/analytical A-type personality, and highly resourceful, plus you'd rather prefer to kill trees buying a book instead of leveraging online resources that are 100 times more than what's on AMAZON, and most likely don't have the wherewithal to DIY, go ahead. It will be amazing to see how many are simply duped by the thousands of new "get rich quick" companies and businessmen entering the renewable energy markets.

5 comments about Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home.

1. Healthy Child Healthy World teaches everyone about the chemicals we are exposed to in our pet products, cleaning supplies, food, landscape, body care products, plastic items and more - AND it gives easy soultions to every problem it illuminates. Rather than feel overwhelmed, I learned so much from this book and feel empowered to make simple changes that I know will help protect my family's health now and in the future. Essenial reading for all!



2. Finally, an approachable and simple book for everyone to embrace. Yes, the toxins in our world are scary, but Christopher Gavigan breaks the story down into simple steps that we all can follow -- AND ones that won't break the bank. A must read for all parents.



3. Healthy Child Healthy World is an excellent, comprehensive resource for living a cleaner, greener life - not only for ourselves but for our children and grandchildren too!
   
   It simply spells out what we CAN do right now to get the toxins out of our lives. For example, on page 159, the author gives alternatives to traditional mosquito repellents. Two actual brand names of natural repellents are given which have been found to be effective. Another tip he gives is to plant scented geraniums, lemon thyme, marigold, and basil next to our homes to repel the bugs.
   
   There are many, many jewels of information in this book. Some examples include, a recipe for homemade soft scrub(ber), running your water on cold first thing in the morning flushes out lead from pipes (from older houses), a recipe for an all-natural pest killer for your garden, a list of safe and unsafe seafood to consume, and how to know if your produce is conventional, organic, or genetically modified by looking at the PLU#.
   
   From the food we eat to choosing toys and clothes, even raising a green pet, everything is covered in this book. It is well-laid out, easy to read, with tips throughout to put you into action.
   
   The chapters are as follows:
   
   Introduction. Your (Kid's) Health is Your Wealth
   Chapter 1. Doing the Bump: Preparing for Baby
   Chapter 2. Cleanup Time: Safe Suds and a Greener Clean
   Chapter 3. A Clean Plate: Choosing, Eating, and Storing Healthier Food
   Chapter 4. The Beauty Part: Natural Body Care
   Chapter 5. Child's Play: Safer Toys, Gear, and Clothing
   Chapter 6. Splendor in the Grass: Greener Gardens, Yards, and Outdoor Spaces
   Chapter 7. Every Sip-and Breath-You Take: Clean Water and Air Solutions
   Chapter 8. BFF: Raising a Green Pet
   Chapter 9. Safe House: Healthy Home Improvement
   Chapter 10: It's All Good: How to Grow Your Impact
   
   I highly recommend this book to every parent AND grandparent! Thank you Christopher Gavigan for putting together such a comprehensive resource and guidebook!



4. I've been receiving e-newsletters from HealthyChild.org since the birth of my first child two years ago. So I was thrilled when I got word that they'd published a book. I immediately ordered three copies (one for myself, two for friends), sight unseen. Got the book yesterday, sat up most of the night pouring over it. The verdict? Excellent.
   
   Seriously, this book is exactly what I've been looking for. I've been pretty disappointed with the majority of books targeted at parents that bill themselves as "green" or "eco." Many of them look gorgeous -- printed on recycled paper with lots of pretty, glossy photo spreads. Some of them take on a "holier than thou" tone that I find to be a big turn off. And most of them skimp on the concrete details and information we parents need to make the right choices for our families.
   
   Healthy Child, Healthy World is filled with good, solid information to help any parent navigate the complexities of raising a child in a world over-burdened by chemicals. It provides helpful buyer and information resources in the back. And while it does include anecdotal celebrity cameos throughout, I didn't feel like I had to belong to an exclusive club (or be fabulously wealthy) in order to heed much of the advice in the book. Best of all, where most books of this sort leave me feeling wretched and panicked by the time I've finished reading them ("I've poisoned my child!"), this book left me feeling empowered.
   
   Happy Reading!



5. This book is one of the best books on the market for eye opening eco factors that were destroying our planet and lives with, and how to change for the better, I would completly recommend this book for parents and even non-parents, due to the fact that everybody should know about what the real truth is. I love this book and have not even finished it, I have already changed most if not all of my cleaning ways, eating habits and looked on the back of every bottle at the ingredients. Its disgusting to know what our manufactures and government get away with selling us for the almighty doller. Im grateful to the author and applaud him for helping me and hopefully millions change for the better, and for the new edition in my family that will be born to cleaner way of living that I can pass on to her, THANK YOU for this book Christopher Gavigan, I am recommending this book to everyone I know.
   
   Thank you again from a soon to be a first time mother,
   Deirdre

5 comments about It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff.

