Table of Contents

introduction HOME * the ugly duckling of the green movement * the true cost of consumption * why buy secondhand? * make it: o laundry soap o all-purpose cleaner o tub scrub o shower soaker o silver polish o floor cleaner o hardwood floor polish o window spray o floor duster o stainless steel cleaner o ceramic stovetop cleaner * alternatives to dryer sheets * a word about plastic BODY * basic hygiene boot camp * how to choose cosmetics * make it: o eye makeup remover o body oil o whipped body oil o microdermabrasion o simple body scrubs o shampoo and conditioner o toothpaste o deodorant o skin toner * lady time * hair removal LIFESTYLE * how being green is good for the waistline * home, sweet home * why beg, barter, borrow should be the new eat, pray, love * remembering your reusable bags * make it: o clothesline o rain barrel * addictions FOOD & DRINK * eating simply * reducing waste in the grocery store * taking on take-out * make it: o punch yourself in the face salsa o delicious tzatziki o zero-electricity, cold brewed, basically-the-solution-to-global-warming, coffee o jar travel mug o boho table settings * all about organics * simple food storage GARDENING * a word from the gardening guru imposter * make it: o herb garden o raised garden beds o pesticide free gardening o compost bin o worm compost o weed killer o weed barrier RELATIONSHIPS * what to do when your partner is a soul-sucking planet killer * quiz: are you an insufferable enviro-nag? * self * how living green can save your relationship * giving the gift * make it: o personal lubricant o massage oil HEALTH & WELLNESS * apple cider vinegar cures everything * how (and why) to stick a small ceramic teapot up your nose * alternative therapies * make it: o magic tea for cold and flu season o epsom salt aromatherapy bath PET * your dog does not need a sweater (or a stroller)(or boots) * make it: o stinky dog spray o upcycled pet bed o flea spray o pet toothpaste o litterbox tips for sexy cat ladies BABY * welcoming your adorable little waste machine * why craigslist should be your baby's middle name * toys, toys, toys * keeping it neutral * cloth diapering * baby skin care * make it: o belly butter o baby wipes o wipe solution o diaper rash cream HOLIDAYS * how to curb holiday excess without becoming a Scrooge * make it: o wrapping paper o recycled paper bow o a difference CONCLUSION REFERENCES

About the Author

Madeleine Somerville adores writing in all its incarnations -- dramatic exclamation-filled diary entries, pseudo-journalistic endeavors for small town weeklies, and the disfigured, bastard child of the above, blogging. She has a B.A. in sociology and is addicted to commas and soft cheeses. She became an unrepentant, tree-hugging hippie after moving to British Columbia eight years ago, and daughter and dog suffer the effects of this metamorphosis on a daily basis. This is her first book. Billee Sharp runs an eco cleaning business and is the author of the bestselling Lemons & Lavender:The Eco Guide to Better Homekeeping. She lives with her family in San Francisco, Ca.

Reviews

"A very practical and funny, green book on how to consume less and still live a fulfilling life." --New Thought Magazine "All You Need Is Less does a good job at making green living seem more attainable and manageable, and that's definitely something worth promoting." --TreeHugger.com "With a chatty, friendly, guilt-free tone, All You Need is Less offers a plethora of ideas for living a greener, healthier, more eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle." --City Book Review "This is the PERFECT gift for anyone who wants to learn how to be more eco in their every day lifestyle choices and doesn't know where to start." --Green Kick "I came away from this book with so many ideas, and this is one that I'm going to keep front and center in my bookshelf, knowing that I'll be returning to it frequently to look up recipes or get ideas on how to do something again and again." --5 Minutes for Mom "Top eco-blogger and new parent Madeleine Somerville has gathered completely original ideas on how to save money and the planet, and have fun in the process." --Edge Magazine "From the first page to the last, Somerville's style crackles with funny, and I can't get enough! Better yet, All You Need Is Less is chock full of excellent tips, tricks, and advice for 'green living' as a lifestyle and not just a fad." --The Homemade Creative "Truly attainable greener living by making small changes." --Don't Eat the Paste "As someone who tries teaching others to realistically live a green lifestyle, I absolutely LOVE this book. It does away with the guilt trip that fills most eco-friendly books and gets straight to what you want most--tips on how to live green that are easy enough for just about anyone and will save you money or not cost you much of anything at all." --Budget Earth "Hands-on and instructional, and includes sections on gardening, lifestyle, body, and home, with recipes for things like toothpaste, deodorant, cleaners, and general information about living more simply." --Twenty-two Pleasant "If you want to learn more about simplifying your own life and going green at the same time, be sure to pick up this book." --A Fulfilled Mommy "All You Need Is Less is full of practical advice and fun do-it-yourself activities for the whole family to help you green your life and save you money all in an easy to do way." --Family Focus Blog "I loved that this book was full of inspiration--including recipes for the budget-conscious and earth-friendly readers. The book more than pays for itself just based on the easy-to-follow recipes for household cleaners and homemade beauty products." --Northern Cheapskate "Why I love Madeline: she. just. gets people! She writes in a way that is completely relateable, never condemning, and will make you laugh until you cry." --Hands and Hearts More than Full "Chock-full of ways to save both the planet and money." --Edge "The next generation of green living." --4 Mothers "This book covers the basics in a fun and quirky light, but covers some serious issues about today's culture and our obsession with consumerism." --So Easy Being Green "Witty and light-hearted, and only offers tips and ideas to make your life more eco-friendly without changing every facet of your life." --Found Frolicking "Perfect for anyone that is trying to become earth friendly and live a more sustainable lifestyle. I enjoyed reading this book from cover to cover." --Grandma Bonnie's Closet "All You Need Is Less is a funny, real and practical guide to living green while saving money." --Twin Cities Frugal Mom "There is something here for even the most casually 'green' people to adopt to their lifestyles." --The Broke Mom's Guide to Everything "Blogger Madeleine Somerville has filled this book with practical tips that you can use to reduce consumption and incorporate repurposing and recycling into your daily life. A simple life can be a big improvement that will lead you to more peace and happiness." --Mama Likes This "A funny, relatable guidebook to help many of us make green living a reality." --Over 50, Feeling 40 "Health. Babies. Dogs. All gone green. And by the way, she's hilarious. This isn't just a list of green living concoctions and tips. There's anecdotes from her own life. Struggles to get her husband to see her point of view. Struggles within herself at certain points. There wasn't a page that I flipped where I wasn't entertained." --Femme Frugality "A funny, almost optimistic, list of things you might actually do to go green and frugal. Peppered with personal anecdotes and words of encouragement, I'd describe it more as Martha Stewart goes crunchy granola, than 'this is the only sane way to live.' Doesn't that sound like fun!" --Art of Natural Living "Funny, honest, eloquent, non judgmental and practical... what else could we want from a book on eco-friendly living?" --Bea Johnson, author of Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying your Life by Reducing your Waste "Madeleine manages to craft compelling prose on life's big moments and small. She brings her irreverent, yet always sweet eye, to convey with humour and humility whatever she chooses to illuminate. Highly recommended author." --Ian MacKenzie, Filmmaker "Occupy Love" "Madeleine Somerville effortlessly blends fresh ideas with a delicious sense of humour to create eco-friendly tips you'll actually want to read. Seen through her lens, living a green life becomes not only attainable, but irresistible, too." --Eden Godsoe, Founder and CEO of SkinnyScoop.com "Budget tips you'll never read anywhere else." --The Frugal Family "Simple steps you could take immediately to have greater simplicity in your life and free up your energy." --Susyn Reeve, author of The Inspired Life