HUNDREDS OF PRACTICAL WAYS TO HELP COMBAT THE CLIMATE CRISIS! Turn over a green leaf in every aspect of your life with this comprehensive guide. Packed with practical, reliable and up-to-date advice about making achievable and sustainable changes, this book shows you can cut carbon by: HEATING AND COOLING YOUR HOUSE INTUITIVELY by using a smart thermostat or plugging your chimney MANAGING DEVICES AND ELECTRONICS by unplugging unused chargers or passing along your old phone COOKING, WASHING AND CLEANING SMART by frying with small pans, defrosting the freezer regularly or washing your car with rainwater GARDENING ACCORDING TO NATURE by participating in No Mow May or by creating your own green roof SHOPPING AND TRAVELLING CONSCIOUSLY by becoming a "locavore" or supporting low carbon resorts CHANGING FINANCIAL HABITS by investing in the future or buying services rather than products Everywhere you look, there's a way to help the planet. Whether it's a simple change of habit or a forward-thinking home improvement project, you'll find plenty of suggestions to improve your bank balance, your health and your eco-karma.

Part celebrity memoir and part self-help book, Better than New goes behind the scenes with an entrepreneurial single mum who worked her way from waitress/real estate agent to home renovation expert, preservationist, and television star. With eight chapters in the book - eight lessons told through her life story and through several of the homes she has remodeled - readers will get to see another side of Nicole Curtis, including the private and personal struggles that are not seen on TV. Working in Detroit and Minneapolis, Curtis has opened her fans' eyes to the beauty of older homes and the value of reclaiming and reusing authentic original materials rather than sending dumpster loads to the local landfill. Curtis applies the same principles to her personal life - valuing old friends, rescuing dogs, and advocating for the wounded, the elderly, and the disadvantaged. Readers will find inspiration to apply to their own lives supplemented with never-before-seen photos of Curtis and the homes she renovates. Better than New is a visual treat, packed with more than 75 colour photographs from Curtis's personal collection, ranging from family photos to before-and-after photos of the rehabbed homes' interiors and exteriors.

The book is a compendium of homes, including apartments and single-family houses, that have been remodeled to suit contemporary lifestyle needs. Rehabilitations of living spaces are often done to reanimate existing constructions that, over time, have become impractical, if not obsolete. The challenge is to adapt these existing buildings to contemporary standards while maintaining what might still be useful or what we like about them. Most old buildings are very compartmentalised, reflecting the human habits of their time and the available building technology. Nowadays, we like to live in much more open and airy spaces - and new building methods allow for the removal of walls that ultimately free up space. We renovate and upgrade living spaces to various degrees, ranging anywhere from upgrading fixtures and appliances to removing and reconstructing walls and expanding buildings. While extensive work is sometimes required, these rehabilitations can result in stunning transformations. Many add comfort and increase utility, not to mention that the investment generally adds value to the property. This inspirational book showcases a range of rehabilitated projects, from ones that begin by totally stripping out interiors to a clean slate, to less extensive work that might be limited to cosmetic changes or simple finish and fixture upgrades. Existing dwellings have proved themselves flexible to changing necessities, and they are key to the regeneration of our living environment. Text in English, German and French.

Many people are looking at ways to extend their homes rather than move house, but 'getting the builders in' can be a recipe for disaster unless you really know what you are doing. Whether you plan to employ a building contractor or tackle so

Offers over 50 of the most useful essential oil recipes for tackling every mom's daily needs The primary concern for you, as a mother, is making sure your family is in good health and your home is a safe environment--a more difficult task than ever in an increasingly toxic world. Using the carefully crafted recipes and healing practices in this book, smart moms everywhere can take advantage of the incredible power of essential oils to overcome this vital dilemma. Packed with hundreds of practical, holistic solutions, this complete guide to essential oils covers the most fundamental applications, from creating non-toxic homemade cleaners to relieving common aches and pains. Included are recipes for everyday emergencies and on-the-go first aid, while other concoctions aim to enhance individual mood, sleep, and weight. The book also includes special blends for pet health, making sure that even Fido stays well. With detailed information on the benefits of every type of oil, tips for safe practice, and a comprehensive list of resources, Smart Mom's Guide to Essential Oils is an indispensable reference for moms looking to get the most from their oils.