Wise Bread Picks
Looking for an overall bible of green that doesn't require a chemical engineering degree to understand? Wanting to do your part without devoting months of research time to figure out your options? This title just might be for you. In fact, it's on a very short list of titles that have completely surpassed my expectations. To find out what I loved and learned, read on.
Sophie Uliano's indexed, 309 page tome is jam packed with green tips, resource recommendations and generally great eco-info. For example, did you know that half of the pollution that comes from transporting your food comes from your drive to the grocery store? The other half is from commercial transportation. Translation? The commercial half at least carries more product to the same location, making online shopping a reasonably green choice for items that are not produced locally. Like I needed another reason. The lines at some of the bargain stores lately are nearly overwhelming. For items you aren't able or willing to order online that do have to be shipped in, planning your shopping route to reduce driving time and combining errands is still an excellent way to go. Some other great tidbits you'll see covered?
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- Re-usable eco options for sandwich wraps. If you picnic often or take lunch to work, cutting down on disposable bags is worth exploring.
- Green cleaners that won't break the bank. Not only does Ms. Uliano cover several homemade versions but also points out that one of the more Earth-friendly scouring powders, Bon Ami, has been on the market for years. Bonus? It's super cheap.
- Air drying for urbanites. Occasionally skipping the dryer can be good for both planet and pocketbook. But city residents are often confined to narrow alleys, hallways and the space over the tub. For a full range of drying options for apartment and brownstone dwellers, Sophie recommends checking out UrbanClotheslines.Com. Some of the more elaborate alley and hallway options can be a bit pricey, but there are some smaller options for those on a tighter budget.
- Fun factor. Recommendations and resources are also included for various children's arts and crafts materials.
- Frugal fitness. There's an entire section with illustrated yoga moves to keep you jazzed about your green living choices and limber at the same time.
- A free eco-friendly shopping bag! Yup. That's right. On the gorgeously green web site, cloth shopping bags are available for purchase. However, if you use the URL and coupon code word provided in the book, you'll be credited during the checkout process and will receive a free chic shopping bag with its own mini drawstring stuff sack for easy purse storage. She even makes it into a scavenger hunt! You go to the URL, which then refers you to a particular word on a particular page to use for the coupon code. Very fun. (Whether or not shipping charges apply was unclear.)
- Frugal ways to go green. Looking to go green on a shoestring? Sophie's got your back with numerous suggestions on how to go green and save money at the same time. As my regular readers might expect, my favorites included bulk buying to reduce packaging and costs, assembly cooking your own granola and using a crock pot as an energy efficient and frugal choice for dinner prep.
It's easy to tell from this book that Ms. Sophie Uliano is a Wise Bread kind of girl. I wonder if we can convince her to visit us for a guest session in the forums . . .