1. This book is awesome. It's the first book ever that really made me understand that the collectibles gathering dust in my garage were not cherished items. I am now taking weekly loads of books to be sold, items (in good condition) to Goodwill. Maybe someone else will be able to cherish and use them. His book also opened my eyes to the idea that I have a limited amount of space (1300 sq. feet!) so I have to make careful choices about what I want to put in that space. For the first time in years we can now park both cars in the garage. Yay! This book was full of lightbulb moments.



2. I saw Peter on the Oprah show and had the buy the book. It is worth every penny. I disagree with the reader who said this book is only for people with families. He explains how to cut down on clutter and make sure that everyone is involved in the decision making process. He has a chapter on the kid's room, but if you don't have kids, just don't read it. I'm married without children and found this book to be life changing. It is a great investment.



3. It's All Too Much is a very good organizing book. Peter does a good job on giving the pratical tips on de-cluttering and organizing space. One of the best things about his book is he gets the reader to think about why they are disorganized and why they are continuing to purchase more stuff. He does not suggest buying more organizng bins, instead stop buying more stuff. He also does a good job on getting people to think about only bringing in things into your life that you use, enjoy, and love.



4. I can't think of a thing I did not like about this book! Okay, the parts about kids didn't apply to me, but it was still interesting to read about it. I never realized clutter had this much control over other parts of life. Since reading this book I am determined to make my home more clutter free. It helped me see a lot of areas I need to work on, and helped me rationalize throwing away things I never would have had the nerve to throw away before. It's also written in very readable language. I promised this book to a friend so I read it quickly, but I wish I could keep it longer and savor the reading!



5. Fun to read, inspiring, practical--buy this book, read it, and live it. Walsh creates a vision of what your life could be like without all the clutter. After reading his book, I gave my house a long overdue decluttering. His book fired me up so quickly that I couldn't wait to get started. Highly recommended!

5 comments about Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life.

1. I have been looking for a book like this for a while now. More and more we are becoming aware of the impact we make on the environment and I for one strive to do my part. However, it's overwhelming to research and personally test out everything out there, which is one of the reasons why this book is so great. From beauty products to cleaning products, to lifestyle, this book has it all. It really is a must for every girl out there who really strives to do their part in this world!



2. I am someone who has always had a very quiet but consistent care about the environment. I grew up in mid-state New Jersey and could sadly surmise that all was not well with the air and water. And I am very keen to make informed/smart choices regarding my health. So when I saw Sophie Uliano on "Oprah" I was moved to get her book - and I am soooo happy I did. I'm thrilled to find a place where I can get so much critical information so conscientiously distilled for me regarding the day-to-day choices I make. This is deeply important material to get our selves and our earth healthy. Get this book for yourself, all the women in your lives who matter to you. Mind you, I think the boyfriends, husbands and sons will take a peek with given the Gorgeously Green cover art ;)



3. I saw her on Oprah and thought I'd buy the book but wasn't all that excited about it. Wow, it's wonderful. It has a break down of all the info you need to make educated dicussions. Also, it isn't full of old environmental attitudes of all or nothing. Sofie says again and again doing one thing makes a difference. She also tells you where to find the green alternatives that work!!! I highly recommend this book. I've bought books for my mom and sister. Both of whom love the book. I've also just purchased more books for my children's teachers.



4. this book is a must for all moms. it has opened my eyes to the toxins and dangers that are in everyday products. this book gives simple and practical ways to introduce new and healthy items and rid yourself of the bad. it's a new favorite for me.



5. I tried really hard to love this book. While I truly admire Sophie Uliano's enthusiasm and witty tone, there are few "buts" that were quite annoying. What's worse, these nasty "buts" made me question whether the advice given in the book is authentic, useful, and genuine.
   
   1. Do yourself a favour and skip the beauty section of the book. Ms Uliano had to spend more time researching before writing a segment on green beauty. Many of "organic" and "green" products she recommends are loaded with potentially toxic substances such as synthetic preservatives and fragrances. Consistency is key. Poorly researched tips in one section undermine author's credibility in other areas, and in general undermine reader's trust in the whole green living thing.
   
   2. While the book is very informative and packed with easy tips, most chapters look like a link exchange section of a website. Too many links to websites - and some aren't that relevant. What's more irritating, the author blatantly promotes her own website on every page. It may be fun once or twice, but not in every chapter.Sometimes it feels like the author didn't really care about adding more information to the book - why bother if you can easily upload all the articles online?
   
   Speaking of online: most of the tips can be easily found online FOR FREE.
   
   3. Too many typos. It's "Herbatint", not "Hebatint", mind you. And this hair dye is so chemically loaded, you shouldn't really mention it in a green living guide. When I found ten typos, I stopped counting, and I wasn't even in the middle of the book. I know, it's not the author's fault, it's the publisher's lack of effort, but still. Such things don't support the idea of importance of green living.
   
   In general, the book is an easy uplifting read that may convert few babyboomers into "green girls".