Sustainable Home

For beginners and owner-builders, green building is a sustainable construction method that has a low impact on the environment. Green buildings usually incorporate LEED standard construction requirements in order to become certified; however, a homeowner can be an “owner builder” and construct their own home without the need of hiring a General Contractor in many cases, plus they usually do not need certification even if they build to LEED standards. Although standard construction methods and materials are often used, such as 2x4 or 2x6 framing with fiberglass insulation, or SIP panels,...

There is a better way to live. Humans should have free time, good food, affordable shelter, time in nature, space to think, and living systems that help people thrive while healing the land. Welcome to Acorn Land Labs. We fuse permaculture, off-grid systems, local lifestyles, and simple living into a fresh way to live well. Join us as we reinvent the world around us into something healthy and good.

Did you know that in the United States alone, an estimated 345 billion gallons of water are used daily? This shouldn’t be surprising–we live in a world of consumerism, and unfortunately, this even correlates to how we use natural resources like electricity and water. But what are you supposed to do? It’s not like you can just go without water.

“Essential Guide to Sustainable Living: Simple Steps to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint and Save Money” is your practical roadmap to an eco-friendly lifestyle. Discover easy, budget-friendly ways to cut energy waste, conserve water, reduce plastic use, and make greener choices every day. Whether you're looking to lower utility bills, adopt sustainable habits, or live a more environmentally responsible life, this guide provides actionable tips to help you go green without breaking the bank. Start making a difference today—one simple step at a time!

What happens to our trash? Why are our oceans filling with plastic? Do we really waste 40 percent of our food and 65 percent of our energy? Waste is truly our biggest problem, and solving our inherent trashiness can fix our economy, our energy costs, our traffic jams, and help slow climate change—all while making us healthier, happier and more prosperous. This story-driven and in-depth exploration of the pervasive yet hard-to-see wastefulness that permeates our daily lives illuminates the ways in which we've been duped into accepting absolutely insane levels of waste as normal.

In this easy-to-follow, action-packed guide, you’ll uncover how to make sustainable fashion choices without breaking the bank. Whether you're new to the world of eco-friendly fashion or looking for ways to refine your style while staying on budget, this book offers practical, realistic tips for creating a wardrobe that reflects your values—without compromising on quality or style.

Discover the art of self-sufficiency! Unlock a life of independence, even if you’ve never homesteaded before. Do you feel overwhelmed by transforming your home into a sustainable haven? Are you eager to escape the urban hustle and embrace self-sufficient living but unsure where to start? You're not alone. Many dream of a sustainable lifestyle but face obstacles like time, space, or finances. But homesteading can be accessible to anyone. In Your Ultimate Homesteading Guide, you'll learn how to overcome these barriers and turn your dream into reality.

By explaining the lean system for identifying and eliminating waste and introducing efficiency in every aspect of the farm operation, The Lean Farm makes the case that small-scale farming can be an attractive career option for young people who are interested in growing food for their community. Working smarter, not harder, also prevents the kind of burnout that start-up farmers often encounter in the face of long, hard, backbreaking labor. Lean principles grew out of the Japanese automotive industry, but they are now being followed by progressive farms around the world....

Looking for a way to live more sustainably and lead a simpler life? Look no further than Creating a Home on the Prairie, the ultimate guide to homesteading in South Dakota. With 19 comprehensive chapters covering everything from the history of homesteading in South Dakota to sustainable living practices, this guide has everything you need to get started on the path to a more self-sufficient life. Chapter 1 introduces readers to the concept of homesteading in South Dakota, highlighting the unique opportunities and challenges of this region. Chapter 2 delves into the rich history of ...

Charles Dowding puts feeding the soil at the heart of his No Dig method of growing. He explains how to use your kitchen and garden waste to make homemade compost so that your plants can truly flourish. Discover what you can compost, how to get the perfect balance, and different ways to compost whatever your space with this beautiful, infallible guide.

Robert Pavlis, a gardener for over four decades, debunks common soil myths, explores the rhizosphere, and provides a personalized soil fertility improvement program in this three-part popular science guidebook. Soil Science for Gardeners is an accessible, science-based guide to understanding soil fertility and, in particular, the rhizosphere - the thin layer of liquid and soil surrounding plant roots, so vital to plant health.

Overwhelmed by the thought of living off the grid? Feeling uncertain about self-reliance? Think escaping urban life is out of reach? You're not alone, but the truth is—your dream is possible and closer than you think. With the right guidance, living off the grid can be a practical and rewarding lifestyle. 'Off-Grid Homesteading for Beginners' is your ultimate guide to sustainable, eco-friendly living while enjoying financial freedom.

Go Gently is a guide for sustainability at home that offers simple, tangible steps toward reducing our environmental impact by looking at what we consume and the waste we create, as well as how to take action for environmental change. The title reflects Bonnie Wright’s belief that the best way to change our planet and ourselves is through a gentle approach, rather than a judgmental one. This is a book of do’s rather than don’ts. It’s also an invitation to Wright’s followers to join her on this journey to sustainability.

The Backyard Beekeeper, now in its 4th edition, makes the time-honored and complex tradition of beekeeping an enjoyable and accessible backyard pastime for urban and rural beekeepers of all skill levels. With this completer esource and the expert advice of Bee Culture editor Kim Flottum, your bees will be healthy, happy, and more productive.

Start growing a healthy, sustainable garden—even if you’ve never planted a seed before. Overwhelmed by all the gardening advice out there? Companion Planting for Beginners is your simple, no-stress guide to creating a thriving, chemical-free garden from scratch. Discover how to pair plants for natural pest control, better yields, and healthier soil—without needing prior experience. From top plant combinations to balcony gardening tips and budget-friendly strategies, this beginner-friendly book breaks it all down into easy, actionable steps.

Leave the chaos of city life for a true feeling of independence and self-sufficiency. Are you getting increasingly dissatisfied and disillusioned with the nonstop daily grind? If these are your realities, even while being surrounded by the comforts of modern living, you just might be cut out for a wonderful life off the grid! Home Power Magazine says there are close to 200,000 families living off the grid in the United States. Worldwide, the figure is estimated to be around two billion.

You don't have to be an expert to start a thriving, bountiful garden. Any basic guide can show you how. But if you want to figure out how to maximize your crop yield…know how to stretch your growing season beyond traditional limits…and even grow summer crops all year long…basic beginner’s guides won’t be of much help. After all, they’re only meant to cover the basics.

Converting your home to solar energy is one of the best investments you will ever make. You’ve heard that installing solar power reduces the value of your home. Or that your roof will leak if you install solar power. You may even have heard that if solar panels are imperfectly installed, your house will burn down. Don’t believe any of it. They’re just not true.

For Kathi Lipp and her husband, Roger, buying a house in one of the most remote parts of Northern California was never part of the plan; many of life’s biggest, most rewarding adventures rarely are. Kathi shares the hard-won wisdom she’s gained on her homestead journey to help you accomplish more at home, gain fresh perspective, and give yourself grace in the process.

In this four-manuscripts-in-one audiobook, learn the five different ways to preserve your food: canning, freezing, pickling, fermenting, and dehydrating; understand the basics and nuances of smoking meat; learn what root cellars are and how they work; and discover the importance and benefits of fermentation, with 75 healthy recipes to help you make tasty kombucha, sourdough, pickles, and more.