Books

Successful Aging - The result of 10 years of research and thousands of interviews, this book shatters a variety of myths about aging- Researchers found that genetics accounts for only 30% of the physical aspects of aging and 50% of the mental effects, and the older you get, the less important genetics becomes. Their research uncovered lifestyle choices that can dramatically affect the aging process- in spite of a person's genetic makeup.

The Power of Mindful Learning - Ellen Langer takes a look at some of Education's most "sacred cows"- the importance of basic skills, of learning to delay gratification, of intelligence. She looks at what constitutes "critical thinking", at what it means to "pay attention", and suggests that our beliefs are holding us back, way back. She presents simple (but not simplistic) approaches that can allow people to learn in extraordinarily effective ways.

Choosing Simplicity: Real People Finding Peace and Fulfillment in a Complex World - The true stories in this book are inspiring and practical. They show how modest changes in lifestyle can brought these everyday people deeper relationships, a sense of freedom, and peace of mind.

Making Natural Liquid Soaps: Herbal Shower Gels / Conditioning Shampoos / Moisturizing Hand Soaps - Finally, a book on making liquid soaps at home! Recipes for liquid soap, shampoo, dog shampoo, shower gels, and bubble bath. There's a lot of new information here, some of it complicated and technical, but also beautiful and inspiring.

Making Transparent Soap: - Lots of simple step-by-step instructions for making transparent soap using natural ingredients. Includes dyeing & fragrancing ideas, and instructions & illustrations for building inexpensive tools to simplify your soapmaking. It even tells you how to formulate your own opaque & transparent soaps.

Small Production Woodworking for the Home Shop - A good mix of practicality and inspiration. Teaching by example, Pierce visits the workshops of nine successful craftspeople, allowing them to explain and demonstrate not only their production techniques, but also the underlying philosophy and sources of inspiration.

The Soapmaker's Companion: a comprehensive guide with recipes, techniques & know-how - Recipes for vegetable soaps, transparent soaps, natural colors, troubleshooting, and an in-depth look at the chemistry and natural history of soapmaking ingredients.

Nature's Keepers - By Michael Tobias. Endangered species have a lot more to fear than logging companies and housing developments. The real threat, these days, is poaching. Many are sought after because they're rare. Protection, even in the U.S. is nil- equivalent to having three cops for all of L.A.. Tobias gives you the details, and tells what you can do to help.

Hometown Advantage - Do lower prices really save you money? Does having one or more superstores close by improve your quality of life? When you look closer, they don't and it doesn't. This book draws on careful research to document the damage corportate retailers are doing to our lives and our communities. Better yet, it's packed with examples of how communities around the country are changing public policy to reverse the catastrophy.

Street Reclaiming - Did you know that streets were once the center of city life - for people, not for cars? What was once arguably humanity's most successful ever incubator for art, music, love, play, and commerce has been reduced to a smelly, noisy, ugly conduit for traffic. And we all suffer as a result. Not to worry. Engwicht's excellent book tells how to turn the tables on the traffic and reclaim your streets. It's packed full of positive, practical ideas not just for reducing traffic, but for making restoring the street to its rightful place as the "epicenter of community life".

Better Not Bigger - 160 acres an hour. That's how fast we're developing land in the U.S.. And why? Fodor exposes the myths about the benefits of growth and development...and who reaps them. He shows how we've set things up to accelerate sprawl and shows how several communities are putting on the brakes.